Why is the snot green?

If the nasal mucosa is functioning normally, the mucus will be colorless. When an infection enters the nasal passages or for any other reason, the volume of secreted secretion increases significantly. It loses its inherent viscosity and pours out like from a faucet. After a few days, the discharge just as suddenly thickens and changes its color - most often it turns green.

To clearly determine why the snot is green, a nasal smear test is prescribed. If an increased number of neutrophils is found in it, this indicates the active multiplication of harmful bacteria. And when neutrophils are destroyed, a special substance is produced, which makes the discharge green.

Why go green snot

Normal discharge from the nasal passages is needed to protect the body from the pathogenic effects of harmful microflora. When viruses attack the mucous membrane, the discharge becomes more intense and turns green as the inflammation increases. If green snot is observed in an adult, the reasons for this phenomenon are most often explained by the body's fight against infection. Leukocytes are most actively involved in it. These white blood cells after death, as well as the destroyed microbes, reward the snot with an unpleasant green color. In addition, the color of the discharge depends to some extent on the virus that has entered the body.

Why is the snot green and thick? When a virus infects the nasopharynx, information about this incident instantly goes to the brain, which immediately gives the command to the immune system to neutralize it. The immune system directs its cells and many protective bacteria to the place where the virus develops to cope with the virus. Let's give an example: if a person caught a cold, then neutrophils will arrive at the place where the infection occurred, which, as already mentioned, secrete specific substances that give the snot a greenish color. It should be noted that cells of the immune system and bacteria-defenders in the process of eliminating the virus produce iron elements, which are also involved in the greening of nasal secretions.

1. If an adult has green snot, the causes of their occurrence are often reduced to banal bronchitis. The disease is a complication after ARVI, which did not have time to effectively treat at the very beginning of its development. The inflammatory process does not gradually disappear, but goes down the respiratory tract - first into the trachea, and then affects the bronchi. Bronchitis can be recognized by general weakness, cough, green snot, and fever.
2. An inflammatory disease of a viral nature can manifest itself with a green runny nose in an adult. For example, acute sinusitis. This is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, accompanied by the discharge of pus. Such a disease is dangerous, as it is fraught with the development of serious complications.
3. Meningitis. This disease is characterized by a very high temperature, a feeling of chills, a terrible headache, bouts of vomiting, photophobia, weakness of the neck muscles, convulsions and green discharge from the nasal passages.
4. Pharyngitis. It usually manifests itself as a green runny nose, sore throat and ears, and general weakness.
5. Various allergic reactions, pneumonia, and staphylococcal infections are among other causes of green-colored nasal discharge. The latter is dangerous in that it has a detrimental effect on brain cells.

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons for the occurrence of a green rhinitis. Therefore, if such a symptom began to bother you, you should immediately consult a doctor. After all, you can guess the reasons for its occurrence on your own for a long time and to no avail, thereby harming your body.

Let's summarize

A runny nose is not at all a harmless symptom that should go away by itself. Unfortunately, today many people think of him that way. But an illiterate approach to treatment and the further development of complications, which is natural in this case, is fraught with very sad consequences. Therefore, you should adhere to the recommendations of experts:

• do not freeze;
• choose clothes for going outside according to the weather;
• try to follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle;
• do not neglect good rest.

The question of why green snot in an adult stands out from the nose can only be answered by an experienced doctor. To make the correct diagnosis and, accordingly, to prescribe an effective treatment, the cause of the appearance of colored discharge is found out exclusively in the laboratory. Based on the test results and after examining the patient who applied for help, the doctor receives a complete picture of the course of the disease and can determine the course of therapy for a speedy recovery.

If the disease is mild, you can be cured by thoroughly rinsing your nose and using special antiseptic sprays and nasal drops.

When there are complications, the doctor usually prescribes:

• antibiotics;
• drugs for vasoconstriction.

Of course, you can use the best practices of traditional medicine. However, it is permissible for them to supplement the course of treatment with drugs prescribed by a doctor. It is impossible to completely replace medicines with “grandmother's recipes”.