Published on: 3/5/2025
Dark red blood in your nasal mucus is often a sign of a small nosebleed caused by things like dryness, injury, or irritation. Dark red blood (rather than bright red blood) indicates older blood.
When you notice dark red blood in your nasal mucus, it suggests that you experienced a nosebleed. Many times, dry air can make the inside of your nose dry and cracked, which causes tiny blood vessels to break. If you accidentally pick your nose or bump it, this can also cause mild bleeding. Sometimes, the blood looks dark red because it has been sitting in your nose for a while before coming out. Over time, the color of blood changes from bright red to a darker red tone. Other reasons for blood in nasal mucus may include infections (like the common cold) or allergies that irritate the nasal tissue. It's important to recognize that while these causes are common and usually not serious, if the bleeding is heavy or you experience nosebleeds frequently, it is a good idea to get checked by a doctor..
(References)
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Gifford TO, Orlandi RR. Epistaxis. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2008 Jun;41(3):525-36, viii. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2008.01.003. PMID: 18435996.
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