Blood in your nasal mucus can have several causes, ranging from minor irritations to more serious conditions. It's crucial to understand the potential causes and when to seek medical attention.
Common Causes of Blood in Nasal Mucus
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Minor Nasal Trauma: Blowing your nose too hard, picking your nose, or even a minor injury to the nasal passages can cause small blood vessels to break, resulting in blood in your mucus. This is often a one-time occurrence and resolves quickly. As noted by WebMD, "Pink or red mucus can be a sign of bleeding in the nasal passages. Blowing or rubbing your nose too hard can cause some blood vessels to break."
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Dryness and Irritation: A dry environment or irritants like dust or smoke can dry out the nasal passages, making them more prone to bleeding. The reference material states that bloody nasal drainage "can be common and due to nasal trauma or dryness".
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Infections: Viral or bacterial infections in the nose and sinuses can cause inflammation and bleeding. This is supported by GoodRx, which notes that "Blood in mucus is commonly caused by infection or inflammation." If your phlegm is tinged with blood, it could be a sign of infection, as stated by Verywell Health.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While minor bleeding from nasal irritation is usually harmless, you should consult a doctor if:
- Bleeding is recurrent or heavy: Persistent bloody nasal mucus warrants immediate medical evaluation, as suggested by the initial reference stating that "Medical attention should be sought in these settings." (referring to recurrent or heavy blood presence).
- You experience other symptoms: Along with bloody mucus, symptoms like fever, severe headache, facial pain, or difficulty breathing could indicate a more serious underlying condition.
Less Common but Serious Causes
In rare cases, blood in nasal mucus can be a symptom of more serious conditions, such as:
- Nasal polyps or tumors: These growths can cause bleeding and require medical attention. Cancer Research UK mentions bloody mucus as a symptom of nasal and paranasal sinus cancer.
- Blood clotting disorders: Certain blood disorders can increase the risk of bleeding.
- Heart or lung disease: In rare instances, blood in the mucus can be a sign of more serious conditions involving the heart or lungs. GoodRx also points out that it "can also be a sign of blood clots, heart disease, or cancer."
Remember: This information is for general knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
