Have you ever experienced the strange sensation of smelling blood in your nose without actually having a nosebleed? It can be a perplexing and unsettling experience, leaving you wondering what could be causing this unusual scent. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons behind this phenomenon and provide some insights into the potential underlying causes. Whether you have noticed this smell only once or it is a recurring occurrence, understanding the possible explanations can help you gain clarity and alleviate any concerns. So, let’s dive in!
Dry Nasal Passages
When your nasal passages are dry, you don’t have enough mucus to keep them moist. Mucous membranes inside your nose work to moisten the air you breathe. This is important because dry air can be tough on your respiratory system.
There are lots of reasons why your nasal passages might be drying out:
- Seasonal changes in humidity levels
- Overuse of OTC nasal decongestants
- Allergies
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
People are more likely to have dry nasal passages if they live in dry climates or use central heating consistently during the winter. When starting a new indoor heating season, it can take a while for your body to adjust. If you recently began using your heater again after a long break, this may be the cause of your dry nose.
Dry Air and Nosebleeds
There are two primary reasons why dry air causes nosebleeds: direct exposure and dehydration.
The lining of your nose is delicate. When exposed to harsh conditions like cold temperatures or low humidity levels, the skin can crack. On the other hand, dehydration weakens these blood vessels. This combination makes it more likely for someone with dry nasal passages to get a nosebleed.
What Should I Do?
Increasing the humidity inside your home is a great way to relieve your dry nasal passages. The easiest way to do this is by getting a humidifier. Aim for a level between 30-50% humidity. Making sure you drink enough water can also help prevent dehydration that leads to nosebleeds.
If you think that an overuse of OTC decongestants might be drying out your nasal passages, switch to a saline spray. These sprays and rinses can help you remove excess mucus from your sinuses and moisturize them at the same time.
Sometimes, practicing proper sinus irrigation simply isn’t enough when dealing with stubborn sinus congestion and recurring nosebleeds.
Surgical Solutions
To get relief from both chronic nosebleeds and sinus congestion, consider endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Before the surgery, Dr. Chung will examine your sinuses using a fiberoptic scope and perform a CT scan. If he determines that ESS is right for you, he will use an endoscope to reach the affected areas without making any incisions in your face.
The goal of ESS is to remove any obstructions in your sinuses and widen the openings leading into these four cavities. As an added bonus, ESS will also help you smell and taste better.
Environmental Factors
The environment around you can affect your sense of smell and the scents you encounter on a day-to-day basis. Unsurprisingly, the most common environmental factor that causes you to smell blood in your nose without a nosebleed is exposure to unpleasant scents.
Exposure to Strong or Unpleasant Odors
Your nose is the first line of defense against any unwanted smells you may encounter. Certain pungent or foul odors can irritate your nasal passages or trigger moments of hyposmia.
If you’re smelling a strong, offensive odor, then blood in the nose may simply be one of many scents that can trigger a similar response. However, if the scent of blood triggers other physical symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, or fainting, you may need to seek medical attention.
High Floral Counts
Although pollen allergies are typically associated with sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes, they can sometimes cause you to smell blood in your nose without a nosebleed.
The sinuses are cavities that sit on either side of the nasal cavity. They’re usually filled with air. When they become blocked with mucus, they can fill with bacteria and become infected. This infection is often referred to as sinusitis.
Sinus infections can cause a runny nose and a host of other symptoms, including hyposmia. During allergy seasons, however, experiencing a decreased sense of smell may be your first sign that there is too much inflammation or mucus in your sinus cavities.
Inflammation from Smoke
Smoke is another common environmental factor that leads to hyposmia or parosmia. Burns and chemical irritants in smoke can damage the olfactory receptors in the nose. Once damaged, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to detect certain scents or it becomes easier for them to detect unpleasant scents.
This is why people who smoke often have difficulty smelling food after a cigarette. Even non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke may experience similar symptoms.
Sinus Infections
Your sinuses are hollow cavities that surround your nose and help warm, moisten and filter air as you breathe. They also produce mucus, which helps protect you from viruses and bacteria.
Infections and allergies can cause sinuses to swell. As they swell, the openings between your sinuses and nose get blocked. The trapped mucus gets stuck in your sinuses, causing pressure and pain. You might also experience other symptoms like:
- Headache
- Stuffy nose
- Runny nose
- Weakness or fatigue
- Cough
- Fever
If you have a chronic sinus infection, these symptoms might persist for over 12 weeks, even with treatment.
An infection could cause the swelling, which could cause the blood in your mucus. A nosebleed could occur if the infection causes damage to the lining of your sinus or nasal cavity.
