Nosebleed while working out: Causes, treatment, when to seek help Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What can cause a nosebleed during exercise and how to treat itMedically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — By Jenna Fletcher on June 29, 2022Nosebleeds, known medically as epistaxis, occur when blood vessels rupture within the nasal mucous. For some people, exercise may aggravate some common causes of nosebleeds. Nosebleeds are generally benign and will stop without the need for medical attention. The most common cause of nosebleeds is drying of the nasal membrane, which exercise may induce. Other several potential causes of nosebleeds include local and systemic causes, environmental factors, and medication side effects. This article explores the causes of nosebleeds and how exercise may trigger or worsen them, which may lead to a nosebleed during a workout. We also consider treatments for nosebleeds and when to seek medical attention. Causes of a nosebleed while working out Share on PinterestPeopleImages/Getty ImagesSome common causes of nosebleeds during exercise are as follows. Dry air Exercising in dry air may contribute to drying out the nasal membrane. Experts indicate that people, particularly children, have a higher rate of nosebleeds in dry, low humidity conditions. While few, if any studies, deal directly with nosebleeds and exercising in a dry environment, it is feasible that performing any exercise that causes someone to breathe more heavily in dry air could worsen the conditions that cause a nose bleed. The air tends to be drier during winter when natural moisture outside is generally lower. Heating indoor areas can also lead to dry air inside. Increase in blood pressure Medical professionals take blood pressure readings using two figures. The first figure is the systolic pressure — the pressure on the heart as it contracts to push blood around the body. The second figure is the diastolic pressure — the pressure in the arteries during the resting period between heartbeats when the heart fills with blood. During exercise, a person’s systolic pressure increases while diastolic pressure tends to drop slightly. This is not an issue for many people, and regular exercise is generally approved to help keep their heart and other systems healthy and functioning normally. However, a 2019 study notes that if a person’s blood pressure regularly goes above 180 mm Hg frequently during exercise, they increase their risk of cardiovascular issues. There is no consensus on whether high blood pressure (hypertension) bears a link to nosebleeds. One 2020 study, which featured 35,749 participants, suggested that patients with hypertension had an increased risk of nosebleeds requiring hospital admission for treatment. If a person’s blood pressure rises significantly during exercise, it is possible they may experience a nosebleed. If no other cause of a nosebleed is apparent, a person may want to speak with their doctor if they regularly experience exercise-induced nosebleeds. Trauma Trauma to the nose can result in bleeding. A person can injure their nose during exercise, for example, through falls, running into things, dropping weights, a snapping fitness band, or receiving an impact to the face with a ball or other object while playing a sport. A person should visit their doctor or emergency room to rule out concussion or other issues after experiencing any trauma to the face or head. Allergens Allergens can contribute to a person experiencing nosebleeds. Therefore, exercising in an allergen-heavy environment could potentially cause a nosebleed. Some tips to help a person avoid allergens when exercising outside include:avoiding exercising on dry and windy days, where pollen and other allergens spread furtherexercising in the morning when dew helps to hold allergens in placeparticipating in less strenuous exercises on high-allergen daystaking allergy medications as prescribed or recommended Other causes of nosebleeds to consider Several factors not necessarily related to exercise can cause a person to experience more frequent nosebleeds. Some common causes of nosebleeds that may sometimes result in a nosebleed during exercise include:a side effect of certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticoagulants, nasal steroid sprays, or certain supplementsharmful drug usemalformations in the blood vessels of the noseexcessive alcohol intakechronic use of nasal tubinga deviated septumcertain blood disorders, such as Von Willebrand’s disease or hemophilia Treatment A person may not need formal treatment when a nosebleed occurs. About 10% of total nosebleed cases require treatment, and most occur in younger children or older adults. Often, a person can stop the bleeding by applying pressure and squeezing the anterior — the part of the nose not surrounded by bone — for about 10 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop or show signs of slowing, a person should visit an emergency room for care. When to speak with a doctor A person should consult a doctor if they experience blunt-force trauma while exercising or participating in a sport. They may need additional care and assessment to check for concussion. A person may also want to talk with a doctor if other causes of a nosebleed during exercise are not obvious, such as running in dry air or exposure to allergens. The nosebleed may result from another underlying cause, such as hypertension, medication side effects, or another issue. Summary Several common factors can cause nosebleeds to occur, which exercise may exacerbate. Common factors include dry air, allergens, and trauma. Other potential causes include medication side effects, alcohol use, and hypertension, which may result in a nosebleed during exercise. People can usually stop a nosebleed by squeezing the anterior nose for around 10 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop or show signs of slowing, a person should visit an emergency room for treatment. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022Blood / HematologyEar, Nose, and ThroatSports Medicine / Fitness 6 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Dry air a common cause of nosebleeds, especially in children. (2022).https://connect.uclahealth.org/2022/02/09/dry-air-a-common-cause-of-nosebleeds-especially-in-childrenKim, I-K., et al. (2019).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6825683Living with allergies. (n.d.).https://aaoallergy.org/patient-resources/patient-resourcestips-exercising-allergiesSabbahi, A., et al. (2018). Peak blood pressure responses during maximum cardiopulmonary exercise testing. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/hypertensionaha.117.10116Tabassom, A., et al. (2022). Epistaxis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK435997What causes nosebleeds and how to stop them. (2016).https://vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu/what-causes-nosebleeds-and-how-to-stop-themFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — By Jenna Fletcher on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about Von Willebrand's disease Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is the most common inherited bleeding condition. It can also result from leukemia, lupus, and the use of some drugs. 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