Blew My Nose And Blood Came Out

Nosebleeds are usually harmless and easily controlled, but they can look scary. Try not to worry — most nosebleeds are easy to stop.

COVID-19 Symptom: Nose Bleed

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have been studying the various symptoms and complications associated with the illness. One symptom that has recently come to light is nose bleeds. The inside of your nose contains tiny, delicate blood vessels that can become damaged and bleed relatively easily, especially when sick with a cold or virus-like COVID-19.

This article explores the link between COVID-19 and nose bleeding, including the risks, causes, expected duration, and treatment options.

What is the cause of COVID-19 nosebleeds?

While many COVID-19 symptoms affect the nose, the exact link between COVID-19 and nose bleeding is not fully understood. However, it’s thought that the virus may cause inflammation in the nasal passages, which can lead to dryness and irritation. This can make the blood vessels in the nose more susceptible to breaking and cause nosebleeds. COVID-19 could also cause blood clotting issues.

The risk of nosebleeds with COVID is higher in people with a history of nosebleeds, allergies, or chronic sinus problems. While nosebleeds are typically related to other COVID-19 nose symptoms, one study found that nosebleeds were the only symptoms experienced by 15% of people with COVID-19 illness.

COVID testing can also lead to nosebleeds or blood in the nose mucus due to the nasal trauma caused by the swab. Minor trauma to the nasal passage can break fragile blood vessels and cause bleeding. 1

What else can cause nosebleeds?

There can be several other factors that can cause a bloody nose besides the coronavirus. Common causes of nosebleeds include: 2 3

Irritation caused by allergies, colds, sneezing, or sinus problems.
Exposure to very cold or dry air.
Blowing the nose too forcefully or picking the nose.
Injury to the nose, such as a broken nose or an object lodged in the nasal passage.
Previous sinus or pituitary surgery (transsphenoidal).
Deviated septum, which is a shift in the tissue that divides the nose into 2 nostrils.
Chemical irritants, such as medications or sprayed or snorted drugs.
Overuse of decongestant nasal sprays.
Oxygen treatment through nasal cannulas.
Cocaine use, which can cause irritation and damage to the nasal passages through snorting.

Occasionally, bleeding can come from the blood vessels deeper within the nose. This can be caused by a blow to the head, recent nasal surgery, and hardened arteries (atherosclerosis).

How long does a COVID-19 nosebleed last?

The duration of your COVID-19 nosebleed can vary depending on the underlying cause of the nosebleed. In most cases, a nosebleed should stop within a few minutes to an hour. However, seeking medical attention is essential if the bleeding persists or is heavy.

How do you treat COVID-19 nosebleeds?

If you experience a nosebleed, there are a few steps you can take to stop the bleeding: 2

Hold your nostrils tightly shut for at least 10 minutes to control the nosebleed.
Apply pressure to the soft cartilage area of your nose, not the bony part.
Lean your head forward and inhale through your mouth while applying pressure to let the blood exit through the front of your nose and prevent it from flowing down your throat.
After 10 minutes, release your nose and place a wrapped ice pack or frozen vegetable bag over the bridge of your nose for about 10 minutes.
Stand or sit during and up to an hour following the procedure to diminish the blood pressure in your nasal blood vessels, which helps to slow the bleeding.

Wrapping up

While nosebleeds are not a common symptom of COVID-19, they can occur in some cases. If you experience a nosebleed or any other symptoms of COVID-19, it’s crucial to seek medical attention and get tested for the virus. If you have been diagnosed with COVID and experience a bloody nose, remember that they’re often not dangerous and can be managed at home effectively.

FAQs

Q: Is a bloody nose a sign of COVID-19?
A: Yes, there’s a link between COVID-19 and nosebleeds. It’s not a common sign, but many patients have reported nosebleeds with their COVID-19 diagnosis.

Q: Why do you get nosebleeds with COVID-19?
A: While the direct link between COVID-19 and nose bleeding is unknown, patients may experience nasal irritation or dryness from the virus, potentially leading to nosebleeds.

Q: Is it normal to have blood in mucus when blowing my nose with COVID-19?
A: It is common to experience some nasal irritation and dryness when you have COVID-19, which could lead to blood in the mucus when blowing your nose. If you are concerned about blood in your mucus or if it persists, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor.

Q: How can you prevent COVID-19 nosebleeds?
A: To prevent nosebleeds, turn on a humidifier to add moisture to the air and your nasal passages. A nasal saline spray, gel, or rinse can also help moisturize and soothe your nose. Additionally, treating allergies and avoiding nasal trauma, such as scratching or rubbing your nose, can decrease your risk of developing a bloody nose.

