Why Does My Nose Bleed When I Drink Alcohol?

You wake up after a night out with friends, rubbing your eyes and groaning at the memory of those tequila shots. As you shake off sleep and scroll through your phone, you feel relieved—until you sit up and notice a warm trickle from your nose. "Seriously? Again? Why does my nose bleed when I drink?"

Can Drinking Cause Nosebleeds?

If you've experienced a nosebleed after drinking, you're not alone. Many people notice next-day nosebleeds following a night of alcohol. Our nasal passages are lined with mucosa—a delicate, blood vessel-rich tissue. Even minor irritations like dry air or a slight scratch can damage this tissue and cause bleeding. The medical term for a nosebleed is epistaxis.

Nosebleeds fall into two main categories:

• Anterior nosebleeds: These occur near the front of the nasal cavity, where several blood vessels lie close to the surface. They're common and often triggered by dry conditions or temperature changes.
• Posterior nosebleeds: These are rarer and more serious, originating from deeper vessels. They may be linked to high blood pressure, medication side effects, or blood disorders, and blood may flow down the throat instead of out the nose.

While alcohol and nosebleeds are both common, they can signal underlying health issues. Let's explore how drinking raises your risk of nosebleeds and what it might mean for your well-being.

Alcohol and Nosebleeds Explained

In the 1990s, researchers at Glasgow Royal Infirmary studied the link between alcohol and nosebleeds. They interviewed 253 people—140 with nosebleeds and 113 without—and published their findings in a study titled "Relation Between Alcohol and Nose Bleeds."

The results were clear: yes, drinking can cause nosebleeds. Key discoveries included:

• Nosebleed patients drank significantly more alcohol per week than the control group (33 units vs. 7).
• Regular drinkers were more common in the nosebleed group (45% vs. 30%).
• Those with nosebleeds were far more likely to have consumed alcohol within 24 hours before the bleed.

The researchers confirmed an association between regular, heavy alcohol use and nosebleeds, and they explained the biological mechanisms behind it.

Causes of Nosebleeds From Drinking

According to the Glasgow team, frequent drinking reduces platelet aggregation, meaning your blood takes longer to clot. Combined with other alcohol effects, this raises your nosebleed risk. Contributing factors include:

• Dehydration: Dry nasal mucosa is a leading cause of nosebleeds. Alcohol dehydrates your body, making nasal tissue more vulnerable to irritation and bleeding.
• Vasodilation: Alcohol widens blood vessels (the "drinker’s nose" effect) and thins the blood, increasing the chance of bleeding.
• Irritation: If you're allergic to alcohol, drinking can cause inflammation that triggers a nosebleed.

In some cases, frequent nosebleeds may point to a serious condition like alcoholic liver disease.

Alcoholic Liver Disease

Recurring nosebleeds can be an early sign of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), which often starts with subtle symptoms like fatigue, appetite loss, and stomach pain. ALD is reversible early on but can progress if untreated.

As liver damage worsens, symptoms become more obvious—jaundice, hair loss, and easy bleeding, including nosebleeds. For many, frequent nosebleeds are the first clue that something is wrong. An estimated 90% of heavy drinkers develop ALD.

Heavy Drinking: Potential Health Risks

ALD can advance to cirrhosis and liver failure:

• Cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver from long-term alcohol damage. Patients often have recurring nosebleeds, which can lead to serious complications like brain changes or gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Liver Failure: When the liver stops functioning properly, it can’t filter waste or produce bile. Nosebleeds may increase and are sometimes mistaken for gastrointestinal bleeding, complicating treatment. Without a transplant, recurring nosebleeds are linked to high mortality rates.

Awareness is key—addressing warning signs like frequent nosebleeds early improves outcomes.

How to Stop an Alcohol-Related Nosebleed

If you have a nosebleed after drinking, follow these steps:

• Lean forward and clear airways: Sit upright and tilt your head forward to keep blood from draining down your throat. Gently blow your nose to remove clots.
• Apply pressure: Pinch both sides of your nose for 10–15 minutes while breathing through your mouth. If bleeding continues, seek medical help.
• Moisturize nostrils: Apply a small amount of Vaseline or Neosporin to the septum (the wall between nostrils). Use ice packs or steam if needed to soothe irritation.

Common triggers include nose picking, dry air, allergies, trauma, blood thinners, and alcohol. Knowing your triggers helps you avoid them.

How to Prevent Nosebleeds After Drinking

Tired of bloody noses? Try these preventive measures:

• Avoid irritating your nose: Don’t pick, blow forcefully, or stuff tissues into your nostrils.
• Use a humidifier: Add moisture to dry air, especially in high-altitude or low-humidity environments.
• Moisturize nasal passages: Ask your doctor about nasal gels or saline sprays to protect delicate tissue.
• Limit or avoid alcohol: If heavy drinking is the cause, consider cutting back or quitting. Support tools like the Quitemate app can help you rethink your drinking habits.

Don’t Ignore a Bloody Nose After Drinking

If nosebleeds become frequent, talk to your healthcare provider. Be honest about your alcohol intake—it could be the root cause. If you're ready to change your drinking habits, Quitemate offers science-backed resources and courses to help you build a healthier relationship with alcohol. Visit the App Store or Google Play to learn more.