A bloody sneeze involves blood mixed with mucus or streaks of blood expelled from the nose. While unsettling, it often stems from minor, non-serious causes. The nasal passages contain delicate blood vessels that are easily disrupted. This is usually not a serious health issue.
Understanding the Cancer Connection
Bloody sneezes are rarely a symptom of cancers affecting the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, or nasopharynx. If cancer is present, bloody sneezes are usually not the only sign and are accompanied by other persistent symptoms. For example, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers may cause a blocked nose on one side that doesn’t resolve, persistent nosebleeds, or consistently bloody mucus.
Other signs of these rare cancers include ongoing facial pain or numbness, especially in the upper cheek, and vision changes like double vision or a bulging eye. A persistent lump or growth on the face, nose, or roof of the mouth, or swollen lymph nodes in the neck, may also be present. Nasopharyngeal cancer may also lead to hearing loss, ringing in the ears, or a feeling of fullness in one ear. These cancers are rare, and these symptoms are more often linked to other, less serious conditions.
Other Common Causes of Bloody Sneezes
Most bloody sneezes are benign and relate to the delicate nasal lining. Dry air, especially in colder months or heated indoor environments, can irritate and dry nasal passages. This dryness makes tiny nasal blood vessels more fragile and prone to breaking during a sneeze.
Physical irritation, like nose picking or direct trauma, can easily rupture these superficial blood vessels. Upper respiratory infections like the common cold, flu, or sinusitis cause inflammation and swelling of nasal membranes. This inflammation makes blood vessels more susceptible to bleeding when sneezing or blowing the nose forcefully.
Allergies, including hay fever, cause irritation from allergens and frequent sneezing or nose blowing. Repeated pressure and friction can damage the nasal lining, causing small amounts of blood to appear. Forceful sneezing or nose blowing generates significant pressure that can rupture capillaries, resulting in visible blood.
Exposure to chemical irritants or smoke can dry and inflame nasal passages, increasing bleeding likelihood. Certain medications, especially overuse of some nasal sprays, can dry nasal membranes. Blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin or warfarin, can increase nosebleeds or bloody sneezes. In children, a foreign object in the nasal passage is another possible cause.
When to Consult a Doctor
Consult a doctor if bloody sneezes become persistent or worsen. This includes blood continuing for more than a few days or weeks, or if the frequency and volume increase. Consult a doctor if bloody sneezes occur with other concerning symptoms. These include unexplained weight loss, chronic facial pain, or persistent nasal blockage affecting only one side of the nose.
Other red flags include changes in vision or hearing, or recurrent nosebleeds not clearly linked to minor trauma or dryness. If the amount of blood is significant (more than streaks or small spots), or if episodes are frequent without an obvious benign cause, seek medical advice. Any symptom causing significant distress or interfering with daily activities warrants a medical opinion to determine the underlying cause.