Stroke And Bloody Boogers: What's The Connection?

Bloody boogers are usually harmless and may be caused by dry air, allergies, sinus infections, or nose-blowing. However, they can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying health condition, such as an autoimmune disease or a tumour. If you experience persistent bloody boogers, facial pain, or other symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor to rule out any serious medical issues.

Blowing your nose too hard

To prevent bloody boogers, it is recommended to:

• Sleep with a cool-mist humidifier in the bedroom to prevent dryness.
• Avoid behaviours that can irritate the nose, such as blowing it too hard.
• Quit smoking or avoid smoky environments.
• Use saltwater nose drops or spray if recommended by a doctor.

If you experience a nosebleed, you can treat it at home by:

• Sitting down and leaning forward, keeping your head tilted forward.
• Pinching your nose right above the nostrils and holding for 10-15 minutes.
• Breathing through your mouth.
• Applying a cloth-covered ice pack to the top of your nose.

If these measures do not stop the bleeding, you may require hospital treatment.

Dry or irritated nasal passage

• Environmental factors: Dry, cold weather and indoor heating can strip the nasal passages of moisture, leading to dryness and irritation.
• Allergies: Seasonal allergies, such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever), can irritate the nasal tissues, causing dryness and inflammation.
• Medications: Certain medications, like antihistamines and decongestants, are formulated to dry out excess mucus but they can also dry out the nasal passages and sinuses.
• Smoking: Tobacco or marijuana smoke can irritate and dry out the nasal passages.
• Medical conditions: Chronic medical conditions, such as Sjogren's syndrome, can affect the body's ability to produce enough moisture, leading to dry eyes, mouth, and nasal passages.
• Chemical irritants: Exposure to household cleaning products, industrial chemicals, paint fumes, or strong fragrances can irritate the nasal passages and sinuses.

To alleviate discomfort from dry or irritated nasal passages, the following measures can be taken:

• Use a humidifier: Placing a humidifier in your bedroom can add moisture to the air, providing relief to dry nasal passages.
• Saline nasal spray: Nasal sprays can help moisturize the nose and wash away any irritants like dust, dirt, and pollen.
• Damp cloth: Gently wiping the inside of the nose with a damp cloth can help prevent drying and irritation.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids, like water or tea, can help moisturize the nasal passages from the inside out.
• Avoid nose picking: Refrain from picking your nose to prevent damage to the delicate blood vessels and nasal tissues.
• Quit smoking: Smoking dries out and irritates the nasal passages, so quitting can help alleviate dryness.
• Steam inhalation: Inhaling steam from a hot shower or bath, or using a steam bowl, can provide temporary relief by adding moisture to the nasal passages.

Sinus infection

Sinusitis is often triggered by a cold or allergies, and can be treated with over-the-counter decongestants, cold and allergy medications, and nasal saline irrigation. If symptoms persist for more than 10 days, a doctor may need to prescribe stronger medication, such as antibiotics or intranasal steroid sprays.

Bloody boogers are usually not a cause for concern, but they can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying health condition. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience frequent or severe nosebleeds, or if you have other symptoms such as facial pain or difficulty breathing.

Other common causes of bloody boogers include:

• Blowing your nose too hard
• Dry or irritated nasal passages, especially in dry climates or during winter
• Certain medications, such as blood thinners and nasal sprays
• Underlying health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders

Certain medications

The following medications have been linked to an increased risk of nose bleeds:

• Anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs (blood thinners), such as warfarin, Plavix (clopidogrel), Eliquis (apixaban), Savaysa (edoxaban), Pradaxa (dabigatran), and Xarelto (rivaroxaban)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil, Motrin (ibuprofen), Aleve, Naprosyn (naproxen), Bayer, Ecotrin, Bufferin (aspirin), Actron, Orudis (ketoprofen)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (antidepressants)
• Intranasal corticosteroids
• Decongestant nasal sprays, such as Afrin (oxymetazoline)
• Homeopathic medications and supplements, such as Dong Quai, garlic, Feverfew, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and vitamin E
• Illicit drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines

If you suspect that your medication is causing bloody boogers, speak to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe an alternative medication that does not have this side effect.

Underlying health conditions

Bloody boogers are usually harmless and clear up with home care. However, they can sometimes be indicative of underlying health conditions.

• Autoimmune diseases: Some rare autoimmune diseases like granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly called Wegener's) and Sjogren's syndrome can result in bloody boogers.
• Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT): This genetic disorder, also called Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, causes abnormal blood vessels throughout the body, including in the nose, which can lead to nosebleeds and bloody boogers.
• Blood clotting disorders: Any disorder that affects the platelets (the cells that assist in blood clotting) can cause bloody boogers. This includes conditions like hemophilia.
• Heart disease: Heart failure can lead to congestion in the lungs, causing small breaks in the blood vessels and resulting in bloody boogers.
• Cancer: Bloody boogers may be a sign of lung cancer or the spread of other cancers to the lungs.
• Infections: Infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and tuberculosis can lead to mild bleeding and bloody boogers.
• Inflammation: Conditions that cause inflammation in the body and lungs, including autoimmune conditions like lupus or vasculitis, can lead to bloody boogers.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as blood-thinning drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and nasal steroid sprays, can increase the risk of nosebleeds and bloody boogers.

If you experience persistent bloody boogers or have any other concerning symptoms, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Frequently asked questions