Let’s be honest, no one really talks about it, but we’ve all checked the colour of our mucus at some point. Clear, white, yellow, green and sometimes even darker shades. So, what do these different colours mean?
Clear Mucus 1,3
Clear mucus is usually a sign that everything is normal. Your body produces mucus every day to keep your nose, throat, and airways moist and to trap dust, germs, and other particles. You might notice more clear mucus if you have allergies, a runny nose, or are exposed to cold air.
White or Cloudy Mucus 1,2
White or cloudy mucus often shows up at the start of a cold. It can mean that your nasal tissues are slightly swollen, which slows down the flow of mucus and makes it look thicker or cloudy. This is usually nothing to worry about and is part of your body’s natural response.
Yellow Mucus 1,2
Yellow mucus is a sign that your immune system is actively fighting something, like a virus. As your body sends white blood cells to deal with the infection, they can change the colour of your mucus.
Green Mucus 1,2
Green mucus can happen when your immune system is working harder to clear an infection. The colour comes from enzymes in white blood cells. Although many people think green mucus always means a bacterial infection, that’s not always the case. It can still be part of a normal viral illness.
Brown Mucus 1,2
Brown mucus is often linked to things you’ve breathed in like dust, pollution, or smoke. In some cases, it may also be due to old blood that has mixed with mucus, giving it a brownish colour.
Black Mucus 1,2
Black mucus is less common and is usually linked to inhaling heavy pollutants. It can also be seen in people who smoke or are exposed to strong environmental irritants. In rare cases, it may be linked to a fungal infection.
Pink or Red Mucus 1,2
Pink or red mucus usually means there is a small amount of blood present. This can happen if the inside of your nose or airways becomes dry or irritated, especially if you’ve been blowing your nose often or coughing a lot.
When Should You Pay Attention? 2,3
If:
- Your symptoms last more than 10 days
- You have a high fever
- You notice a lot of blood in your mucus
- You have ongoing brown or black mucus
Your body has its own way of fighting off infections, and mucus is part of that process. In many cases, a changing “rainbow” of mucus is simply part of getting better and signal that your immune system is doing its job.
References
1 https://www.healthline.com/health/snot-color
2 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/mucus
3 https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2020/08/marvels-mucus-phlegm
