Can blood thinners cause nosebleeds?

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Nosebleeds are very common and occur when the fragile blood vessels in the nose are irritated. Blood thinners can cause or worsen nosebleeds. The blood thinners make clotting more difficult; therefore, it may take longer to stop nosebleeds when someone is on blood thinners.

Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine

Yes, blood thinners cause just that, a thinning of the blood. Once bleeding starts it can make bleeding harder to stop. And areas of the body where small vessels are closer to the skin, such as in your nose, are more predisposed to opening up to the environment and bleeding.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Nose Disorders

Your nose plays a very important part in maintaining your health. As you breathe it filters out the bad stuff in the air like dust and germs. It also moistens the air as you breathe so that your lungs stay hydrated and healthy. You can be miserable if your nose is injured or irritated, whatever the cause. Nose disorders can range from a simple nosebleed or a runny nose that can be treated at home to more serious disorders such as nasal polyps (growths) or a deviated septum (a twist in the wall that separates the two sides of your nose) that may require surgery. Whatever the cause of your nose problem, it's important to know that you can usually be helped by seeing an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor.

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