Needless to say, this is a rhetorical question, we have all had snot (mucus), for one reason or the other in our lives. We produce and swallow about 500 to 600 cc’s of mucus every day. Twice a year, Spring and Fall, my nose drains clear snot! To the point I can be sitting straight up, and it will just start to run from my nostrils. I am never concerned as I know this is my body’s normal reaction to seasonal allergies. Inhaling dust will have the same effect. Nasal mucus acts as a defense in areas like your nose, head and neck areas, which are prone to infection. It is mainly water with proteins, antibodies, and dissolved salt.

White mucus may mean you are congested. The nose has swollen, inflamed tissues that slow down the flow of mucus and causes it to lose moisture and become thick and cloudy. This may indicate a nasal infection or cold. Monitor your symptoms and seek medical attention if they worsen.

Yellow snot means there is an infection somewhere in your body and getting worse. The yellow color is caused by white blood cells going to the site of infection and are swept away after the battle. Your antibodies are doing their job! Colds last on an average 7-10 days. Again, monitor your symptoms for fever, feeling worse, and chills. Seek medical attention in that case. If not use general supportive care. An old school remedy is ginger root tea.

Green mucus indicates your immune system is really battling with the source of infection. Your mucus is thick with dead white blood cells. If you are still sick after 10 – 12 days, it’s time to see a doctor. You may have a bacterial sinus infection that is treated with antibiotics. If you start to run a fever or feel really sick before that time, seek medical attention then!

If you happen to blow your nose and red snot returns, that usually means your nasal passages are dried out or injured. Again, this is nothing to be concerned about, use a saline nasal spray or a Netti pot (safely) for rapid relief. A third option which costs you nothing is to bring a pot of water to a rapid boil, lean over it with a towel on top of your head and inhale the steam. Fast rapid, no cost relief! Full on red is a nosebleed related normally to trauma.

Brown mucus could be old blood, but more than likely it’s due to something inhaled. such as dirt, snuff, or paprika.

Black mucus is common for smokers or illegal drug users. It may also be caused in some work environments where debris is inhaled for instance, coal miners. If you experience black mucus and the stated reasons don’t fit, seek medical attention as it could mean a serious fungal infection. These are very rare and usually occur with people with compromised immune systems.

That is the story on snot! I hope that some light was shed on the subject, and you have a better understanding of it.

Until next time,

Peace, Love, and Blessings ❤️