Blowing your nose may offer in-the-moment relief, but its never anyones idea of a good time.
So, wouldnt it be nice to know what your snot color means?
Like, does it actually say anything about your health?
The color of your snot could give you clues to your health.
Regardless of what you see on that tissue, your snot is doing its job.
Mucus is also involved in your bodysimmune system.
Your mucus becomes a problem when theres too much or too little of the stuff.
Too little, and your sinuses can be uncomfortably dry.
Too much, and its snot citybut this actually serves a purpose.
Your mucus alone wont definitively provide a diagnosis, but it can offer some clues about whats going on.
Whats the stuff made of?
Mostly water, with some proteins, antibodies, and dissolved salts in the mix, according toScripps Health.
That said, youre not totally in the clear just because your snot is.
This is a classic symptom ofseasonal allergies.
One possibility is a chronic allergy, like if youre allergic to dust.
Dehydrationcan also make your snot a little stodgy.
Mucus reflects the level of hydration in our bodies, Dr. Sindwani says.
When theres less water content, it becomes more concentrated, viscous, and congested.
Thick snot may also make it seem like youve got more snot in there than you actually do.
If your snot is like molasses, drink up to help thin it out.
There are infection-fighting cells that go to the site of this bug or germ, Dr. Sindwani says.
The idea that thick yellow mucus equals one diagnosis and green another, though, is mostly a myth.
The color of mucus is not reliable in differentiating between a viral and bacterial infection, Dr. Sindwani says.
How you feel, your other symptoms, and how long its been around is also important.
In addition, these colors can also appear in allergies, adds Dr. Turner.
All that said, yellow or green mucus doesnthaveto signal an infection.
Another thing to pay attention to with yellow or green snot is the smell and consistency.
A chronicsinus infectioncan last for weeks or months at a time, according to theMayo Clinic.
And icky snot is far from the only unpleasant symptom.
When those membranes get dried out, theyre more prone to crusting and cracking, causing bleeding.
Or maybe you breathed in some dirt.
It could be tumors in the nose or sinuses, but theyre rare, Dr. Voigt says.
Black snot
If your mucus is the color of midnight, youve probably got a problem.
Black mucus can be the result of smoking cigarettes or using illicit drugs, Dr. Sindwani says.
Residual particles from the smoke and burning of the substance can turn snot dark.
It can also happen if youre exposed to certain pollutants, like exhaust fumes and coal.
The other possibility is a life-threatening fungal infection.
Treatment involves emergency surgery and antifungal medication, per theAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
Its distracting, steals your sleep, and may even force you to cancel plans.
So, figuring out how to dry up the seemingly endless flow of mucus is probably a priority.
The best way to tackle mucus and congestion depends on the cause, Dr. Gray says.
All snotty because of acold?
Hydrate and get plenty of rest to support your bodys infection-fighting capabilities.
You probably dont need an antibiotic to get better, but your doctor will determine if one is necessary.
Just confirm you follow any instructions on the label of the medication.