Q: Can COVID-19 testing cause nosebleeds?
A: Yes. Getting a nasal swab for COVID-19 testing can cause minor trauma to the nasal lining, which can lead to nosebleeds even in the absence of COVID-19 infection. However, individuals with COVID-19 may be at a higher risk of experiencing nosebleeds after the swab due to the inflammation caused by the virus in the nasal passages.

Share this article:

British Journal of Surgery (2021). 1611 significant epistaxis secondary to COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab. Accessed April 11, 2023.
NHS Inform (2023). Nosebleed. Accessed April 11, 2023.
Medline Plus (2021). Nosebleed. Accessed April 11, 2023.

Nosebleeds

Nosebleeds are usually harmless and easily controlled, but they can look scary. Try not to worry — most nosebleeds are easy to stop.

How Can I Stop a Nosebleed?

Try these simple tips to stop a nosebleed:

Get some tissues or a damp cloth to catch the blood.
Sit up or stand.
Tilt your head forward and pinch your nostrils together just below the bony center part of your nose. Applying pressure helps stop the blood flow and the nosebleed will usually stop with 10 minutes of steady pressure. Don’t stop applying pressure to keep checking if the bleeding has stopped.

If you get a nosebleed, don’t blow your nose. This can cause more bleeding. Also, don’t tilt your head back. This common practice will cause blood to run into your throat. This can make you cough or choke, and if you swallow a lot of blood, you might vomit.

If you’ve tried the steps above twice and the bleeding continues after the second attempt, you’ll need to see your school nurse or a doctor.

After you’ve stopped the initial nosebleed, don’t lift heavy objects or do other activities that cause you to strain, and try not to blow your nose for 24 hours.

Now that your nosebleed is over, let’s take a look at what a nosebleed is and what can cause it.

Different Kinds of Nosebleeds

The most common kind of nosebleed is an anterior nosebleed, which comes from the front of the nose. Capillaries, or very small blood vessels, that are inside the nose may break and bleed, causing this type of nosebleed.

Another kind of nosebleed is a posterior nosebleed, which comes from the deepest part of the nose. Blood from a posterior nosebleed flows down the back of the throat even if the person is sitting or standing. Teens rarely have posterior nosebleeds. They’re more common in older people, people who have high blood pressure, and people who have had nose or face injuries.

What Causes Nosebleeds?

The most common cause of anterior nosebleeds is dry air. A dry climate or heated indoor air irritates and dries out nasal membranes, causing crusts that may itch and then bleed when scratched or picked. Colds may also irritate the lining of the nose. Bleeding may happen after repeated nose-blowing. When you combine a cold with dry winter air, you have the perfect formula for nosebleeds.

Allergies can also cause problems, and a doctor may prescribe medicine such as antihistamines or decongestants to control an itchy, runny, or stuffy nose. The medicine can also dry out the nasal membranes and contribute to nosebleeds.

An injury to the nose may cause bleeding and isn’t usually cause for alarm. If you ever have a facial injury, use the tips outlined earlier to stop the nosebleed. If you can’t stop the bleeding after 10 minutes or you are concerned about other facial injuries, see a medical professional right away.

Nosebleeds are rarely cause for alarm, but frequent nosebleeds might indicate a more serious problem. If you get nosebleeds more than once a week, you should see your doctor. Most cases of frequent nosebleeds are easily treated. Sometimes tiny blood vessels inside the nose become irritated and don’t heal. This happens more frequently in teens who have ongoing allergies or frequent colds. A doctor may have a solution if you have this problem.

If your doctor rules out a sinus infection, allergies, or irritated blood vessels, he or she may order other tests to see why you’re getting frequent nosebleeds. Rarely, a bleeding disorder or abnormally formed blood vessels could be a possibility.

Cocaine (or other drugs that are snorted through the nose) can also cause nosebleeds. If you suspect a friend is using cocaine, try talking about it and get help from a trusted adult.

Can I Prevent Nosebleeds?

When you blow your nose (especially when you have a cold), do so gently into a soft tissue. Don’t blow forcefully or pick your nose.
Your doctor may recommend a cool-mist humidifier to moisten your indoor air.
Keep the inside of your nose moist with saline (saltwater) nasal spray or gel, or dab petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment gently around the opening of the nostrils.
Wear protective athletic equipment when playing sports that could cause injury to the nose.

An occasional nosebleed may make you worry, but there’s no need to panic — now you know what to do!