Have you ever examined your booger after you blow a snot? Well, our body has various mechanisms to tell what is happening inside the body, whether it is working normally or not. Most people do not have the habit of doing it. However, in case of sickness, your snot can tell a lot about what’s going on. For example, if you find blood in your snot, it may be covid, dry nasal passage or just a mild bacterial or viral infection.
What Does Normal Snot from Nose Look Like?
Under ordinary circumstances, the mucus color is clear to white. The trouble starts when it looks yellow or green; that is due to a virus, bacterial infection or an allergy.
The only problem with color detection is that you can’t tell for sure whether it’s a virus, bacteria or allergy that’s causing the change. However, it does indicate your body is fighting off an intruder.
Blood In Snot
If your snot is red or brown, it’s blood. However, if it is black, it’s most likely dust or dirt. Bloody snot may be due to frequent nose blowing or dry air-breathing. Stuffy sinus cavities are uncomfortable, and if not taken care of, infections may arise in the mucus-clogged nasal passage.
Why Does Mucus Change Color?
You must now know that yellow or green mucus is a clear indicator of you having an infection, but the yellow or green tint isn’t due to bacteria.
In instances when you have a cold, the immune system sends neutrophils – white blood cells forward to that area. The cells have a green color enzyme, and they accumulate and can turn the mucus in same color.
However, there is a possibility that you may have a clear mucus yet suffer from an infection. This is the case if you likely have other symptoms, like congestion, and pressure on your face, or fever overlying the sinuses.
The snot may also have tints of red or brown indicating blood, more so if the nose dries out or gets irritated from excess rubbing, picking or blowing. Most of the blood mucus in the nose is from the area right inside the nostril. It has the most amount of blood vessels. If there is minute blood in your mucus, it is not something to be worried about; however, large volumes of it need a doctor’s assistance.
How To Deal With Excess Snot With or Without Blood?
- Always run water through your nose daily to help clear extra mucus and keep the membranes moist. It is better if you do it in the morning and at night, at the time of brushing your teeth. You can use a saline nasal spray during the day to moisten nasal passages.
- Take more water because adequate hydration keeps the mucus thin and loose. Make it a habit to keep a bottle of water on your work desk, or place your glass near the kitchen sink as a reminder to drink water throughout the day.
- Steaming works wonders. Stay in a hot shower or bring a pan of water to boil; place the towel over your head, and bend over to inhale the steam. Keep enough distance at first to avoid burns, and then move in gradually to a comfortable space.
- Invest in a humidifier in your home to prevent nasal passages from drying out. Make sure to keep them clean and free of bacteria and mold.
- Keep your head up as snot accumulates in your sinuses during the night when your head is down. Have your head up with pillows or a wedge during sleep.
- Be gentle to your nose and blow it gently, preferably one nostril at a time. A forced blow can irritate the nasal passage and propel bacteria-laden mucus back up into your sinuses.
Conclusion
If you have a stuffy nose or snot coming out with blood in it, do not panic and reach out to one of the best pulmonologists in Tomball from Pulmonary Medical Consultants at 281 357 1300.