Why There’s Blood in Your Nose When It’s Not Bleeding

Anna Giorgi
·7 min read

Medically reviewed by Jordana Haber Hazan, MD

Having blood appear in your nasal mucus can be a nuisance and troubling. While most causes of blood in your nose are not severe, knowing why it happens can help you avoid a more serious problem. It can also help prevent the issue from becoming a full nosebleed (epistaxis) with active bleeding.

Blood in your nose can occur from mundane causes like picking or blowing your nose. External factors such as certain drugs, chemicals, and trauma can also trigger light bleeding that remains in your nostrils. Rather than active nosebleeds, these habits can result in minor problems like "bloody boogers" and blood-streaked nasal mucus.

However, any ongoing sign of blood in your nose should not be ignored if it persists, leads to heavy bleeding, or occurs with other symptoms.

This article describes blood in nasal mucus without nosebleeds. It explains the causes, when it can be serious, and the types of treatment.

<p>ljubaphoto / Getty Images</p>

ljubaphoto / Getty Images

Nose Mucus and Blood: What's the Link?

Nose mucus traps dirt, bacteria, and other debris, such as dried blood, in the nasal passages. This sticky substance also helps keep the nasal tissue moist.

Your nasal passages are rich in very sensitive blood vessels that bleed easily when damaged or irritated. A combination of nose mucus and blood is typically a sign that irritation has caused small breaks in the delicate blood vessels that line your nasal passages.

The following factors can cause this sensitive tissue to bleed, resulting in dried blood that remains in your nasal cavity and exits your nose as blood-tinged mucus or bloody boogers:

Occasionally, blood in the nose can indicate an undiagnosed health condition. Any disorder that affects the platelets (the cells that assist in blood clotting) can cause blood in the nose. This can also occur if you take anti-platelet drugs or anticoagulants (blood thinners).

Another cause may be hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). This genetic disorder, also called Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, causes abnormal blood vessels throughout your body. While HHT affects everyone differently, it can cause nosebleeds and blood in your nose when it affects the blood vessels there.

Blood From Nose (Without Bleeding) and Other Symptoms

Blood from your nose without bleeding can involve other symptoms that may help identify the source of the blood or conditions that may be contributing to the problem.

Blood from your nose may be more than a minor problem when it occurs with any of the following:

  • Fainting or weakness

  • Progression to a nosebleed that can't be stopped

  • Severe pain that does not improve within two hours after taking pain medicine

  • New swelling, deformity, or misalignment of your nose

  • Fever, yellow nasal discharge, redness, or other signs of infection

  • A recent cut in the skin

  • Difficulty breathing



How Much Blood From Your Nose is Normal?

It can be hard to determine just how much blood is coming from your nose. A small amount can seem like a lot when your blood mixes with nasal mucus and other fluids.

Generally, if you can stop the blood from your nose with a few tissues or paper towels, it is not likely a cause for concern. However, a constant flow of blood or blood that feels like a leaky faucet can become serious.

If you have a constant flow of blood from your nose, use a container to catch it so you can measure the amount of blood you're losing. A nosebleed that triggers enough blood loss to fill a cup requires immediate medical attention.



Substances Associated With Blood in Nose

Several substances are associated with causing blood in your nose. The bleeding is typically mild to moderate, often spontaneously reversing. Very mild cases may not appear as active bleeding but produce small amounts of blood that remain dry and crusted in your nasal passages until the debris is released with mucus.

The substances associated with blood in your nose include:

Certain medications:

Fumes from irritating chemicals:

Herbal and dietary supplements:

Drugs and other chemicals that are commonly snorted :

When Is Blood in Nose Without Bleeding Serious?

It can be difficult to determine whether blood in your nose without bleeding is a serious problem. Contact a healthcare provider if you have blood in your nose with any of the following circumstances:

  • A large amount of blood

  • Repeated episodes of bleeding in your nose without bleeding

  • An injury to your head or face

  • Feelings of weakness, faintness, and/or nausea

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Bleeding in other parts of your body, such as in your urine, stool, or gums

  • Skin that easily bruises

  • An object lodged in your nose

  • Consistent nasal bleeding that lasts for 20 minutes

  • Blood flowing into your mouth

  • Pre-existing hypertension (high blood pressure)

Learn More: When to Worry About a Nosebleed

How to Stop Blood From Coming Out of Nose

Most minor problems with blood from your nose can be treated at home without medical care. These strategies can help prevent damage to the delicate blood vessels inside your nasal passages:

  • Use a humidifier when sleeping, especially during the colder months when home heat can make the air very dry.

  • Use a saline (saltwater) nasal spray or gel to keep your nasal passages moist.

  • Avoid picking your nose. Clip your fingernails to avoid bleeding if you can't break this habit.

  • Quit smoking or don't start. Smoking dries out your nasal passages and irritates them.

  • Open your mouth when you sneeze to reduce the pressure in your nasal passages.

  • Talk to a healthcare provider about changing medications that may be causing blood in your nose.

If you continue to find blood in your nose and it erupts into an active nosebleed, follow these steps:

  1. Lean slightly forward and tilt your head down to prevent blood from running into your throat.

  2. Do not swallow the blood. Spit out blood that enters your mouth.

  3. Use your thumb and index finger to squeeze together the soft portion of your nose between the end and the hard, bony bridge of your nose.

  4. Keep holding your nose until the bleeding stops. Don't release it for 15 minutes.

  5. Spray your nose with a decongestant nasal spray like Afrin (oxymetazoline), which constricts blood vessels and slows bleeding.

  6. After the bleeding stops, put a thin layer of nasal gel or antiseptic cream inside your nose.

  7. Wait a few hours before bending over, blowing your nose, or doing anything to irritate your nasal passages.

  8. If heavy nasal bleeding persists after 15 to 20 minutes of direct pressure and self-care, contact a healthcare provider.

Summary

Blood in your nose that occurs without a nosebleed is usually not a cause for concern. It often happens for many of the same reasons that trigger nosebleeds.

Most symptoms of blood in your nose without bleeding can be addressed with minor changes. Using a humidifier to moisten dry air, avoiding picking your nose, and working to find options for drugs that trigger bleeding may correct the problem.

In some cases, blood in your nasal mucus may be a sign of a health problem that requires treatment. Do not ignore persistent blood from your nose. Contact your healthcare provider if the bleeding becomes heavy, causes pain, or shows signs of illness or injury.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.