What is snot and where does it come from? What are snot made of?

Unfortunately, most people are susceptible to colds, and suffer from this illness several times a year. Often an integral part of any cold is snot, which causes us a lot of trouble and discomfort.

“Where does snot come from and where does a runny nose come from?” – these questions interest many. To date, doctors have formulated a number of reasons for the appearance of snot and runny nose.

What is snot?

Snot (scientifically called “nasal mucus”) is produced in the human nasal cavity. Snot plays an important role in the human body. Their function is to protect our respiratory tract. The human respiratory system produces snot to protect the lungs from dehydration and dust.

Snot is made up of water, salt, and a protein called mucin, which is what makes the snot thick. It is nasal mucus that protects us from bacteria and dangerous viruses.

During the day, the mucous membrane of the human nasal cavity is capable of producing from 10 to 100 ml of nasal mucus.

Causes of runny nose and snot

The main cause of snot is hypothermia. The common cold virus most often attacks people during cold weather. Many scientists have been able to prove this fact by conducting research and experiments with large groups of people.

Another cause of snot is an allergic reaction. Under the influence of an allergen, the mucous membrane produces more proteins, which, in turn, create a denser protective layer. Under the influence of moisture, the mucin protein can significantly increase in size, so the snot becomes much larger.

Likewise, the amount of snot increases during colds. In this case, greater protein production is necessary to fight viruses. Nasal mucus is constantly produced and, having fulfilled its function, flows out. This fact is the answer to the question why snot flows.

Why is snot green?

The type and stage of a person’s disease can be determined by the color of nasal mucus. Snot can be clear, yellow, brown or green.

The green color of the snot indicates that the disease is advanced. Often green snot indicates bronchitis or pneumonia. When the human body is infected with a virus, the immune system produces special substances to fight the disease. It is these substances that give nasal mucus its green color.

The appearance of green snot indicates that the body is fighting the virus. To fight effectively, you should stay warm and drink more fluids. Also, during this period, a weakened body needs a complete diet rich in vitamins.

Why is snot yellow?

Yellow and brown mucus often appears in people who smoke. When it enters the respiratory system, nicotine settles on the mucous membrane and colors the secreted snot yellowish.

If yellow snot appears in a non-smoker, it can mean the presence of a serious disease in the body, possibly even cancer. In this case, you must urgently contact a therapist or ENT specialist.

How to cure snot?

Most people have a runny nose several times a year. But not everyone can explain what snot is, where it comes from, what snot is needed for and why it often has a green tint. Some believe that snot is a substance flowing from the brain, others call it the cytoplasm of the blood. For still others, the question of where snot comes from remains a mystery.

What is snot, its composition

Scientifically speaking, snot is nasal mucus. Even a child knows where snot forms: in the nasal cavity. Oddly enough, mucous secretions play a rather important role: they protect the respiratory tract from dust and dehydration. For those who are aware of this, the question does not arise: “Why do we need snot?”

However, only a few people know what snot is made of. It turns out that their composition is quite simple:

• water;
• salts (that's why snot is salty);
• several types of proteins, for example: mucin protein, which makes nasal mucus thick.

In addition, nasal secretions contain antibodies against bacteria and viruses, including enzymes that kill pathogens. Thus, mucus is a kind of filter that protects the lungs

from the penetration of small debris.

What are they made of?

Scientifically, snot is called nasal mucus. The mucus released plays a protective role, preventing the mucous membrane from drying out, infections entering the nasopharynx and dehydration of the lungs. Snot consists of a number of substances, which determine its qualities:

• water;
• mucin;
• salt;
• dead epithelial cells.

The composition also contains organic acids in small quantities. The consistency of mucus is determined by the volume of mucin; the more mucin there is in the mucus, the thicker it is. The mucin protein has pronounced antibacterial properties. It appears not only during respiratory diseases; this substance is always in the nose of any person. When interacting with moisture, this protein grows several times in size, due to which snot begins to flow.

When a person cries, a lot of snot always forms in his nasal turbinates, this is also explained by the fact that mucin absorbs moisture and gets wet. In this case, moisture is taken from the eyes.

If for some reason the mucus in the nose stagnates, it becomes an excellent breeding ground for bacteria.

Why, when and how snot is formed

Probably every person has had the thought of how snot forms in the nose: they appear, it turns out, thanks to the retinal mucosa present in the nasal cavity. The volume and size of the discharge depends on the mucin protein, which, in contact with moisture, can increase the amount of mucus.

