Bloody Nasal Discharge & Sinusitis Symptoms

Sinusitis describes inflammation of lining of the sinuses, air-filled spaces in the facial bones around the nose and eyes. Thirty million cases of sinusitis are diagnosed annually in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2. A viral infection is the culprit in 90 to 98 percent of acute sinusitis cases -- those lasting less than 4 weeks. Bacterial infection develops in no more than 2 percent of cases. Chronic sinusitis, lasting 12 weeks or longer, is rarely due to an infection. Your symptoms and their timing help point to the correct diagnosis, whether its sinusitis or another condition affecting your sinuses.

Hallmark Symptoms

Opaque -- as opposed to clear -- nasal discharge is a hallmark symptom of sinusitis. The discharge is typically yellowish or green and may be tinged with blood. The blood is due to minor bleeding from the irritated lining of the sinuses and nose, and usually appears as red to dark brown streaks in the nasal mucus. Frank bleeding, such as occurs with a bloody nose, is not typical of sinusitis. Nasal stuffiness and facial pain, pressure or fullness are other hallmark symptoms of sinusitis, according to April 2015 guidelines published by the American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery 1.

Other Possible Symptoms

Sinusitis can cause additional symptoms in some people. These may include: -- decrease sense of smell and possibly taste -- bad breath -- cough that increases at night -- sore throat -- facial tenderness over the sinuses -- mild fatigue -- pain in the upper teeth -- low fever, usually less than 101 F

Importantly, the presence of these additional symptoms does not help distinguish simple, acute viral sinusitis -- for which antibiotics are not useful -- from the more uncommon bacterial sinusitis.

When To See Your Doctor

Acute viral sinusitis, which typically develops after a cold, will usually go away on its own in about 7 to 10 days. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) might help relieve your discomfort. Nasal saline irrigation might also provide symptom relief.

Sinusitis symptoms that persist could indicate the condition is becoming chronic or a complication has developed, and medical evaluation is needed. Nasal polyps -- noncancerous growths in the nose or sinuses -- are a possibility and can cause periodic bloody nasal discharge. These growths are common among people with chronic sinusitis. Less commonly, cancerous growths of the nose or sinuses can cause sinusitis-like symptoms. In young children, sinusitis symptoms with bloody nasal discharge might be due to a foreign body lodged in the nose, such as a bead or a bean. A high fever in a child or an adult with sinusitis symptoms warrants a visit to the doctor.

Reviewed by: Tina M. St. John, M.D.