About two months ago I had to go to ER for an early morning (3AM) nose bleed that I couldn't stop at home. I woke up with the condition from an otherwise sound sleep. I suffer from night time nasal congestion and frequently use an Afrin-type nose spray once at bedtime... I also use saline spray and try to get by using just that for a few nights - not sure what I used the night of the nose bleed. I also note I am on Coumadin (blood thinner) due to a heart condition. I have no history of nose bleed problems, and have no previous occasions that I sought medical help to stop.
The ER doctor had to use a "Rhino Rocket" (a balloon inflated in the nasal passage) in my left nostril to stop the bleeding. My personal ENT removed the balloon a couple of days later, introduced me to an over-the-counter aid called NasalCease, which I now carry in my wallet for just-in-case... I have not had to use.
With the above background I have noted in recent days, perhaps as many as ten, that when I give my nose a hard blow the left side may release some bloody looking mucus, and some small but easily visible solid material that looks to be coagulated blood and dried mucus (can't make it any more pleasant, sorry). This had not yet caused any flowing nose bleeds, none since the ER episode noted above.
My question is: Is such bloody content an indication of something that requires treatment?
The visit I had with an ENT included two visits, removal of the balloon and a followup a couple of weeks later. I discussed the congestion problem and the use of both saline and Afrin-type nasal spray. He was not concerned by the use of nose spray if I didn't use it enough to get a "rebound" worsening of my congestion - I'm not sure, but think I do not suffer from a rebound, just chronic congestion that generally clears up when I get up on my feet and does not bother me most of the awake time...lying down and inactivity seems to stimulate it. The ENT mentioned that the spray I use is the type that shrinks the membrane and blood veins (arteries?) and that's how it helps open the congestion - not cure it. It is thus the type of treatment used to help stop a nose bleed...and I think that is what the ER doctor first tried. I recall he stuffed some saturated cotton balls into my nasal passage and after a time remove to see if the bleeding had stopped...it hadn't thus the balloon was used. I mention here only in an effort to suggest the nose spray is not causing my question of blood content form the left nostril only when blowing in the morning.