With an advanced infectious disease, an unpleasant smell from the nose often appears. In such situations, the question usually arises: “Why does snot stink?” The stench most often indicates the formation of purulent discharge, which is considered a complication of the disease. Therefore, you should immediately seek qualified help.

In a healthy person, the nasal mucosa produces approximately 100 ml of snot per day. And during illness - up to 2 liters, since in this case the body’s protective reaction causes snot.

Main reasons for education

Most often, a severe runny nose appears during illness, but there are other times when mucus is released from the nose. For example, when a person cries, snot flows. Many people are interested in why this happens. In reality, everything is quite simple: tears enter the nasal cavity, this creates additional moisture.

It is also common to produce more mucus when eating hot food. It is also not difficult to explain why snot appears after eating. This is due to the tone of the blood vessels of the nasal concha. It increases, and the production of snot accelerates.

Don’t immediately panic if you have snot in the morning: during sleep, under certain circumstances, nasal mucus can accumulate in the nasopharynx. However, it is still worth seeing a doctor, because when diagnosed with an allergy, snot is the first sign

. In this case, down and feather pillows should be considered as the main irritant.

In essence, vaccination is the introduction of a neutralized pathogen into the body. This helps develop immunity to the disease. However, any such intervention reduces protective reactions for some time, so, for example, snot after DTP or vaccination against hepatitis B is quite possible.

But you shouldn’t associate mantu and snot. In this case, a runny nose usually indicates the onset of a cold. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that any vaccination is given only to a healthy person. Therefore, snot after mantoux or another vaccine, as a rule, indicates the addition of an infection. This means you need to see a doctor.

Where does snot in a person’s nose come from - what is its role in the body?

Sooner or later, faced with the fact that the nose is stuffy and snot causes discomfort, a person wonders where a runny nose comes from and for what purpose is this mucus produced? Is this an unfortunate misunderstanding or a manifestation of a defensive reaction?

What is snot and what does it consist of?

Snot (nasal mucus) is a secretion produced by the glands of the nasal cavity. Their task:

• protect the respiratory system from unnecessary substances (dust, debris) entering the respiratory tract;
• moisten the walls of the nasal cavity and the incoming air;
• fight pathogenic bacteria.

Nasal secretion consists of useful components. The basis of snot is water, and the content of mucin in the mucus makes it thicker. It consists almost entirely of sugar and upon contact with liquid is capable of increasing in size many times over.

The mucus contains salt and components involved in protecting the body from pathogens.

When breathing, dust and dead cells are mixed with the existing mucus, then dried crusts form from them, which are removed mechanically.

Thus, mucus acts as a filtering component that does not allow germs and dust to penetrate inside a person. When unnecessary particles enter the nose, a person sneezes, thereby getting rid of foreign substances.

Where does snot come from in a person's nose?

The normal functioning of the human respiratory system does not exist without the production of mucus in the nasal cavity. Normally, a healthy person produces half a liter of this substance per day. It goes to moisturizing the membranes and does not cause discomfort.

The question of where constant snot comes from arises in a person after increasing their usual amount. In this case, discomfort appears, and the sensation in the nose is similar to tickling. Nothing happens without a reason. When you have a runny nose, mucin is produced in increased quantities. It forms a protective barrier that prevents bacteria from entering.

After the loss of bactericidal properties, the spent mucus leaves the nose, and in return a new protective layer appears.

The stronger the attack of bacteria on the human body, the stronger the production of muconasal secretion. In this case, the reason for the appearance of nozzles can be judged by color:

• Colorless snot indicates allergic rhinitis; it can be the result of eating hot and spicy foods or produced during prolonged crying.
• Snot with a green or yellow tint appears when an infection enters the body. The coloring is caused by the production of white blood cells (neutrophils).
• Mucus with blood streaks occurs during active nose blowing due to burst blood vessels or chronic atrophic rhinitis (this disease causes the formation of microcracks on the walls of the nasal cavity).

Another reason for increased secretion production is the body’s reaction to mechanical damage. When scratches occur, mucus envelops the damaged area, thereby protecting it from infection.

Why and how does snot form during illness?

Every person in his life has felt increased humidity in the nasal cavity, but few people have wondered where the snot comes from in a sick person?

The root cause of the disease is the entry of microbes into the internal systems of a person. This can happen when communicating with a patient.

