How much mucus is produced during a cold

Using a small facial steamer or humidifier, taking a hot steamy shower, or even breathing through a warm wet washcloth can give you some relief from thick, crusty mucus. Your doctor will evaluate the character of your mucus as well as the presence or absence of other allergy or cold symptoms. Getting the right diagnosis means you can get the right treatment. Unfortunately, many people misdiagnose themselves, thinking, for example, that a large quantity of thick mucus indicates an allergy which actually is signaled by a lot of watery secretions accompanied by allergy symptoms.

They then mistakenly take antihistamines , which end up drying out the nose and making thick mucus worse. With a bacterial sinus infection you may be able to take a doctor-prescribed antibiotic to treat the cause, but with viral colds the best you can do is correctly treat symptoms, so you want to be sure you have the right match.

Any option is fine, says Ellis. Since the mucus may be infected, make sure you follow basic hygiene after blowing your nose: Carefully dispose of the facial tissue and wash your hands. Also, avoid spitting out your mucus in public. Mucus is so important that your body makes about a quart of the stuff on a normal day. Learn how to live with it when it is out of balance, and you'll be more comfortable until the flow goes back to normal.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. But that doesn't mean it's a good idea: Dutch researchers, among others, have found that nose-picking can spread infections. Mucus, in its natural state, is clear. But that doesn't mean that colored mucus is necessarily a bad thing.

Grey, whitish, or yellowish mucus could simply be the result of dust, pollen, or other particles you've inhaled from the air around you.

On the other hand, these colors can be a sign of an infection , as they can be caused by an excess of white blood cells or pus. And darker colors — like pink, red, or brown — can be a sign of bleeding in your nasal cavity.

Don't use this. The nasal decongestant spray Afrin which has the active ingredient Oxymetazoline works really, really well. Too well. Afrin relieves congestion by cutting down on blood flow to the conchae, rapidly reducing swelling and opening up the nasal cavity. But soon after it wears off, it leads to rebound swelling, with the conchae getting even bigger than they were before.

As a result, many people become totally dependent on Afrin, continuing to use it to fix congestion that it's causing in the first place. Ellis, among others, thinks the spray should be a prescription-only medicine. Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment: to empower through understanding. Financial contributions from our readers are a critical part of supporting our resource-intensive work and help us keep our journalism free for all.

Please consider making a contribution to Vox today to help us keep our work free for all. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Mucus is gross. But here are 9 things you should know about it.

Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. But the simple truth is that without mucus, you wouldn't be alive. American Rhinologic Society Whether you're aware of it or not, you're constantly swallowing all this mucus, and it harmlessly ends up in your stomach. Bruce Blaus The inside of your nose is filled with structures called conchae , or turbinates. Coronades03 The nasal decongestant spray Afrin which has the active ingredient Oxymetazoline works really, really well.

Delivered Fridays. Thanks for signing up! Check your inbox for a welcome email. The cilia move in a way that creates a unified pulse, pushing mucus along in waves.

When the airways are exposed to irritants, goblet cells and submucosal glands produce extra mucus to clear the airways. In addition, infections can cause inflammation in airway tissues, which can likewise trigger the submucosal glands to produce more mucus. During an infection, mucus thickens because it fills with immune cells and entrapped foreign particles. Allergic reactions occur when the immune system responds excessively to a harmless substance.

The reaction triggers the release of histamine — a compound that can cause the airway linings to swell and stimulate the submucosal glands to produce more mucus. Several health issues can cause mucus to build up, either by stimulating excessive production, blocking or reducing mucus elimination, or causing the mucus to thicken.

Many natural products can reduce mucus buildups or treat the respiratory conditions that cause them. Natural remedies with some scientific backing include :. Learn more about how to clear mucus here. When excessive mucus production or buildups happen with no clear cause, contact a healthcare provider. Mucus is key to the functioning of vital organs and the immune system, so the body is continually producing it. Several health issues can lead to a buildup of mucus or cause the body to produce excess.

This can lead to complications. Usually, OTC products and home care techniques can clear excess mucus. Contact a doctor if a mucus buildup has no clear cause, does not resolve with home care, or occurs alongside any other concerning symptoms. Excess phelgm and mucus can cause congestion, coughing, and problems breathing. Learn about 20 simple home remedies that can reduce mucus and phlegm. Mucus serves an important function, but should it be in the stool?

This symptom can sometimes signal a bacterial infection, fissure, or obstruction…. Mucus in the chest can cause discomfort and symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, sleep difficulties, and a sore throat. We describe simple, natural…. Coughing up white mucus may indicate an underlying respiratory condition, such as asthma or COPD, or an infection.