My snot is green, should I be worried?

Mucus isn’t just the runny substance you sneeze out during a cold; it is actually a massive defender of your health! Mucus moisturizes your respiratory tract while also catching dust, allergens, and pathogens. You’ve probably noticed that your mucus can present various colors and textures, but what do these differences indicate? EUKA co-founder and practicing ENT doctor, Dr. Shawn Nasseri, gave us some tips about how mucus color can determine your health.  

• Clear and runny: This is the sniffly mucus that comes with allergies. However, clear mucus can also indicate that you are healthy. Generally, the lighter and clearer your mucus is, the healthier you are.

• Thick and white: If your mucus is thick and white, then it is another sign of allergies, but this mucus can also be fungal in some cases. The inflamed tissues inside your nose are slowing the flow of mucus. This causes your mucus to lose moisture and become thick and cloudy.

• Green: Green mucus is frequently due to bacterial infection or a strong allergic reaction. The green comes from an enzyme in white blood cells called myeloperoxidase that reflects when there is an allergy or bacterial infection. The more myeloperoxidase, the greener the mucus can get. If it persists for several days, it is more likely to be a bacterial infection.

• Red or brown: Generally, if your mucus is very dark in color, it is a mixture of blood that may be moist or dry mixed in with yellow or green to make brown or red mucus. This usually means someone has been blowing their nose so much that the blood vessels inside the nose have popped open, and the blood is mixing with the already infected mucus.

Regardless of the color of your mucus, you can support your nose and respiratory system by rinsing it regularly with Euka’s all-natural, preservative-free saline spray. The Wellness Nasal Saline Spray is perfect for everyday immunity; one spritz clears congestion, opens your airways, and preserves your delicate nasal biome without flooding your nose. If you are experiencing cold or allergic symptoms, try the Infused Cold and Allergy Saline Spray. Infused with essential oils, this formula is designed to ease cold and allergy symptoms by moisturizing and protecting your nose.