When you have a cold and get germs, the blood vessels dilate and swelling appears. The glands that produce mucus in the nasal cavity also speed up their activity when infected to protect against pathogens.

The occurrence of snot is necessary to create a barrier against pathogenic bacteria.

Along with an increase in the amount of mucus produced, its increased density is observed. This happens due to increased mucin content. In this case, the formation of snot occurs not only in the visible part of the nasal concha, but also in the adjacent sinuses. The thicker the snot, the more advanced the disease. If a runny nose is not treated, fluid stagnation will occur and sinusitis may develop.

Is it possible to eat snot

Since a runny nose gets worse during illness, many people often wonder: is it possible to eat snot? Whether it is harmful or not - everyone should know, although nasal mucus is swallowed mainly by children. It is quite stupid to make a complaint against a baby that he eats snot: chewing it, of course, is undesirable, but it is difficult to explain this to small children.

The situation is different when adults eat snot: there are several reasons why they do this. It's one thing if you can't blow your nose. And it’s completely different when this is done intentionally, and without thinking about what will happen if there is snot.

Many doctors believe that the habit of eating snot is formed in childhood: how can we prevent adults from doing this? Probably no specialist will give a clear answer. The most suitable option is to popularly explain whether eating snot is healthy and why it is better not to do it.

Sometimes snot comes out through the mouth: why this happens is not difficult to explain. After all, the nose and mouth are quite closely interconnected. It’s not for nothing that when these organs become ill, only one doctor, an otolaryngologist, deals with treatment.

Despite the fact that nasal mucus protects the body from the penetration of many bacteria, a runny nose is a rather serious problem.

. Therefore, before finding out whether snot is contagious, it is necessary to identify the nature of the disease. Indeed, under certain circumstances, mucous discharge from the nose does not pose any threat. However, if the cause of their formation is an infection, then the risk of infection is significant.

Any person knows what a cold, runny nose and snot are - the latter are the most unpleasant symptoms of diseases. If you ask the question where snot comes from, you will hear a lot of things - they will tell you about the outflow of fluid from the brain, and about the filtration of blood plasma, and about the release of excess moisture from the lungs, and much more. Such pseudoscientific hypotheses are fundamentally incorrect - none of them have any basis in reality. Let's look at where snot comes from in the human body and why it is needed.

Doctors believe that any person needs to know what snot is, and in scientific terms - nasal mucus. Their chemical composition is quite simple:

• water - 95%;
• mucin protein - 3%;
• salts and solutions of various chemical compounds - 1%;
• enzymes, free amino acids, lipids and other organic substances - up to 1%.

Of greatest interest is the protein mucin, which is found not only in the nose and snot, but also in other parts of the human body. It contains quite a large amount of sugar and other complex hydrocarbon compounds. Thanks to this, the protein is able to absorb a large volume of water and thicken it - which is why snot has a similar consistency.

However, one should also not neglect the last point, which includes less than 1% of the mass of snot.

When you have a cold, the human body releases a lot of enzymes, some of which pass into nasal mucus. Such organic compounds are able to fight bacteria and viruses, significantly alleviating the patient’s condition.

Salt solutions are also important, but their function is different - they support normal nutrition of surrounding tissues, ensuring the health of the human body.

Nasal mucus may contain other components, in such cases it also changes its color, allowing the doctor to make a diagnosis by quickly determining the type of disease. The most common is green and thick white snot, which may indicate viral and bacterial diseases. However, we will leave this topic for last, but for now let’s talk about the mechanism of the appearance of nasal mucus and its purpose.

Snot - what is it?

A person begins to think about what snot is at an early age. Basically, mucous secretions do not bother us, but only until pathogenic processes begin in the body. Excessive production of mucous secretions causes such an unpleasant phenomenon as a runny nose. So why do we need this viscous liquid?

Functions of mucus in the nose

Snot is produced by the respiratory system in the nasal cavity. This is a special secret necessary for the normal functioning of the body. It performs a number of very useful functions:

• prevents dust and small particles of debris from entering the respiratory tract;
• moistens mucous membranes;
• helps to humidify the air entering the body;
• fights pathogenic viruses and bacteria.

We need snot to enrich all internal organs and tissues with oxygen. To prevent organ damage, nasal mucus humidifies the air up to 100% and warms or cools it to 36.6 ᵒC. These are the ideal air parameters for assimilation.

