Blood in mucus is commonly caused by infection or inflammation. But it can also be a sign of blood clots, heart disease, or cancer. Most of the time, blood in mucus is caused by minor irritation in the airways. But there are ways to know if it's a sign of something serious that needs emergency medical care.
Coughing up blood, even in small amounts, can be alarming. But producing sputum with a small amount of blood in it isn't uncommon, and it usually isn't serious. But if you're coughing up blood often or in large amounts, call 911 or seek emergency care.
Red or pink. Red or pink snot means blood, but don't be alarmed. “Blood in your mucus is most often caused by irritation of the nasal tissues. This often occurs with viral infections or allergies due to frequent nose blowing or use of nasal sprays that may cause the tissues to become dry,” Alyssa said.
Bloody mucus in stool or mucus along with belly pain may signal a more serious condition, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and even cancer. Sahil Khanna, M.B.B.S., M.S.
Dried airways can affect the nose, larynx and pharynx and cause coughing up phlegm with blood. This dryness can be a result of a cold, flu or allergy, or as a result of persistent coughing or sneezing. It leads to irritation of the mucosa that lines the airways, leading to micro wounds and scant bleeding.
If you have small streaks of blood in your mucus and feel well otherwise, you can get checked out at a primary care provider's office. For anything more than small streaks of blood, it's a good idea to get checked out sooner rather than later. There are some signs that mean bloody mucus is an emergency.
If you cough up phlegm into your mouth, it won't hurt you to swallow it. Some people find that this makes them cough or it feels like it gets stuck in their throat. Or, it just feels gross. In that case, it's perfectly OK to spit out phlegm — as long as you're being considerate of other people while doing it.
The blood may come from the lungs, stomach, or throat. You may cough up a few thin streaks of bright red blood. This probably is not a cause for concern. Coughing up large amounts of bright red blood or rust-coloured mucus from the lungs can be a symptom of a more serious condition.
If your mucus is tinged red or brown, it's blood (if it's black, it's likely dust or dirt). Blood in your mucus could result from frequent nose blowing or breathing very dry air. If you see a lot of blood in your mucus, tell your doctor. Stuffy sinuses are uncomfortable.
Examples include menstruation, irritation, infection, birth control, ovarian cysts, and hormone imbalances. It can also be due to implantation bleeding, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and lochia. If a person notices changes in their vaginal discharge, it is best to contact a doctor for advice.
Defne Aksoy
