{"id":629520,"date":"2024-08-27T09:30:12","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T13:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629520"},"modified":"2025-07-08T16:56:05","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T20:56:05","slug":"can-stress-cause-nosebleeds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/can-stress-cause-nosebleeds\/","title":{"rendered":"Can stress cause nosebleeds?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Picture this: You\u2019re hiking in the Rocky Mountains, enjoying the sight of lush forests, alpine meadows, and sparkling lakes. Enraptured by the view, you don\u2019t notice the blood trickling down your nose until it splatters on your shirt. You\u2019re not surprised, though\u2014dry conditions and high altitude create the perfect environment for a bloody nose. You pinch your nose to stop the bleeding and continue on your way.<\/span><\/p>\n

But sometimes, nosebleeds can come on seemingly out of nowhere. They can even be related to stress. Keep reading to find out exactly how stressful situations contribute to nosebleeds, plus expert-backed strategies to stop and prevent them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can stress cause nosebleeds?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Stress can contribute to nosebleeds, says <\/span>Rizwan Bashir, MD<\/span>, a board-certified neurologist at <\/span>AICA Orthopedics<\/span>. He says the connection lies in how stress affects the entire body. <\/span>\u201cWhen experiencing stress, the body <\/span>responds<\/span> by increasing the production of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol,\u201d says Dr. Bashir. These hormones cause various physiological changes, including increased blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure can strain the delicate blood vessels in your nose, making them more susceptible to ruptures and, consequently, nosebleeds, he explains.<\/span><\/p>\n

This increased fragility can heighten even more when combined with other factors like dry nasal membranes or habitual nose picking, says <\/span>Robert Glatter, MD<\/span><\/a>, a board-certified emergency medicine physician<\/span> and assistant professor of emergency medicine at Northwell Health in New York<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

About <\/span>60%<\/span><\/a> of people will get a nosebleed at least once, with 10% requiring medical intervention. <\/span>Nosebleeds (epistaxis)<\/span><\/a> happen when tiny blood vessels in the mucosa that line your nostrils break or get injured, causing bleeding from one or both nostrils.<\/span> While occasional nosebleeds can happen, you should discuss frequent occurrences with a healthcare professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two types of nosebleeds:<\/span><\/p>\n