Nasal mucus protects the body from harmful agents and keeps the nostrils from drying out. It contains cells that absorb liquid, carry antibodies, and kill bacteria. The color of mucus can indicate the cause of an infection. There are many treatments, but some doctors caution against blowing your nose.
Nasal mucus is a substance produced in the nose by the mucous membranes. Mucus is produced in many parts of the body for a variety of different reasons. The main reason for nasal mucus is to protect the body from harmful agents that could enter and infect a person. Another reason for mucus in the nose is to keep the skin inside the nostrils from drying out.
Mucus is made up of cells that tend to absorb huge amounts of any liquid. These cells are then mixed with the body’s natural fluids and expand. Mucus also has other cells that carry antibodies and some that are actually antiseptic, meaning they can sometimes directly kill any bacteria they encounter. The consistency of mucus often changes depending on how much water is mixed with it, so it can sometimes be very runny, or it can be thick or even crusty.
A person’s body produces nasal mucus in response to many perceived threats. For example, if the body detects allergens in the air, it will produce more mucus to get rid of them. In this way, nasal mucus is almost like tree sap. Both tree sap and nasal mucus act to trap incoming threats and both dry up, thus neutralizing such threats. A lot of mucus will come out of the nose, but a good deal of it is usually swallowed, which allows the stomach to destroy any threat trapped inside.
The color of the nasal mucus can sometimes provide clues to the cause. Most doctors state that clear mucus is usually a sign of some type of immediate physical response, generally suggesting allergies or an immediate bacterial threat. Many doctors believe that white mucus can suggest some type of viral infection, while dark green mucus is known to suggest a long-standing bacterial infection. Mucus color is not always considered a reliable indicator, but in some cases people may use it to make cursory judgments about their condition.
There are many treatments for excess nasal mucus, along with several home remedies. The simplest remedy is to simply blow your nose, but some doctors think this can cause sinus infections. There are also medications called antihistamines that limit the body’s immune response and can potentially thin out nasal mucus. Some experts suggest that messing with mucus can actually be counterproductive because it can short-circuit the body’s natural defense mechanisms.
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