All airways are kept moist by the layer of mucus that lines their surface. This clear liquid, secreted by goblet cells and submucosal glands, traps and carries with it microbes, pollen, and other foreign particles from the inspired air. When the mucosa becomes irritated or inflamed, an army of immune cells rush to the scene to deal with infectious agents trying to sneak into the body.
If you’ve ever had a runny nose or sneezed without a tissue, you’ve probably become fixated on what your mucus is like. You may have noticed that it changes color or texture from time to time. Nasal discharge can be clear, green, black, and many other colors in between.
Mucus exists to protect the nose and sinuses from things like dust, bacteria, and other environmental hazards. Why can mucus change color? Usually it has something to do with what happens inside or outside the body.
What does clear mucus mean?
Clear snot is considered “normal” or healthy. Our body produces around 946 ml of mucus a day, although you probably swallow most of it. This type of mucus is made up of water with proteins, antibodies, and salts. Once it reaches the stomach, it dissolves. The body continues to do so 24 hours a day to help align and protect the nose.
Allergic rhinitis or “hay fever” can also cause a clear, runny nose. Although it can make us feel quite sick, allergies are not caused by a virus. Symptoms are the body’s response to irritants such as pollen, cat or dog hair, and dust mites.
Other symptoms may include: postnasal drip, watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, cough, itchy nose, throat or roof of the mouth, discolored skin under the eyes, or fatigue.
Some women develop a runny nose during pregnancy called non-allergic rhinitis. Researchers explain that this condition is caused by hormonal changes and can develop in any pregnancy. It is most common between weeks 13 and 21.
What does white mucus mean?
If you feel congested, you may notice that the mucus is white. You may also experience swelling or inflammation in your nose and a slow flow of nasal mucus. As it loses its water content, the mucus becomes thick, indicating that you may have a cold or infection in the making.
The common cold can make you feel sick in general. Your symptoms will usually develop between one and three days after being exposed to the virus. Children are particularly prone to colds. Adults, on the other hand, can experience two to three colds each year.
Other symptoms include: sore throat, congestion, cough, sneezing, low fever, or fever above 37 ° C but less than 38 ° C, mild body aches, mild headache …
What does yellow mucus mean?
Yellow mucus is a sign that any virus or infection you have is taking hold. The good news? Your body is defending itself. The yellow color comes from cells, like white blood cells, for example, rushing to kill the germs that cause disease. Once the cells have done their job, they are discarded in the mucus and stained a yellowish-brown color.
What does green mucus mean?
If the immune system kicks in to fight infection, mucus can turn green and especially thick. The color comes from dead white blood cells and other waste products. But green snot is not always a reason to go to the doctor. In fact, some sinus infections can be viral, not bacterial.
Still, if the cold or infection has been going on for 12 days or longer, it may be a good time to make an appointment. You may have a bacterial sinus infection or another bacterial infection that requires medication.
What does pink or red-bloody-colored mucus mean?
Blood in the mucus can turn it pink or red. The blood may flow a bit if you have blown your nose a lot or if you have taken a blow in that area. To prevent nosebleeds, you can: apply petroleum jelly or another ointment to the nostrils three times a day, use a saline nasal spray to add moisture to the nasal tissues, add moisture to the air with a humidifier, or blow your nose more gently.
Pregnant women can also experience bloody mucus. This may be due to increased blood volume, hormones, or inflamed nasal passages.
If your child has bleeding, call your pediatrician. This is especially important if your child is younger than 2 years old.
What does brown or orange mucus mean?
Brown mucus can be the result of old blood draining from the body. Or you may have inhaled something red or brown that has discolored the mucus. Possibilities include dirt, tobacco, or paprika.
What does black mucus mean?
Black nasal mucus can be a sign of a serious fungal infection. While it is not common, people with compromised immune systems can be susceptible to this type of disease. There are four types of fungal sinus infections: mycetoma fungal sinusitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, indolent chronic sinusitis, and fulminant sinusitis. This type can cause damage to the breasts and the bony area that contains the eyeballs and brain. People who smoke or use illicit drugs may also have black mucus.
Whatever the potential cause, it’s a good idea to see your doctor for a more formal diagnosis.
