Here’s The Reason Why There’s Blood In Your Boogers
That crusty, sore schnoz isn’t a coincidence.
Getting out of bed on frigid winter mornings is bad enough without having to deal with a bloody nose on top of it. But with all the harsh breathing were doing during the day in the dry cold air and our tendency to crank up the heat at night, its a pretty common issue.
Bloody mucus and nose bleeds during the winter are a direct result of the weather, says Roheen Raithatha, M.D., an ear, nose, and throat specialist in New York. The drier, colder air can cause cracks in the mucus membranes of the nose, which can lead to exposed blood vessels that can then bleed.
At the same time, the winter air is the culprit behind a crusty nose, too. When those super-dry boogers come out, they can cause tears in your already delicate nostrils. The more you blow to get the snot out, the more likely you are to rupture those teeny blood vessels: the perfect recipe for a bloody, sensitive schnoz.
More From Women’s Health
Unfortunately, those of us with existing nasal, sinus, or allergy issues are more prone to cases of bloody boogers in the winter, says Raithatha. The nasal linings are already inflamed at baseline, and thus, the nose doesnt humidify and moisturize air as well, he says.
If the bleeding is persistent, see your doc. In some cases, theyll actually cauterize the blood vessels in your nose to prevent the problem from getting out of hand.
What Does Snot Color Say About Your Health
Snot color can tell you many things, including whether you have allergies, a nosebleed, a cold or a sinus infection. However, changing snot color is almost a bigger indicator that something is up with your health.
If your snot is changing color, you need to see what else is going on, Dr. Sindwani says. Its the idea that you were doing fine, nothing was bothering you and then something changed. Youll want to look more holistically at what else might have changed. Are you feeling unwell? Did you get a new pet or other significant change in your environment?
However, Dr. Sindwani notes that snot color or changes to snot color is just one sign of a potential health concern. The consistency of your snot could also be a warning sign. If its thicker, that could represent your hydration status, such as being behind in your fluid intake, or having too much dehydrating coffee or sodas, he says.
How much snot youre producing can also be telling. If its more copious, meaning more of it, that might be something thats important to note also, Dr. Sindwani says. That can reflect hydration and for some people, that may reflect an exposure to something that was irritating, like perfume or cigarette smoke. Or it could even represent allergies or an allergic exposure.
Heres the meaning of each snot color:
Bloody Nasal Discharge & Sinusitis Symptoms
Sinusitis describes inflammation of lining of the sinuses, air-filled spaces in the facial bones around the nose and eyes.Thirty million cases of sinusitis are diagnosed annually in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2. A viral infection is the culprit in 90 to 98 percent of acute sinusitis cases — those lasting less than 4 weeks. Bacterial infection develops in no more than 2 percent of cases. Chronic sinusitis, lasting 12 weeks or longer, is rarely due to an infection. Your symptoms and their timing help point to the correct diagnosis, whether its sinusitis or another condition affecting your sinuses.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Also Check: Sore Throat Stuffy Nose Cough
You Blew Your Nose Too Hard
Blowing your honker too hard could bring about bloody nasal discharge.
Here’s why: “The nasal lining is very delicate and has a very robust blood supply,” Dr. Chen says. “And when you blow your nose hard, there’s a rapid and significant increase in blood pressure,” he explains. This sudden rise in pressure can rupture or tear some of the fragile blood vessels, resulting in small amounts of blood in the mucus.
These bloody boogers commonly occur when you’re blowing or rubbing your nose a lot .
âFix itâ: “Generally speaking, this is not a dangerous or concerning situation,” Dr. Chen says. To repair broken blood vessels , try moisturizing your nasal passages using a humidifier, saline nasal spray or saline nasal gels, he says. And take it easy on the tissues going forward
Your Bloody Nose Was Caused By Severe Trauma
Trauma, especially a blow to the head, can make a bloody nose an emergency.
Minor bumps or falls that cause a bloody nose are probably not serious. Major incidents like falling down stairs, sports accidents, and fights can cause a bloody nose that becomes a medical emergency.
A severe injury to the nose may swell and make breathing difficult. You may have a broken nose, a concussion , or a spinal cord injury. It is always best to seek emergency medical care after a major accident.
Recommended Reading: Best Antibiotic For Throat Infection
When Should I Be Concerned About Blood In My Mucus
The mucus that collects at the back of your throat may be the result of a disease or an allergy, but when is the best time to worry about blood in my mucus? Here are three reasons why itâs good to know whether or not youâre having trouble with mucus, so that you can avoid the problem.
The mucus that collects in the back of your throat is called mucus because itâs a thin film that lubricates the throat and allows mucus to drain from the mouth and nose. Mucus also lubricates the throat, preventing it from drying out and therefore causing bad breath. While youâre in the process of flushing out mucus from your nose, mouth and throat, bacteria can collect in your nasal passages, and this could signal an infection.