Treatment for a sinus infection starts at home with rest and over-the-counter decongestants. If it’s bacterial or severe, you might need a prescription for antibiotics. If it’s fungal or chronic, your doctor might recommend surgery.
When my sinus infections got so bad that I couldn’t taste anything anymore for months on end, I knew I wanted to try something else. My doctor had been treating my infections with antibiotics for nearly two years at that time.
I had a CT scan of my sinuses which showed I had chronic pansinusitis—a type of sinusitis that affects all of the sinuses on both sides of your face. My surgeon said it was one of the worst cases of it he’d seen in 20 years. I ended up having surgery to clean out my sinuses, which is called Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS). It’s performed under anesthesia where the surgeon uses a lighted instrument placed through your nostrils to see into your sinus cavities while gently removing some of the tissue or bone around the sinuses.
If you think you have a sinus infection but can’t get to see your doctor right away, here are some things my doctor recommends:
- Use a humidifier
- Rinse your nasal passage with saline, especially before bed. A neti pot or squeeze bottle will do.
- Stay hydrated
Allergies and Irritants
When we have an allergy, our immune system may respond even though it is not in danger. This can cause irritation and inflammation in the nose, leading to a runny nose, sneezing and other symptoms. If you experience a bloody nose or blood smell in the nose, you may be having an allergic reaction.
Dry air
Because the inside of your nose is wet, dry air can make your nose feel unusual. Breathing dry air for a long time can dry out the tissue in your nostrils, causing pain and irritation. Dry air can even cause your nose to bleed. A humidifier will add moisture to indoor air to keep your nasal passages comfortable. You can also apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or saline gel to your nostrils to keep them moist.
Nasal Moisturizers
Nasal moisturizers are a great way to add moisture back into your nose and stop bleeding or irritation. These products come in spray or gel form and have many of the same benefits as a humidifier, only topically. There are several over the counter nasal moisturizers you can purchase at your local drug store. If you need an advanced prescription grade product you could ask your doctor for Breathe Easies Nasal Gel.
Common Allergens
If you have allergies, common allergens can trigger your symptoms and cause excess mucus production. Common allergens include:
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Animal dander
- Mold spores
- Cockroach droppings
- Perfume and Fragrance
Allergies may be year round which means you are allergic to things like mold spores or dust mites, or seasonal which means you are allergic to things like pollen. Allergies are very common, and about 30% of people experience allergy symptoms at some point in their life.
Inhaled Irritants
Inhaled irritants like smoke, strong odors or pollution can create irritation in the nose that feels like a blood smell. Inhaled irritants are found in several places including:
- Cigarette smoke
- Cleaning products (i.e: bleach)
- Perfume/Cologne
- Latex Products
- Air pollution
- Chemicals or fumes at work
- Fertilizer/pesticides/other chemicals used for gardening
- Cooking fumes
- Gases such as chlorine, ammonia and others used for cleaning, pools/sewage/sewage treatment plants.
Medications and Supplements
Some types of medication can lead to unusual scents in your nose.
Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can interfere with your sense of smell, says the Cleveland Clinic. When this happens, you may experience odd or strong odors inside your nose.
Here are some of the medications that may impact your sense of smell:
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants
- Estrogen and hormones
- Pain relievers
- Decongestants
Azithromycin
Azithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. The medication may cause a change in your sense of smell or a loss of smell as a rare side effect. Rare side effects occur in less than 1% of patients.
In theory, azithromycin causes these olfactory changes by directly irritating or damaging your olfactory cells. When this happens, you may notice changes in the way things smell or perceive unusual smells.
Azithromycin can also have other side effects. Common side effects include diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain. Talk to your doctor if you develop any bothersome side effects while taking azithromycin.
Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oil supplements are a common source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids found in high amounts in fatty fish. They’re important for cognitive function, immune system function and heart health.
Sometimes people who take fish oil supplements develop a fishy body odor or sweat that smells like fish. This is common when taking high doses of fish oil – more than 3 grams per day, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Since the recommended daily allowance for omega-3s is only 1 to 2 grams per day, it’s easy to go overboard on these supplements.
To help reduce the risk of fishy body odor while taking fish oil supplements, choose supplements with a lower dose. You can also use enteric-coated supplements and take them at bedtime.
Psychological Factors
There are certain psychological factors that can make a person believe they are experiencing abnormal smelling disorders.
Phantom Smells
Also known as phantosmia, phantom smells are conditions where a person senses smells that aren’t actually present. This can be caused by a variety of factors including infection, allergies and head trauma.
In cases such as phantosmia, a person may think they are detecting the smell of blood in their nose without any present sinusitis or congestion. Phantom smells can change from detection to detection, with some people experiencing sweet, foul, metallic or sour smells. It’s important to see a doctor if you experience these phantom smells frequently and without explanation.
Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety disorder can also cause you to have physiological sensations that your body is under attack. This means people with anxiety may also believe the phantom smells they experience are of particular concern to their health.
Anxiety and stress can also lead to heightened sensitivities to certain stimuli. This means you may feel like your senses are overwhelmed and you’re more likely to detect the smell of blood in your nose when really the situation doesn’t call for it.
Psychosomatic Symptoms
When we experience a physical sensation like the smell of blood in our nose, there is an almost immediate fear response. Psychoaomtic symptoms occur when we believe we are showing physical symptoms due to a psychological stressor like anxiety, anger or frustration.
The various forms of somatic symptom disorders can produce symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension and stomach problems. Symptoms of these disorders often don’t have a medical diagnosis but may result from other mental health issues.
As such, some individuals who believe they have a smell of blood in their nose without any accompanying health issue may actually have some form of somatic symptom disorder.
Nasal Polyps
Polyps develop when chronic inflammation causes the tissues lining the sinuses to swell and grow out of the inside of the nose. They’re typically soft, noncancerous and can vary in shape or size, but they’re usually still small enough to not cause any issues.
But if they grow larger or an infection sets in, you might notice more severe symptoms such as an obstructed nasal passage, a decreased sense of taste and smell, facial pressure or pain, snoring, frequent sinus infections and a runny nose.
If this happens, you may need to go see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist to discuss treatment options. They may want to do a nasal endoscopy to get a better look at what’s going on in your nasal passages. Depending on what they think will work best for you, they might recommend prescription medications, allergy shots or surgery.
Medications alone may help shrink the polyps and reduce swelling. The most common medications prescribed are corticosteroids such as mometasone (Nasonex), budesonide (Rhinocort) and fluticasone (Flonase), which are all nasal sprays. If the sprays don’t do anything for you, corticosteroid pills will be the next course of action.
Allergy shots are effective if you have these polyps because of environmental allergies such as pollen or dust. People with nasal polyps usually have asthma or allergies as well.
If the polyps don’t respond to either medications or shots, your doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The surgery is typically performed using general anesthesia. A thin, lighted tube with a camera is inserted through your nostrils and sinuses so the surgeon can remove the polyps.
If you have severe cases of EDS such as cystic fibrosis or asthma, you may need to consider other options such as aspirin desensitization treatment. You will be given a therapy that increases the amount of aspirin you can tolerate so you can take higher doses that won’t trigger an allergic reaction.
Underlying Health Conditions
Most cases of blood in the nose are benign, but there are a few conditions that cause this symptom. If the symptom occurs frequently, is associated with other symptoms or is severe, it may be necessary to consult with a healthcare provider.
Nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are soft, noncancerous growths that develop in the nose of certain individuals. They can be caused by chronic inflammation, allergies, asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic sinus infections. Polyps usually cause symptoms such as congestion, drippy nose and decreased sense of taste or smell.
Nasal tumors
Most growths in the nose are polyps or benign tumors related to allergies or other conditions. There are also several types of cancer that can involve the nose or the sinuses. These cancers are rare and tend to cause other symptoms first, like difficulty breathing or swallowing, frequent sinus infections, eye pain or numbness in the face.
Blood disorders and excessive bleeding
Conditions like leukemia and hemophilia can result in unexplained bleeding, including nosebleeds. Other symptoms of these disorders include fatigue, easy bruising, frequent infections and prolonged bleeding following an injury.
High blood pressure
An increase in blood pressure can cause damage to the capillaries and blood vessels in the nose. Chronic hypertension may lead to frequent nosebleeds or a metallic taste in the mouth without evidence of bleeding.
Medications
There are several medications that can cause nosebleeds as a side effect. Nasal sprays with corticosteroids or antihistamines can dry out the nasal passages enough to cause bleeding. Some anticoagulant medications can also increase your risk of bleeding.
Other causes
Some other conditions that may be associated with blood in the nose include:
- Cocaine use
- Trauma
- End-stage liver disease
- Pregnancy
There are also a few other less common causes for this symptom. If you continue to have this issue or it worsens it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional so you can get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
In conclusion, smelling blood in your nose without a nosebleed can be a puzzling experience, but it usually has a harmless explanation. From dry nasal passages and environmental factors to sinus infections and even psychological factors, there are various reasons why you may perceive the scent of blood without any visible bleeding. If this issue persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is always a good idea to consult with a medical professional. They can provide a proper diagnosis, offer guidance on managing the symptoms, and rule out any underlying health conditions. Remember, understanding the potential causes can bring peace of mind and help you address the issue effectively. Stay aware and take care of your nasal health!