When bacteria or viruses enter our body, the proteins and amino acids contained in nasal secretions go into battle. They fight pathogens. This is evidenced by excessive mucus production, which we used to call a runny nose. This is how the protection of the respiratory tract from the penetration of pathogenic agents works.

Components of snot

The mucus produced in the human nose contains a large number of useful components. The basis of snot is water. However, we know that mucus is not the same consistency as water. What makes it thicker? A special protein is mucin. It consists of almost 100% sugar and, in contact with moisture, can increase in volume 600 times.

Mucus also contains salt. Those who are “lucky enough” to taste snot know this. Mucus also contains proteins and enzymes that are directly responsible for the fight against viral and infectious diseases. They recognize pathogens, actively attack them and prevent them from entering the respiratory tract.

Dead cells and dust that we inhale through the air are also part of the mucus. All impurities unnecessary for the body remain in the nose; over time, they turn into boogers and are removed mechanically. Snot prevents foreign particles from entering the lungs and bronchi. This is why our nasal cavity produces these secretions every day.

Normal mucus secretion

Contrary to the belief of ordinary people, mucus is produced in the nose constantly, and not only during colds. We inhale about 2,000 liters of air per day, and this entire volume needs to be heated or cooled, humidified, and cleared of dust and dirt in order for the body to function normally. It is impossible to do this without snot; they act as a natural filter for the respiratory tract.

The nose of a healthy person produces approximately 500-700 ml of mucus per day. We do not notice its presence, because the secretions flow down the back wall of the nasopharynx into the throat, and we simply swallow them. This is not dangerous to health, since gastric juice kills all viruses and bacteria that may be contained in snot.

However, there are often cases when secretion production increases several dozen times. This indicates disturbances in the body.

Is it possible to eat snot?

Young children often eat nasal discharge, and this should not be mistaken for a pathology. We constantly involuntarily swallow mucus, there is nothing wrong with that. However, swallowing snot is safe only if there is no infectious process in the body.

For bacterial and infectious diseases, it is recommended to remove snot by washing or blowing your nose. You should not swallow such secretions, as they may contain pathogenic microorganisms that disrupt digestion. It is best to stay at home in the midst of illness in order to cleanse your nose on time.

Snot color

When the mucus composition is normal and we are healthy, the snot has a liquid consistency. They do not leak from the nose and do not make breathing difficult. If any abnormalities occur in the functioning of the body, the color of the discharge changes. The appearance of the secretion can tell a lot about a person’s disease, for example:

• Liquid transparent mucus indicates an allergic reaction. It also often appears as a result of exposure to cold air, when tasting too spicy or hot dishes, while crying or at the very beginning of an infectious disease.
• Yellow, yellow-green or green mucus is characteristic of the height of bacterial and viral infections. Snot turns this color due to the active production of neurophilites - white blood cells that fight pathogenic microorganisms. When neurophilites die, they release a green pigment.
• Snot mixed with blood indicates that you are either blowing your nose too intensely, which leads to damage to blood vessels, or you have chronic atrophic rhinitis, a disease in which microcracks occur in the dry mucous membrane of the nose.

Causes of a runny nose

Rhinitis (runny nose) is the excessive formation of nasal mucus. This process is associated not only with the onset of ARVI or other infectious diseases, it can be episodic. Let's consider what are the causes of mucosal hypersecretion.

1. Hypothermia. We have all noticed that snot appears in the cold in winter. This is a normal process, since the inhaled air is heated to body temperature in the mucous membrane and then exits through it. Due to the large difference in ambient temperature and exhaled air, an excessive amount of mucus is formed.
2. The air is too dry or hot. As the mucous membrane dries out under such conditions, it begins to produce more secretions. To avoid this, make sure that the room temperature does not exceed 20 ᵒC, and the air humidity does not fall below 60-70%.
3. Cry. The nose and eyes are closely interconnected. When a person cries, an excess of tears enters the nasal cavity, which leads to the release of snot.
4. Hot and spicy dishes. A runny nose is an absolutely normal reaction of the body to the high temperature of food or its spiciness. When eating food, the vessels in the nasal concha dilate, and mucus is formed more actively.
5. Allergy. What caused the allergy can only be determined by taking tests. Any allergens entering the nose cause a protective reaction of the mucous membrane; it tries to displace them through excessive formation of nasal mucus.
6. Infections. Viral, fungal and bacterial diseases also activate protective processes. Mucus prevents pathogenic organisms from entering the respiratory tract. In this case, snot from one nostril, increased body temperature, headache and other symptoms of the disease may be observed.