If blood is present in your mucus, this could mean that youâve developed an allergy. An allergic reaction can result from anything from an allergen to bacteria, and blood in the mucus could indicate that you have a reaction to something in your environment, such as dust, pollen or even mold.
Blood in your mucus could indicate an infection. Bacteria in your system can grow rapidly, and the resulting infection is difficult to treat and often causes scarring. A blood test might be able to tell if you have an infection, and it may help you determine what type of treatment you need. If you have a fungal infection, however, you should see your doctor immediately.
You Have More Than One Nosebleed A Week
If your nosebleeds happen more than once a week, see a healthcare provider. Recurring nosebleeds can be a sign of something more serious, such as:
- High blood pressure
- Immune thrombocytopenia, an autoimmune condition characterized by reduced platelets
- Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, a rare genetic condition
- Certain cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, or nasal and sinus cancer
Don’t Miss: Wilmington Ear Nose And Throat
Blood In Snot When Blowing Nose
The Nose Knows
A red, runny nose is a sign that theres something wrong with your nasal passages. The tissues have become damaged and inflamed from any number of things including allergies or infection but it can also happen when you rub them too much because this irritates the surface layer where oil glands are located which leads to more dryness in addition hurting all around!
Blood In Mucus When Blowing Nose
Nosebleeds are very common, and most of the time they dont need treatment. When you start to notice that your nose is constantly bleeding or has been happening more often than usual then it might be an issue with something else rather than simply being because theres always some sorta bump in this area!
Recommended Reading: Back Of Tongue Bumps Sore Throat
How To Treat A Nosebleed:
- Tilt your head forward so the blood will not run down your throat. Tilting forward also helps you tell when the bleeding has stopped.
- Weak, stringy, jelly-like clots of blood will form. These are not strong enough to stop the bleeding. They keep good clots from forming. Gently blow these weak clots out of your nose.
- Press the sides of the nose together firmly. Nose clips are available to help do this. You may have to hold pressure for five to twenty minutes for the bleeding to stop.
- If holding your nose does not work, try putting an ice pack over the bridge of your nose. The cold will help close the blood vessels.
Why Does Mucus Change Color
You must now know that yellow or green mucus is a clear indicator of you having an infection, but the yellow or green tint isnt due to bacteria.
In instances when you have a cold, the immune system sends neutrophils white blood cells forward to that area. The cells have a green color enzyme, and they accumulate and can turn the mucus in same color.
However, there is a possibility that you may have a clear mucus yet suffer from an infection. This is the case if you likely have other symptoms, like congestion, and pressure on your face, or fever overlying the sinuses.
The snot may also have tints of red or brown indicating blood, more so if the nose dries out or gets irritated from excess rubbing, picking or blowing. Most of the blood mucus in the nose is from the area right inside the nostril. It has the most amount of blood vessels. If there is minute blood in your mucus, it is not something to be worried about however, large volumes of it need a doctors assistance.
Also Check: What Can Cause An Ear Infection
What Causes Sticky Mucus In The Nose
Typically, mucus flows freely through your sinus passages, washing out dust, pollutants, and bacteria.
Then the mucus passes down through your throat and into your stomach, where any irritants or bacteria are disposed. This is a natural process. Most people swallow mucus all day long without even realizing it.
Sometimes, your body needs to produce more mucus than normal to lubricate and cleanse your sinus system. That can mean that the mucus your body produces becomes stickier and rubbery.
This happens because the membranes in your nose run out of moisture to make your mucus watery and clear.
When your mucus is dry and sticky, mucus may begin to accumulate in the back of your throat. This is called postnasal drip. It can feel like a clog or plug in your sinuses.
Here are some common causes of sticky, thick mucus.
Causes Of A Nosebleed
The inside of the nose is delicate and nosebleeds happen when it’s damaged. This can be caused by:
- picking your nose
- blowing your nose too hard
- the inside of your nose being too dry
Nosebleeds that need medical attention can come from deeper inside the nose and usually affect adults. They can be caused by:
- an injury or broken nose
- high blood pressure
- conditions that affect the blood vessels or how the blood clots
- certain medicines, like warfarin
Sometimes the cause of a nosebleed is unknown.
Certain people are more prone to getting nosebleeds, including:
You May Like: Real Gold Hoop Nose Ring
What Causes Mucus With Blood In The Nose
Nasal mucus is supposed to be clear, but it can take on a few different shades depending on what it’s exposed to.
Mucus exists to moisten your nasal passages and trap dust, dirt, and bacteria. If your mucus is green or yellow, it could indicate that you have an infection. If it’s red, it likely signifies the presence of blood.
It’s normal to feel a little alarmed by the presence of blood in your mucus, but the reality is that most causes are completely innocuous and minor nosebleeds like this are rarely serious. In fact, you likely have more to worry about if your mucus is yellow or green, as it means you could have an infection.
Nosebleeds occur when the small blood vessels in the nose become damaged. They are very delicate and it doesn’t take much for them to rupture.
