What is the difference between white and green snot

You may have a bacterial sinus infection or another bacterial infection that requires medication. Blood in your snot will tinge it pink or red. Women who are pregnant may also experience bloody snot. This may be due to blood volume increases, hormones, or swollen nasal passages. If your child is experiencing bleeding, call their pediatrician. This is especially important if your tot is under age 2. If your blood is the result of an acute injury like a car accident, seek medical attention to rule out more serious issues.

Brown snot may be the result of old blood exiting the body. Or you may have inhaled something red or brown that has discolored your mucus. Possibilities include dirt, snuff, or paprika. Black nasal mucus may be a sign of a serious fungal infection. While not common, people with compromised immune systems may be susceptible to this type of illness. The actual texture of your snot has a lot to do with its moisture content. Nasal mucus that flows freely has more water content than snot that is hard.

In some cases, drinking more water may help thin your mucus. Changes in texture can happen throughout the duration of an illness. Watery discharge from the nose may be a warning sign of a cerebrospinal fluid CSF leak. It may be difficult to tell the difference between a cold or other viral infection, and a bacterial infection.

Instead, pay attention to the duration of your illness and the worsening of your other symptoms. Most colds last between 7 to 10 days. They usually peak in severity between days three and five.

A bacterial infection may worsen as it progresses and continue beyond this time period. In rare cases , the infection may spread to the eye or brain.

Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:. Think your snot may be the result of allergies? There are several things you can do to clear your congestion:. Alternatively, you may try using a neti pot to rinse debris or mucus from your nose.

You can find neti pots online here. Snot is produced by your sinuses as protection against the outside world and its many viruses and other dangers. Most causes of congestion are due to viruses and allergies, not bacterial or fungal infections. Unless you have an underlying medical condition, you may try at-home comfort measures to clear your congestion.

If you notice warning signs of bacterial infection or have other concerns about your health, see your doctor. Read this article in Spanish. If you have a persistent cough, you likely have mucus in your chest. Don't judge your mucus by its color. Updated June 22, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Antibiotic prescribing and use in doctor's offices: Sinus infection sinusitis. Updated August 27, Cleveland Clinic. What the color of your snot really means: decoding the various possible hues. Updated January 14, The skinny on snot: What your child's mucus says about their health.

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Cold: What's the Difference? It can be a sign of common illnesses like the cold and flu or more serious ones like a sinus. Furthermore, the viscosity — or thickness — of your mucus can also tell you a lot. However, if you are experiencing a large amount of clear nasal discharge, it may be a sign of allergic rhinitis.

This is the form of allergies that most people who suffer from them experience. You could be triggered by pollen, dust, animal fur, or other irritants. White: White mucus differs from clear mucus when it looks cloudy and clumpier than normal. Oftentimes, this points to the common cold. White snot is caused by your snot losing its water content, making it thick and cloudy.

You might also be experiencing a sore throat, congestion, coughing, or a low-grade fever. It means that your immune system is fighting back. The yellow color is caused by white blood cells gathering to kill invaders. If your snot turns green, it means your immune system is working very hard to fight the infection.