Understanding where the snot comes from and the characteristics of dangerous snot

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Medical Video: Nasal Cleansing - Mayo Clinic

When you have a cold or allergy, you will definitely feel uncomfortable with your nose. The reason is, you will be busy cleaning the nose or runny nose that flows without stopping even though it has been issued many times. Actually, where do you get snot? Can snot be a sign of a problem in the body? Continue reading the following reviews!

Unique facts about snot

Snot is mucus or fluid produced by mucous glands that line the respiratory tract. These channels include the nose, throat, and lungs. The body produces mucus continuously, even reaching one to two liters of mucus every day.

Interestingly, you don't realize that every day you swallow snot when you're not in a cold. This happens when fine hair on the nasal cell (cilia) moves mucus to the nasal passages to the back of the throat and swallows it.

But make no mistake, nasal mucus has an important role for your body, including:

  • Keep the inner layer of the nose moist so it doesn't dry out
  • Catch dust and other particles while breathing
  • Fight infection
  • Moisturizes the inhaled air to make it more comfortable when breathing

Where do you get runny nose?

Normal nasal mucus has a very thin and runny texture. Increased production of snot is one way the body responds to foreign substances that enter the body. Because the snot acts as a barrier to infection by cleaning the nasal organs from particles that cause inflammation.

When the mucous membranes become inflamed, this can make the mucus texture more concentrated. This condition tends to make you uncomfortable when you catch the flu. The cause of inflammation of the mucous membrane can be due to infection, allergies, irritants, or vasomotor rhinitis.

1. Infection

When you have a fever or a cold, the nose becomes more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. The flu virus will trigger the body to release histamine, which is a chemical that triggers inflammation of the nasal membranes. This is why mucus production is increasing and thickening.

However, thickening the mucus texture is not always bad. Because the thickening makes it difficult for bacteria to settle in the lining of the nose. A runny nose is the body's way of removing bacteria and other substances that are not needed to get out of the nose.

2. Allergy

Allergic reactions to dust, pollen, mold, animal hair, or other allergens can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes. Mast cells in the body will release histamine which causes sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion. Furthermore, the nose will exhale excessively snot.

3. Irritant (cause of irritation)

Various non-allergen irritants can trigger inflammation and cause a cold sensation in the short term, for example when you are exposed to cigarette smoke or chlorine after swimming. Eating very spicy foods can also cause temporary inflammation of the nasal membrane. Although not dangerous, this makes the production of mucus become excessive.

4. Vasomotor rhinitis

Have you had a runny nose for a long time? You may experience vasomotor rhinitis. Vasomotor rhinitis is a condition when the blood vessels in the nasal membrane are swollen so that the production of mucus becomes more abundant. This can be triggered by allergies, infections, irritation from the air, and other health problems.

5. Crying

Crying is the only trigger for snot production that has nothing to do with infection, allergies, or other medical conditions. When crying, the tear glands located under the eyelids will produce fluid (tears).

Some tears will flow outward and flow on the cheeks. However, some will flow to the tear duct located at the corner of your eye. Furthermore, this liquid will mix with mucus in the nose so that it is pushed out to become snot.

What is a dangerous runny nose?

Healthy or not your body condition can be seen from the color of snot. Snot color usually tends to be clear and runny. If the color of the snot turns green or yellow, this can be a sign of a bacterial infection developing in the body. This is because white blood cells that fight infections contain green enzymes. If in large quantities, this can cause mucus to turn green.

If you have experienced a change in the color of the mucus the nose becomes red or tanned, this is probably due to the presence of a broken nose blood vessel. This can occur when the nasal lining is too dry or there is a wound from rubbing too hard.

However, changing the color of snot is not always an absolute sign of a bacterial infection in your body. Therefore, immediately ask your doctor for a more precise diagnosis.

Understanding where the snot comes from and the characteristics of dangerous snot
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