How to treat a runny nose

Before deciding how exactly to eliminate snot, you need to find out what led to its excessive secretion. There is no such independent disease as a runny nose.

This is a condition of the body that is a consequence of various pathological processes. To understand what caused the violation, you need to see a specialist.

The doctor will be able to determine the causes of the illness and prescribe effective treatment.

Medications:

• Antihistamines. Block the action of histamine. Used to treat allergic rhinitis.
• Vasoconstrictors. Suitable for relieving swelling of the mucous membrane. They should be used very carefully, since long-term use (more than 7 days) can lead to addiction and the development of atrophic rhinitis. With this disease, the mucous membrane becomes depleted and becomes dry, and therefore cannot fully perform its functions.

Ways to eliminate symptoms

To prevent complications from occurring, you need to very carefully study why you have a runny nose. If the disease proceeds normally and does not have any alarming symptoms, then taking measures to improve nasal breathing will be sufficient. Medicines should be used only in extreme cases on the recommendation of a doctor. The following will help improve your condition:

• Inhalations. Inhaling the steam of essential oils or saline solution is very useful for facilitating nasal breathing. This can be done not only in the clinic, but also at home.
• Washing. It is recommended to rinse the nose with medicinal infusions and decoctions with an antibacterial effect. A saline solution, which is sold in pharmacies or made at home, is also perfect. Using these products, you can not only wash away the mucus, but also thin out the mucus that cannot be blown out due to its thick consistency.
• Moisturizing the mucous membrane. After cleansing your nose, be sure to treat the mucous membrane with a moisturizer. Solutions with vitamins A and E, peach or sea buckthorn oil, and glycerin solution are suitable for this.

Precautionary measures

To prevent snot from flowing out of your nose and making breathing difficult, you need to be very responsible about your health. The following measures can be used as prevention:

• hardening of the body;
• increasing local and general immunity;
• balanced fortified diet;
• wearing protective masks during epidemics;
• maintaining optimal humidity and temperature in the house.

To boost your immunity, walk more in the fresh air, play sports, and play active games. It is better to replace vitamin supplements with natural products.

If frequent rhinitis is associated with enlarged adenoids or other physiological characteristics, you should seek help from surgeons.

Drawing conclusions

Snot is an integral part of our body’s activities; they are charged with a huge number of tasks that they cope with daily. Not only pathological changes, but also common irritating factors can lead to excessive mucus formation.

If you are worried about a runny nose accompanied by other symptoms, this is a reason to see a doctor. Timely treatment of the disease that caused the disorder will help you quickly return to your normal rhythm of life.

Paschenko Dasha

Sources: medscape.com, health.harvard.edu, medicalnewstoday.com.

Source: https://globalmedclub.ru/sopli/prichiny/chto-takoe.html

Origin and purpose

To understand where snot comes from, it’s worth looking at its medical name mentioned at the beginning of the article - nasal mucus. They are secreted by mucous membranes, which protect the respiratory tract from the penetration of bacteria and accidental damage from various objects. Mucin, which is secreted from the mucous membranes in the nose, upon contact with any source of moisture increases approximately 600 times, which is the reason for the constant appearance of snot in any cold.

Knowing what snot is, you can easily guess its purpose. They capture external irritants, such as dust and microscopic objects that can cause damage to the human body. Thanks to this, the patient’s condition significantly improves and the progression of the disease slows down. Also, nasal mucus envelops the inner surface of the nostrils, nourishing them with moisture, salts and other vital substances, preventing the development of various diseases.

https://youtu.be/-07c6P-rbTI

In 90% of cases, snot appears due to a runny nose caused by a certain infection. If the snot is sticky and has a clearly visible white tint, there is a very high probability of bacterial infection of the human respiratory tract. If the nasal mucus is green, a viral infection is to blame, which will be much more difficult to fight. Snot catches microorganisms and traps them, preventing them from penetrating further into the body - this is why the slightest infections do not cause pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis and other serious diseases.

