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For some vapers, yes. It is not the most common side effect but it is real, and almost always down to one specific habit: exhaling through your nose. The fix is usually as simple as not doing that.
Your nose is built for breathing, not for vapour. The inside is lined with delicate mucous membrane, kept moist by tiny blood vessels close to the surface. That moisture is what stops the membrane cracking when you breathe dry air.
When you exhale vape aerosol through your nose, two things happen at once. Warm vapour passes over the membrane, and PG and VG actively pull moisture out of the tissue. Do that repeatedly through the day and the membrane gets dry and fragile. Eventually it cracks and bleeds.
ENT specialists report patients with severe dryness and scabbing inside the nose, particularly in heavy vapers who routinely exhale through the nose. Switching to mouth exhalation tends to clear it within weeks.
If you are getting nosebleeds since starting to vape, one or more of these is almost always the cause.
01
Exhaling through your nose
The biggest factor. If you do this regularly, vapour is in direct contact with the most delicate tissue in your nasal passage.
02
High-PG e-liquid
PG is more drying than VG. Most disposables and nic salt pods are 50/50, which is high PG. High-wattage shortfills tend to be 70/30 VG/PG, much less drying.
03
Dry indoor air
Central heating, air conditioning and winter weather all lower humidity. Combined with vaping, the drying effect adds up.
04
High nicotine strength
Nicotine narrows blood vessels including those in the nose. Combined with PG drying, it makes small blood vessels more fragile.
Some people are more prone to vape-related nosebleeds than others.
These are listed in rough order of how much difference each makes.
Stop exhaling through your nose
The single biggest change. Make a conscious effort to breathe vapour out through your mouth. For most people, this alone resolves the problem within a week or two.
Switch to a higher-VG e-liquid
If you are on 50/50 nic salts or disposables, try a 70/30 VG/PG shortfill. VG is less drying.
Drink more water
Hydrated tissue is less prone to cracking. An extra 500ml a day makes a noticeable difference.
Use a saline nasal spray
Available over the counter from any UK pharmacy. A couple of spritzes a day keeps the nasal lining moist.
Apply a small amount of Vaseline inside the nostrils
A standard medical recommendation for dry nasal passages. Coats and protects the delicate skin while it heals.
Run a humidifier in winter
If your bedroom or living room has central heating on all day, indoor humidity can drop below 30%. A humidifier brings it back to a healthier 40 to 50%.
Reduce nicotine strength
Lower nicotine means less blood vessel constriction. Worth trying if other changes have not quite worked.
A single mild nosebleed is rarely serious, but you should book a GP appointment or call NHS 111 if any of these apply:
Frequent nosebleeds can occasionally be a sign of something unrelated to vaping that needs proper investigation, particularly in people over 60.
Vaping can cause nosebleeds in some people
It is not common but it does happen, mostly to people who exhale through their nose or who vape heavily in dry indoor air.
Exhaling through the mouth is the simplest fix
Most cases stop within a week or two once you change this one habit. No expensive products needed.
Persistent or heavy bleeding needs medical attention
If the changes above have not helped within two weeks, or if the bleeding is heavy or frequent, see your GP.
Part of our guide
Clear, UK-focused answers to the health questions vapers actually ask. From side effects to long-term research.
Back to Health Guidance