It may sound a bit unappetizing, but especially now that we are heading towards winter, cold complaints are increasing again. Many people seem to suffer from a snotty nose, do you? Then you may have noticed that snot does not always look the same. But what do the colors of snot actually mean? We will explain it to you.
Green snot
Green snot may indicate a bacterial or fungal infection. Although green snot sounds like something is definitely wrong, it is not always a bad sign. The green color is due to the blood cells that help your immune system to stop bacteria. These cells contain a lot of iron, which causes the cells to release a green color when they die. There is also a possibility that green snot ‘simply’ indicates a viral infection.
Yellow snot
Just like green snot, yellow snot is also a ‘good’ sign: your body is fighting against the virus that has invaded. Yellow snot indicates that you suffer from a virus or infection in the sinus of your nose. This may cause a cold feeling. If all goes well, the yellow color will darken after a few days. If this is not the case and the snot remains yellow or you experience fever symptoms, it is possible that the yellow snot indicates bronchitis.
Clear snot
Is your snot virtually colorless and transparent with a sticky texture? Then you probably don’t have a virus or infection. Please note the word ‘probably’, because there are exceptions. If you suffer from excessive snot, there may be something wrong. It is also possible that you have an ear or sinus infection, but your snot still looks clear.
Red or brown snot
While it may be a bit of a shock to see red or brown snot coming out of your nose, it’s probably not something you need to worry about. When you blow your nose a little too hard or pick your nose, your nose starts to bleed. In addition, the mucous membranes are also very vulnerable, which means that a blood vessel can quickly burst. This red or brown color is almost always due to a mixture with blood. Do you want to prevent this? Then try rinsing your nose more often with a natural saline solution, instead of blowing or picking your nose.
White snot
If your snot feels stickier and thicker and turns white, you may have a cold or flu. The tissue in your nasal cavity is likely inflamed and swollen, slowing down the snot moving through it. As a result, the snot loses moisture and becomes thicker.
