AFTER blowing your nose, you might glance down into your tissue out of curiosity – and be confronted by a variety of snot colours, from yellow or green, to red or even black.
While many of us are quick to toss our used tissue in the bin, keeping an eye on the colour of your snot can offer some clues about your overall .
A runny nose in the winter is often a natural response to cold, dry air, and is usually not a sign of sicknessCredit: Getty
It’s that time of year when everyone seems to be a bit snotty.
It’s cough and cold season after all. But on top of that, flu cases in England have reached record levels – in the space of a week.
An average of 3,140 flu patients were in hospital each day last week – up from up from 2,660 the previous week, according to NHS figures.
It’s thought cases are being driven by driven by a mutated strain of flu, dubbed ‘subclade K’ or H3N2.
Though different from strains that usually circulate, H3N2 – which has been dubbed – tends to cause typical flu symptoms, including sneezing and a runny nose.
Snot is the common term for nasal mucus – a slippery, protective substance produced by the mucous membranes that line your nose and sinuses.
Its primary functions are to moisturise the respiratory tract, filter out dust, allergens, and germs, and trap them for removal from the body.
According to the , your body will produce about 1.7 litres of the stuff daily, but you usually swallow most of it.
During an illness like a cold, it overproduces more to help flush out the infection.
It’s your body’s first line of defence against infection because it contains antibodies, which trigger a reaction to ward off and .
Taking note of what trickles out your nose can be useful. It can show you’re not as ill as you might feel – or prompt you to get your symptoms checked out sooner rather than later.
So what are the colours, and what do they mean?
1. CLEAR
Clear snot is normal and usually healthy, the NHS says.
But if your nose is particularly runny, it could be a sign of an allergy, according to Houston Advanced Nose and Sinus doctors.
Occasional or mild clear nasal drip will often resolve within a few days or weeks.
However, there are more serious causes of clear nasal drip, such as , which are non-cancerous growths inside the nose.
The NHS says they’re not usually serious but can keep growing and block your nose if not treated.
2. YELLOW
Snot, or phlegm, is your body’s first line of defence against infection
Phlegm which edges towards a yellow shade could be a sign your body is fighting an infection.
Pharmacist Rita Ghelani said: “The yellow colour is a result of your infection-fighting white blood cells being expelled with your mucus.
“You’re probably feeling rough and very blocked up,” she added.
It’s considered a normal sign your body is fighting a mild infection, such such as a cold or flu, and is usually no cause for immediate worry on its own.
3. GREEN
Rita, who worked with nasal spray brand Xlear , said green snot is a sign the infection has taken hold and your immune system is in overdrive.
Again, the green colour comes from dead white blood cells (called neutrophils) that are released to destroy .
“You might have a temperature and be feeling feverish – if that’s the case, it might be wise to consult your doctor or pharmacist,” she said.
While green snot means your immune system is working hard, it’s often a sign the infection is resolving, not worsening.
4. WHITE
Dr Raj Sindwani from the Cleveland Clinic in the US, said white snot is a sign you have a nasal infection or a cold.
If this is the case, you’ll likely also have some congestion.
Speaking to the New York Post , the expert explained tissue inflammation results in a slowed flow of mucus, which is a much thicker and cloudier texture.
Rita added this colour is “nothing to worry about”.
However, if you have and you’re producing lots of white phlegm, it could be a sign your airways are inflamed and your asthma is getting worse.
According to Asthma and Lung, your preventer inhaler is the number one way to deal with this, as long as you’re taking it as prescribed by your doctor or nurse.
5. RED OR BROWN
When your boogers turn red or brown, this is usually a sign you have some dried blood up your nose.
Dr Raj said: “Full-on red could be a nosebleed related most likely to trauma or infection.
“A few specks of blood or a pinkish hue mucus may not be a big deal. That could be just damage or irritation of the lining.”
If bleeding is continuous, heavy, persistent, or accompanied by other severe symptoms you should look to seek medical attention.
