Why do I have blood in my mucus when I blow my nose?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have suffered from a problem at the back of my nose for at least 10 years. Sometimes I will get a build up of lots of mucus quite a lot (which I am guessing is from acid reflux which I suffer from) and have to clear my throat. I also get an irritating feeling, a bit tickly maybe, at the back of my nose (not throat) and feels like something is making it feel heavy or maybe inflamed or swollen but not sore. I also occasionally get a funny taste in my mouth. I feel like there is a cyst of some sort and keeps bursting. I also have blood in my mucus when I blow my nose, and it can be dry and mainly blood. I previously went to see an ent doctor around 10 years ago, and he thought it was rhinosinusitis and gave me steroid spray, which helped for a while. It is making me very anxious as it makes me feel like I need to keep clearing my throat and cough. I have been given nasal spray from my doctor, but I think I need a sinus colonoscopy to check what is going on.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your symptoms do suggest like it is rhinosinusitis. It is a chronic problem, and the use of sprays for a small duration will not completely relieve you of the problem. Similar complaints Wil also be present due to acid reflux. I hope you are on proper medications to reduce the reflux. Coming to the issue at the back of your nose, is there any other nasal symptom? Like a reduced sense of smell, regular or recurrent discharge from the nose dripping into the throat? Nose block or running nose or sneezing or itching of eyes or nose or watering of eyes? Do you have any allergy? Do you stay at a polluted area and expose your self to harmful fumes or smoke or dust or pollen? Any seasonal or diurnal variation to your problems? For the time being, I would like to put you on a steroid spray, to be taken two puff in each nasal cavity twice daily. Couple it with an antihistamine like Allegra (Fexofenadine) or Claritin (Loratidine) taken once daily in the evening. Take these two for two weeks and subsequently continue the sprays. Review with us after a week so that we can advise you further. You may require a CT scan of nose and PNS to check if there is any polyp or mucosal hypertrophy or nasal mass that is causing the problem. When you venture outside, try wearing a mask. Take plenty of fluids and warm water. Keep the room sufficiently moist as due to dehydration, the nasal mucosa does not function well. Do revert back with all the details. Do attach any previous blood or radiological investigations so that we can have a better idea.