Mucus is normally clear and thin. Its primary function is to filter air particles, but some pollutants and viruses may cause it to change color. Usually, the colors of mucus are:
- Clear
- Green
- Yellow
- Brown
- White
Each color may signify a certain type of an infection. Help your doctor define your symptoms to determine what infection your mucus color represents.
Mucus production is a normal health state, unless it becomes excessive or discolored. Mucus is a basic defense against the inflammation of the mucus membranes (that soft tissue that coats the interior of your cavities or cells). Your body normally produces about an ounce of clear mucus in a day, but if mucus production exceeds this, there may be a problem.
This mucus is continually made by the cells lining of the sinus passages. It can irritate and settle on your nasal and throat lining causing a sore throat, bad breath, a cough and the dreaded post nasal drip.
Clear mucus is often discharged nasally but may also be discharged post nasally. Post nasal drip (PND) occurs when excess mucus (mucous), usually caused by sinusitis or other inflammatory disorders, drips down the back of your throat or nose.
Although it commonly represents post nasal drip, clear mucus may represent various other disorders, including:
- Hayfever
- Sinus congestion
- Flu
- Allergies
- Acute sinusitis
- Colds
When infected by a virus, bacteria and other pollutants such as cigarette smoke, alcohol, acids and other foods may cause the mucus to change color. The different colors of mucus are:
- Brown
- Green
- Yellow
- White
- Clear
Green Mucus
When one has a cold that leads to an infection the mucus color often changes, from clear mucus to yellow mucus and then to green mucus.
Green mucus is a definite indication that one has a sinus infection. Most infections are usually caused by bacteria or viruses, however 90% of sinus infections result from viruses. The best cure is your own immune system. Homeopathy and natural medicine gives your immune system the boost it needs to fight off infections and the associated viruses.
Green mucus is often thick and causes congestion and pressure. This can cause more discomfort as thick mucus is often the primary cause of sinus headaches. Your body reacts to the change in mucus by producing even more mucus, which in turn irritates your throat glands and stomach linings.
Yellow Mucus
Mucus is a substance that is used to trap and remove foreign particles from our system. When this mucus gets infected by bacteria or viruses, it changes color, from clear to yellow and then green. Yellow mucus is not only a good indication that your body has a sinus infection but is also an indicator that it is fighting off the infection.
The best cure for any sinus infection is your body’s own immune system.
Common symptoms that accompany sinus infections can include:
- Headaches
- Pressure
- Post Nasal Drip
- Congestion
- Flu Like symptoms
- Fatigue
- Fever
Brown Mucus
You often discharge bloody or brownish mucus when your sinuses are engorged and blood mingles with your mucus. Brown mucus is a common complain of smokers, because tobacco smoke can better engorge your sinuses.
When you have nasal polyps or irritated mucus membranes, your mucus is blood stained and looks brownish or bloody. Blood stained mucus is also the case with an irritated throat. Alcohol consumers often have engorged throats and bronchi, thus coughing up blood stained or brownish mucus.
Several other things may cause your mucus to be brown. These include the following:
- Certain foods, such as chocolate, other snacks, garlic and red wine
- Bacteria and viruses
- Nose bleeding
- Alcohol consumption
Although these can discolour your mucus to a brown color, your mucus may take several other colors due to various causes. Other mucus colors include clear, white, yellow, and green.
White Mucus
Mucus is normally clear in color, when it changes color there is usually a problem. Although rare, white mucus may be caused by certain foods such as milk. Dairy products may thicken and whiten your mucus causing congestion and pressure in the nose and sinus area. This is often accompanied by fatigue, fever and sharp shooting pains of a sinus attack.
White mucus often starts with a runny nose, where clear mucus is discharged. When sufferers drink milk or other foods responsible for whitening mucus, then they discharge white mucus.
When clear mucus is swallowed post nasally, some people find it irritating and thus vomit. When vomited, mucus may appear white in color.
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