'SUPERFLU' Q&A
WHY is flu so bad this year?
This year’s flu, which has been named H3N2, is a different virus strain from usual.
Our immune systems remember strains we have caught before and are better at fighting them off, meaning we get less ill.
H3N2 has not been around for a number of years, meaning our natural immunity to this version of the virus is low.
More people are getting heavy symptoms, which in turn means it spreads faster, including to high-risk groups such as babies and the elderly who can become severely ill.
What are the symptoms?
The same as regular flu. Most people will feel achy, sore and tired, and may develop a high temperature or a cough.
Other signs of flu can include a dry throat, upset stomach, headaches, difficulty sleeping or a loss of appetite.
What should I do if I get the flu?
Most people can manage at home and will start to recover after a few days with plenty of sleep, rest, and drinking lots of fluids.
Take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce symptoms, but do not take antibiotics, as they work only for bacterial infections and flu is viral.
Call 111 or your GP practice if you are elderly or have a serious health condition and are worried about your symptoms.
Do the same if you are worried about a baby or child’s symptoms. Call 999 or go to A&E if you begin to cough up blood, have sudden chest pain or cannot breathe.
Is the vaccine effective?
Yes. Scientists say the vaccine is a close enough match to the virus for it to reduce the risk of serious illness.
There were some concerns that the virus had mutated and rendered the jab less effective, but our natural protection against this strain is so low that the vaccine will still give the immune system a strong boost.
This is particularly important for high-risk groups, including over-65s, pregnant women, cancer patients and babies and children, who are eligible for free jabs on the NHS.
Why are hospitals struggling?
Hospitals are nearly full almost all of the time, so they have no room for a sudden surge in new patients.
This year has seen the highest demand for services such as A&E and ambulances on record, even before the flu outbreak began.
Clinics are also trying to clear a massive backlog of non-urgent patients.
Long-term problems with discharging patients mean many beds are blocked by elderly people who cannot safely be sent home.
6. BLACK
Having black boogers is usually a sign that you’re a or live in a highly congested – and so, – area.
But a doctor should evaluate black snot to rule out more serious conditions.
In some rarer cases, it could be a symptom of a serious , such as mycetoma fungal sinusitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, chronic indolent sinusitis and fulminant sinusitis.
But these usually only affect people with compromised immune systems who can be more susceptible, according to the (WHO).
HOW LONG TO EXPECT TO BE SNOTTY FOR – AND WHEN TO SEE A GP
According to pharmacist Abbas Kanani at Chemist Click , the length of time you’re snotty for depends on the cause.
He advised: “Generally if its due to a respiratory infection or cold / , seven to 10 days.
“It can last for several weeks for viral or bacterial bronchitis and sinus Infection.
“Sometimes a few months for chronic sinusitis. Long-term conditions like or chronic bronchitis can cause the presence of phlegm to last for months or even years.”
If you’re coughing up large amounts of blood or consistently seeing red phlegm, you should see a doctor urgently.
If your phlegm is coloured, persistent and not going away for more than a few days, it’s also worth seeing your , said Kanani.
He added: “Especially if it is accompanied by fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, chills at night and unintentional .
“You should also seek advice if you notice changes in the colour, volume or frequency if you have a long-term condition such as COPD.”
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP EASE MUCUS
THERE are things you can do to help ease common snot and mucus issues like catarrh (build-up of mucus):
- drink plenty of water
- sip ice cold water when you need to clear your throat, rather than coughing or swallowing
- try using a humidifier to help loosen the mucus in your nose and throat
- try using an extra pillow in bed so you sleep in a more upright position, rather than lying flat
- try gargling with salt water
- try rinsing your nose with salt water
You could also ask a pharmacist about:
- decongestants and other medicines to help relieve catarrh
- salt water nose rinses – you can get several types, including specially designed bottles, nasal sprays and sachets
Source: NHS
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
