The effect of hand dominance on recurrent idiopathic paediatric epistaxis

No published data exists to support the belief that nose picking contributes to recurrent idiopathic paediatric epistaxis. If nose picking is implicated then there may be a higher incidence of epistaxis on the side of the dominant hand. The objective of the study was to determine whether nose picking has a significant role in paediatric epistaxis by comparing hand dominance and side of epistaxis.

A prospective, consecutive cohort of new epistaxis referrals to a tertiary paediatric centre over a 14-month period were assessed for hand dominance and reported side of the epistaxis. The presence of septal excoriation, crusting and prominent blood vessels was also recorded.

One hundred and forty-eight new epistaxis referrals.

Dominant hand, side of epistaxis history and side of positive examination findings.

No statistically significant association between hand dominance and either epistaxis history or examination findings was identified. A statistically significant association between epistaxis history and examination findings was identified P < 0.001, K = 0.614, SE 0.571.

The study does not provide evidence to support the belief that paediatric epistaxis is influenced by nose picking. The study provides evidence that patients' epistaxis history and positive examination findings are a consistent marker of previous epistaxis.