As one of the typical ways cocaine is ingested is by snorting it through the nose, a common symptom of use of the drug is nosebleeds.
Most people will have at least one nosebleed in their life, but for people dealing with a cocaine addiction, nosebleeds can become a daily occurrence. Messy, painful, and inconvenient, nosebleeds are just one part of the effects cocaine can have on your body.
To help you understand more about why cocaine nosebleeds happen, we’ll explore the cause, what to do if you have one, and when to see a doctor about cocaine nosebleeds.
Can Cocaine Cause a Nosebleed?
Yes, cocaine can cause nosebleeds. In fact, nosebleeds are one of the early, short-term signs of cocaine addiction.
While nosebleeds are a common symptom of cocaine use, occurring within a couple of hours of taking the drug, they can also become chronic with excessive use. When nosebleeds are chronic, they can start happening even when you haven’t taken the drug that day.
Why Does Cocaine Cause Nosebleeds?
Cocaine nosebleeds happen because of the damage caused to the cells inside the nose from the repeated use of cocaine.
Cocaine is a toxin in itself, but it’s also often laced with other substances that are harmful to your nose – talcum powder, anaesthetics, or even other illicit drugs. Some studies have even found cocaine cut with fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid.
When you snort these through the nose, it starts to decay the delicate lining inside and narrows the blood vessels.
Once the blood vessels narrow, blood flow to the tissue is restricted. Less blood to the area deprives it of the essential oxygen and nutrients, causing the cells to die and the lining to break down, which is one cause of cocaine nosebleeds.
As this happens, the already delicate skin inside the nose becomes even more fragile, making cuts and scabs easier. When these scabs break open, they can cause nosebleeds, as well.
Can Injecting or Smoking Cocaine Cause Nosebleeds?
No, injecting or smoking cocaine cannot cause nosebleeds directly. As the substance isn’t coming into contact with the nose, it’s unlikely to cause it to bleed.
However, injecting or snorting cocaine can cause bleeding in the brain, known medically as a hemorrhagic stroke. The consequences of a bleed on the brain can often be serious and lifelong. In some cases, hemorrhagic strokes are fatal.
Other side effects of smoking or injecting cocaine include brain aneurysms, which are where blood vessels in the brain burst. A condition known as ‘crack lung’ is common with smoking cocaine, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, and a cough.
What Should I Do If I Have a Cocaine Nosebleed?
If you have a cocaine nosebleed, the best course of action is to take yourself aside and give it time to calm down before going back to your daily routine.
While a common myth is that the best way to treat a nosebleed is to tilt your head back, it’s actually the opposite. To treat a cocaine nosebleed, find somewhere quiet to sit and follow these three steps to treat a cocaine nosebleed:
Step 1: Place your elbows on your knees, and tilt your head forward, using your hand to rest your forehead against it if needed.
Step 2: Take some tissue and gently cover both nostrils with it, letting it catch the blood as it comes out naturally. Avoid putting the tissue up your nose.
Step 3: Gently pinch your nostrils together and hold them like this for a few minutes until the bleeding stops. Make sure you keep breathing through your mouth.
If your nosebleed doesn’t stop or settle after 20 minutes, it’s best to seek immediate medical support, as it could be a sign of something more serious.
What Other Ways Can Cocaine Affect the Nose?
It’s not just nosebleeds that are caused by cocaine. In fact, there are other serious effects on the nose structure with excessive, long-term cocaine use.
A condition called saddle nose deformity, colloquially known as ‘coke nose’, is common with persistent use of cocaine. The condition causes structural damage to the nose, leading to visible changes.
When tissue loss from snorting cocaine becomes extreme, it can cause the nasal bridge to collapse and open holes in the septum (perforated septum).
Treating saddle nose deformity involves surgery to reconstruct the nose, while minor cases may be treatable by smaller, non-surgical dermal fillers. However, dermal fillers are only a temporary fix.
Can Cocaine Affect the Body and Mental Health?
Aside from nosebleeds, excessive cocaine use can cause short-term impacts and serious, irreparable long-term damage to the body and your mental health.
Whether cocaine is ingested through the nose, smoked, or injected, it’s still an addictive drug that has impacts on your health, such as:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Hypothermia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Psychosis
Long-term effects of cocaine use can cause life-changing complications, many of which are irreversible, including:
- Brain damage
- Seizures
- Strokes
- Organ failure
- Intestinal decay
It’s important to seek help from a medical professional before the effects of cocaine use cause too much damage. While it can be daunting, you’re never alone, as there are plenty of addiction treatment facilities with care teams ready to help.
When to See a Doctor About Cocaine Nosebleeds
While most cocaine nosebleeds will go away after a few minutes, there may be times when it’s best to see a medical professional.
Nosebleeds that last longer than 10 to 15 minutes can be a sign of serious injury elsewhere in the body, especially if they’re accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Excessive blood loss
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling faint or dizzy
- Vomiting
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms alongside a cocaine nosebleed, the NHS advises you to go to A&E or call 999. If travelling to a hospital, don’t drive yourself, as heavy blood loss can impair your driving.
Stonebridge Communities Supports You on Your Journey to Cocaine Addiction Recovery
Here at Stonebridge Communities, we’re dedicated to helping people on their journey to cocaine recovery.
With 20 years of experience, we provide professional cocaine addiction rehab to support your recovery. You get access to around-the-clock care from recovery specialists. Plus, a bespoke aftercare program to support your recovery even after you’ve left our care.
We know reaching out for help can feel daunting, but we’re right by your side to help. Get in touch with us today to discuss how our treatment can benefit you. Call us on 01934 311965 or send an email to info@stonebridge.rehab.
Cocaine Nosebleeds FAQs
A cocaine nosebleed can last for a few seconds or up to 10 minutes. If your nosebleed lasts for 20 minutes or longer and you experience dizziness, seek immediate medical attention, as it can be a sign of injury elsewhere.
In general, cocaine nosebleeds aren’t dangerous in themselves. However, they can indicate other issues such as high blood pressure, blood-clotting disorders, or nasal trauma. As such, if you’re experiencing frequent nosebleeds or if your nosebleed lasts for 20 minutes, it’s best to speak to a medical professional.
Yes, even using cocaine just once can potentially cause a nosebleed. As cocaine irritates and dries out the delicate lining inside the nose and reduces blood flow to the tissue, it can cause a nosebleed even if you use it just once.