About 8% of the remaining cases of snot are associated with allergies. In case of allergic rhinitis, nasal mucus is necessary to trap irritants, which can be represented by household dust, pollen and various chemical compounds. An additional volume of mucus forms in the nose, which serves as a kind of barrier to the penetration of allergens into the deep respiratory tract. In addition, nasal mucus prevents the inside of the nostrils from drying out, which causes the formation of painful microtraumas that serve as a kind of “gate” for infection.

If you want to know where the snot comes from in the remaining 2% of cases, then you should pay attention to injuries that can be caused to the nostrils by fingers or by inhaling various substances. Nasal mucus provides improved nutrition to the damaged area and promotes wound healing as quickly as possible. Snot can appear when the body is hypothermic - they are a protective reaction of the body preparing for an attack by pathogens. In addition, an increased volume of nasal mucus may appear during irritation caused by vasomotor rhinitis, drug addiction, and other special cases. You should also know that snot is constantly in a person’s nose, but it is invisible due to its small volume.

Any person, regardless of gender and age, is susceptible to colds. This disease occurs at least several times throughout life, but children's bodies are most susceptible to it. During this period, colds can appear up to 3-5 times a year.

A common symptom of a cold is a runny nose, and a runny nose is a stuffy nose and snot. The question arises: “Where do these snot and runny noses come from?”

Where do snot and runny nose come from?

In fact, a runny nose (rhinitis) and snot are not different signs of a cold, but two interrelated, complementary symptoms.

Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which can be either infectious or other in nature. And snot is protective mucus, the same mucous membranes.

In a normal state, snot is released in small quantities, just enough to prevent the inner surface of the nasal grooves from drying out, protecting them not only from dehydration, but also from small mechanical particles, such as dust.

The composition of snot is salt, water and glycoprotein (protein) mucin. The thicker the snot, the more mucin protein compounds it contains.

The main component of snot, mucin, determines another property of mucus - antiviral and bactericidal. (By the way, “mucus” means “mucus” in English).

If we consider the general composition of snot, it is up to 95% water, 3% mucins, 1% salts and 0.5-2% - various lipids, nucleic acids and free proteins.

However, let's return to the issue of the occurrence of snot

Why does snot appear?

The cause of up to 90% of all cases of snot is hypothermia, which undermines the immune system and allows viruses to gain a foothold on the nasal mucosa, where they begin to multiply profusely. To which the body reacts with copious secretion of snot, which has a pronounced antiviral effect.

The cause of about 10% of cases of snot is a reaction to allergens. In this case, snot serves to protect the mucous membranes from allergens, an attempt by the body to wash them from the inner surfaces of the nose. If the source of the allergy has disappeared, then the mucus quickly ceases to be released.

And finally, the last, rarest reason for the appearance of snot is mechanical damage to the surface of the nasal mucosa. In this case, the snot serves to protect the wound from infection and speed up its healing.

Why is snot flowing?

Sometimes you can hear a seemingly strange question from a child: Why is snot flowing? But if you think about it carefully, it doesn’t seem so strange. Indeed, why do snot flow if it would seem that it would be enough for them to envelop the mucous membranes, thereby protecting them from external influences.

In fact, this is what happens under normal conditions. But when the body is attacked by viruses, mucus begins to flow without stopping.

The thing is that by destroying harmful microbes, the mucus itself loses its bactericidal and antiviral properties, so it constantly needs to be updated. The used one flows out in the form of snot, and the fresh one is generated by the mucous membrane.

What determines the thickness of snot?

Viruses are the main cause of a runny nose and snot, but if you are unable to get rid of it within two to three days, a bacterial infection replaces the viral infection. Bacteria are larger than viruses and have a completely different physiological structure. It takes more snot to neutralize them.

But the body is not a mucus production machine; it cannot produce more than a certain volume, which is limited to 150 glands per square centimeter capable of secreting up to 500 ml per day. Therefore, another path is chosen - saturation of the mucus with mucins, which naturally leads to an increase in the thickness of the snot.

The more advanced the disease, the more bacteria have multiplied on the mucous membrane, the thicker the snot.

Where does snot come from? Every person throughout his life is faced with the phenomenon of rhinitis, so he is interested in issues related to this disease.

For example, why is mucous discharge salty, or how and where does the mucus that accumulates in the nose come from, does it turn into snot, and much more?

Nasal discharge appears at any time and is not always due to the development of colds. It is worth noting that such a minor symptom of any disease brings a lot of inconvenience and problems.

Moreover, they do not always appear when you cry or have a cold. In general, first things first.

