The body produces a lot of snot, especially when you have a cold, have an allergy or suffer from an irritating substance. The color of snot can say a lot about your health.
But first: what exactly is snot? Snot is actually slime. Your mouth, nose, throat, lungs, stomach and intestines are lined with mucous membrane, which consists of a layer of cells that produce mucus. Mucus has a protective function: it keeps the tissue underneath moist. The mucus in your airways traps and removes dust and pathogens. That way it won’t end up in your body. The mucous membrane of your nose moistens the air you breathe. Once the mucus comes out of your nose, we call it snot.
clear snot
Healthy snot should generally look clear and slightly transparent. It has a sticky texture, which makes it look like glue. If your snot looks like this, chances are you don’t have a virus or infection. There are of course exceptions: you can have an ear or sinus infection, while your snot is just clear in color. If you have other symptoms, always consult a doctor.
white snot
If you start to catch a cold, your snot may be white in color. It can also be stickier and thicker than you are used to. This is because more snot is produced by your body. You may also be eating or drinking too much dairy. The fat in dairy products makes your snot thicker and tougher. When you have a cold, it is therefore best to consume less dairy products.
yellow snot
Yellow snot usually indicates a virus or infection in the sinuses of the nose. You can notice this in a cold. If your snot is yellow in color, that is often a good sign. It means your body is fighting a bacteria. The white blood cells ensure that the bacteria leave your body. Once the white blood cells are out of your body, your snot will be a yellow or green color. At first, the snot may be light or bright in color, but it will darken after a few days.
green snot
Green snot can indicate that you have a bacterial or fungal infection. A type of white blood cell, leukocytes, provides this green color. As with yellow snot, these are fighting the bacteria. The snot can also be light in color for the first few days, after which it becomes progressively darker. If the color lasts longer than a week, or if the symptoms get worse due to, for example, a fever, it is advisable to make an appointment with your doctor or doctor.
Red or brown snot
Do you have red or brown snot? Then it is possible that there is blood in your snot. The color can be bright red, but it can also be light red or even dark brown. It doesn’t always have to be cause for panic: chances are your sinuses are inflamed. Sinuses are air-filled cavities to the left and right of the nose. It is also possible that you have a sore spot in your nose, or that a piece of skin is damaged. If you cough up red mucus, it could mean you have bronchitis. If this continues for several days and you have other symptoms, such as fever, it is wise to visit a doctor or medical specialist. Always consult a medical specialist immediately when coughing up clear blood without mucus.
