What the colour of your phlegm REALLY means, according to doctors

It's that time of year when the dreaded cough strikes more than ever, leaving millions of us with a hacking cough, full of snot and a sore throat.

That's because Christmas is the peak time for virus spread, given the amount of socializing we do indoors.

And there is plenty to catch: recent figures show a rise in seasonal viruses such as flu, the new Covid variant, whooping cough and norovirus.

Of course, coughing up mucus and blowing out snot is part of fighting a cold.

'Mucus is a deliberately sticky substance made by the body to trap matter – including germs from a virus – which is then expelled from the body by coughing it up,' explains Dr Tom Jenkins, an NHS GP in Gloucestershire and founder of the cough and disease disease. cold medicine Centoreze. 'It's a very clever mechanism.'

And as disgusting as it seems, the color of your mucus can reveal important clues about your health.

From yellow to green and even black: read on to see what the different colors can mean – and how you can treat yourself.

CLEAR/WHITE SLEGM

If you are coughing up white or clear mucus, it may mean that you have an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or an allergy.

This color is nothing to worry about.

“Mucus can be caused by two mechanisms,” says Dr. Jenkins. 'It could be coming from your chest, or from your nasal passages.

'The latter involves mucus from your nasal passages dripping through the back of your throat – also called a post-nasal drip – into your chest, and your body coughs it up as a protective mechanism. This is usually clear sputum.

'If you want to know what causes it, sit on a chair and lean forward with your nose to the floor for five minutes. If you stop coughing, the problem is your nose and not your chest. But be aware that the contents of your nose will likely drip onto the floor.”

YELLOW/GREEN PHLEGM

This indicates that you most likely have a viral, but possibly a bacterial infection.

It can sit in your sinuses and drip down your throat and into your chest.

However, if it is green or brown, this could indicate an infection in your lower respiratory tract if you cough it up from the lungs.

The dark green color occurs when white blood cells rush in to fight infections.

'In normally healthy people, yellow and green discharge with cough is usually caused by a viral infection,' explains Dr Ash Husain, medical specialist at Spire Bushey Hospital in Hertfordshire. These infections do not require antibiotics.

'In smokers with chronic lung disease, the production of more than the usual amount of mucus, with increased thickness and a color change to yellow or green indicates an infection, so consult your doctor,' he adds.

Also, if you feel quite unwell, have a fever and are coughing up a lot of discolored mucus, Dr Husain recommends that you seek advice – especially if you have long-term health problems such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or if the affected person is very young or elderly.

PINK/RED SLEGM

This may be a sign that there is fluid in the lungs (a condition called pulmonary edema). Sufferers bring out a very distinctive frothy pink mucus.

“This is the most important color when it comes to care,” says Dr. Husain.

'If your mucus is rusty or stained with blood, you should consult a doctor urgently.'

Bright red blood can be caused by a cough or a respiratory infection. It is common in older people who smoke.

However, a light blood stain from mucus is usually not a problem if you have a cold or bronchitis.

It can be caused by irritation, inflammation and constant blowing of your nose.

However, if you do not have a cold, it is wise to seek medical advice, especially if you have other symptoms such as persistent coughing, weight loss or fever.

BROWN SLEGM

This is probably more likely if you smoke, especially if you are a heavy smoker.

Brown-colored mucus can be caused by dried blood from nosebleeds, a cold, or picking your nose.

It can also be caused by air pollution and inhaling smoke from a fire.

Frequently produced brown-colored sputum with fever, shortness of breath, or chest pain should always be reported to your doctor. However, as with other symptoms, brown sputum can indicate an infection or other conditions.

BLACK PHLEGM

Black phlegm can be caused by inhaling dark-colored dirt or dust. Smoking can also cause black streaks in your mucus.

As a general rule, the darker the mucus, the more likely there is something serious going on.

Although very rare, this could be a fungal or bacterial pneumonia, or a lung disease associated with prolonged inhalation of irritants and/or dust.

In this case, your first step should be a visit to your doctor.

YELLOW OR GREEN MUCH FROM A COLD VIRUS? Here's how to treat it

While the vast majority of coughs and colds are caused by viruses — and therefore aren't helped by antibiotics — there are other steps you can take to ease your symptoms and recover faster, says Dr. Jenkins.

One option are products such as Centoreze, which contains pelargonium – a traditional herbal medicine made from geranium root. Pelargonium is the only herbal medicine specifically recommended by NICE – the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – for coughs, and is also licensed by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency) to treat the symptoms of coughs, colds and sore throats. relieve adults. and children 12 years and older.

Research shows that it prevents the multiplication of certain types of cold and flu viruses by speeding up the speed at which the hairs in the nose move, helping to expel mucus.

'It also blocks the landing sites that viruses and bacteria need to stick to cell walls,' explains Dr Jenkins. 'This means they are brought up more easily because the mucus is cleared from the airways.'

Pelargonium also stimulates the action of immune cells that fight infection, such as white blood cells, and natural killer cells, which engulf and kill bacteria and viruses.

To dry out a runny nose that could be causing your cough, you can try an over-the-counter steroid nasal spray, which is recommended by NHS guidelines after consulting a doctor or pharmacist.

Using a steroid nasal spray will reduce inflammation in the area and reduce mucus production, relieving your nasal symptoms and cough.

If your nose is clogged, first take something to unclog it – a decongestant such as Sudafed or Otrivine, and then something to flush out the mucus that is in the way, a saltwater spray such as Sterimar or your own saltwater nasal rinse (see below). Only once you get rid of the mucus should you consider a steroid nasal spray, otherwise it will just hit the mucus and not affect the skin.

'To make your own nasal saline rinse at home, add ¼ level teaspoon of table salt and ¼ level teaspoon of baking soda (not baking soda) to ½ pint of lukewarm water, advises Dr. Jenkins. 'Place the glass lip against your nose instead of your mouth and 'drink' it through your nose. You cough, swear, splutter and it tastes like you've had ten packets of crisps – it's ugly, but effective!'

Although ibuprofen can reduce pain and fever, you should never take codeine, which is a cough suppressant, Dr. Jenkins warns. “As tempting as that may be, it's not a good thing because it can mask a bacterial infection like pneumonia.”