Broken blood vessels can produce varying amounts of blood depending on the extent of the damage and the location. You might have a full nosebleed you might just lose a few drops that become trapped in your mucus.
The blood vessels in your nose can become damaged as a result of nose blowing, nose picking, exposure to dry air, repeated rubbing, and trauma.
If there are streaks of blood in one nostril, there’s usually nothing to worry about. Just refrain from picking your nose, don’t blow too hard, and if your nasal cavity is very dry and irritated, apply some petroleum jelly or use a saline spray.
Is It Ok To Have A Little Blood In Your Mucus
Whether it’s “okay” or not is debatable, as it suggests there is a broken blood vessel somewhere and could also hint at a more serious problem. The vast majority of times, though, a little blood in your mucus is normal.
It’s especially common in people who pick their noses and blow their noses with force. It’s also more common in people suffering from hay fever, nasal congestion, and other sinus issues, as they are more likely to blow, sniff, snort, rub, and generally irritate their noses.
Read Also: Why Is My Throat Always Sore
What Mucus Does For You
Mucus isnt stationary. In fact, mucus is always on the move around your body, in a predetermined pattern. It begins in the sinuses and then travels into your nose, down the back of the nose and throat, and then ends in the stomach.
Dr. Sindwani says if mucus did stay in one place, the bacteria within it could cause infections.
Mucus traps bacteria, he notes, but then it gets pushed away into your stomach. The bacteria can be taken care of there, so it doesnt infect you or harm you in any way. If mucus were to sit around and be stagnant, the bacteria that are in it would continue to proliferate, because mucus is kind of a food for them. This overgrowth of bacteria could then get into your nasal and sinus tissues and cause an infection.
In addition to keeping potential infections at bay, mucus helps your nose function properly. For example, mucus traps chemicals called odorants, which represent different smells, and directs them to your smell receptors which live high up in the nose. That keeps your sense of smell in tip-top shape.
The nose also humidifies and warms the air we breathe with the help of mucus. Mucus mainly adds water or humidification to the air we breathe, so it doesnt dry out our passages or lungs, says Dr. Sindwani.
Bump On Side Of Nose Bridge
The shape of your hips can say a lot about you. Most people inherit the large, pillowy dorsal humps from their parents or siblings they also form after an injury such as car accident that leads to delayed healing in some cases- which means if someone has one these bumps on his/her body it might not be because he was blessed with good genetics but rather due something less fortunate like bad luck!
You May Like: What Helps An Itchy Throat
Blood In Mucus When Blowing Your Nose
Last Updated on September 29, 2020 by
When blowing your nose, it is natural to wonder if there is mucus that will collect and form a film over the nose. The answer to this is no, not necessarily. Mucus will collect on the nose when blowing and the only way to prevent the collection of mucus is to blow.
Mucus is a normal part of the mucous membrane that lines the nose and throat. Mucus is also produced when you are sneezing, when you cough or when a cold virus is present. It is important for those who have a cold sore or flu to keep an eye out for the signs that mucus is forming and blowing your nose will clear up any symptoms of a cold sore or flu.
Mucus is a natural product that is produced when mucus membranes close over a bacterial infection. When this happens, bacteria and other organisms will continue to feed. The mucus will get thick and white and a white film may develop on the nose and throat. This will help clear up any symptoms as the bacteria feeds off of the thick mucus.
The fact that there is mucus collection on the nose while blowing does not mean that one is sick. There are some people who get more sick when they breathe deeply than others. For these people, breathing through a mouthpiece would be best.
The mucus can build up on the nose and throat because it is very difficult to clear it all up unless you keep blowing your nose. It may need to be washed off at least twice a day.
When Its Not Snot
Blood In The Nose Unless trauma is involved, blood in the nose does not usually require medical attention, but can be a recurrent problem due to the high number of blood vessels in the nose. Recurrent or persistent nosebleeds are usually the result of dry nasal mucosa, nose picking, inflammation, allergies, high blood pressure, and/or anticoagulating medications such as Coumadin, Xarelto, Plavix, and aspirin. Management of these variables can often result in decreased nosebleeds. If you have excessive or persistent nosebleeds, it is important to consult an ear, nose and throat specialist. While most nosebleeds stop on their own, some patients require temporary nasal packing or vessel cauterization to address the problem.
Pus Pus is sticky, thick, milky, yellow or green, and often smelly. This substance drains from your nose along with mucus and is often evidence of an infection. Pus contains a high concentration of white blood cells that the body has sent to fight infection, as well as dead cells and pathogen metabolites. Viral and fungal infections can both cause purulence, but they do not always respond to the same medical treatments. If you have pus draining from your nose, especially for more than a week, you should see a doctor.
CornerStone Ear Nose & Throat has offices in Charlotte, NC, Monroe, NC, and Indian Land, SC. Call 704-752-7575 for an appointment to help with sinus infections, sinus problems, environmental allergies and other sinus-related issues.
Read Also: Runny Nose Sore Throat Medicine