Allergic Rhinitis, a Common Cause of Recurrent Epistaxis in Children

Abstract

Recurrent epistaxis is common among children, but there is little fundamental knowledge of its pathogenesis. It is generally accepted that epistaxis most commonly results from irritation of the nasal mucous membrane from rhinitis (e.g., common cold) and/or digital trauma.¹Although chronic or recurrent rhinitis is commonly allergic in origin and the "allergic salute" (nasal rubbing) is a known source of trauma to the nose, allergic rhinitis as a common cause of recurrent epistaxis has not been fully appreciated. Little reference to the association of the two conditions is to be found in standard textbooks or in periodical literature. The frequency with which nasal bleeding was noted among children attending the allergy clinic of Saint Christopher's Hospital for Children prompted a study of the causative relationship of allergic rhinitis to epistaxis. The incidence of nasal bleeding in 100 consecutive children with known allergic rhinitis was compared with that in two