As was said earlier, if the nose is snotty, then this is not a separate disease, but rather a sign of some significant pathology. In humans, mucous discharge in the nose can appear for a variety of reasons.

However, the factors that cause a runny nose to develop should be identified so as not to miss the onset of the development of any serious disease.

Snot is a nasal mucous secretion that is a product of the secretory activity of many glands located in the nasal mucosa. Thanks to the secretion of such mucus, the respiratory organs are protected from the effects of harmful factors. Thus, green snot performs the following functions:

1. disinfect;
2. collect dirt and dust;
3. moisturize;
4. kill harmful microbes;
5. warm.

The composition of mucus is salts, water and proteins, the main one of which is mucin, which makes the discharge thicker. If the secretion is normal, then the glands produce up to 100 ml of the substance in 24 hours, due to which a protective barrier is formed and mucus is not released from the nasal cavity. And with poor mucus production in the nose, a feeling of discomfort and dryness occurs.

Therefore, not all mucus can be called snot, but only part of it that accumulates in the nose or is released outward, that is, a liquefied or excess composition.

Thus, to the question: where does snot come from in a person’s nose, we can answer that it is formed when the structure, composition or secretory function of mucus is disrupted, as a result of which it turns into snot.

When green discharge flows in copious amounts from the nasal cavity, this phenomenon is called a runny nose.

It is worth noting that with abnormal mucus synthesis, its volume can be up to two liters per day.

What is snot and where does it come from in the nose?

Snot or runny nose is an unpleasant phenomenon that every person encounters at least once. Not everyone correctly understands what snot is and where it comes from in the nose. Moreover, the different color and consistency of nasal discharge can tell about the type of disease and help you choose the right treatment. Let's find out more about this.

In the nasal mucosa there are special glands that constantly produce a specific secretion. A healthy person normally secretes up to 600-700 ml of mucus daily. Its main function is to moisturize and protect the nasal mucosa.

The main component of mucus is water; in addition, it includes:

• Mucin is a carbohydrate-protein compound that has enveloping and protective properties;
• Lysozyme and other enzymes. They have bactericidal properties;
• Salts and proteins.

The cilia, which are located on the epithelium of the nasal mucosa, help mucus move to the nasopharynx and it constantly flows into the throat, and from there into the esophagus and stomach.

In the stomach, ingested mucus and snot are destroyed by hydrochloric acid. Therefore, even purulent discharge, which sometimes has to be swallowed when you have a runny nose, is effectively neutralized and does not cause harm to the body.

Additionally, particles of dust, bacteria and other inclusions can be found in the mucus. With various diseases, the composition of mucus changes and it can change its color: from almost transparent normally to green, yellow and even orange.

How does snot form during illness?

When pathogenic viruses and bacteria enter the mucous membrane, local dilation of blood vessels occurs and, as a result, the appearance of edema. Protective cells rush to the source of inflammation and try to destroy foreign microorganisms.

This inflammatory response causes a larger than normal amount of mucus to be produced in order to protect the body. This is where the snot in the nose comes from.

In the first days of the illness, the patient develops snot in large quantities and is almost transparent. Later, their color changes, which is due to the penetration of destroyed microbes, as well as protective cells, into this mucus.

What can cause a runny nose

The key cause of snot is an inflammatory reaction. What diseases cause a runny nose:

• Banal acute rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal mucosa. In addition, snot can be a symptom of other forms of runny nose: chronic, atrophic, hyperplastic, etc.
• Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (frontal sinusitis, sinusitis, etc.).
• Adenoids and adenoiditis (inflammatory process in the nasopharyngeal tonsil). More common in children.
• In addition to the inflammatory reaction, the cause of snot is often an allergy. A runny nose can be caused by polluted air or foreign bodies entering the nose.

In patients with abnormalities in the structure of the nasal cavity, the cause of a runny nose may be a ridge or thorn on the nasal septum. Such curvature constantly irritates the mucous membrane and causes hyperproduction of mucus.

What can the color of snot tell you?

In a healthy person, physiological nasal discharge is transparent. Normally, people do not notice the amount of mucus that regularly flows down the back wall of the throat and envelops the mucous membrane.

When faced with infection, dust and other foreign agents, the mucus changes its color and begins to bother the patient. Therefore, it is not so important where the snot comes from, but what matters is how it looks. What can the color and consistency of snot tell you?

Liquid and transparent

Such discharge occurs in the initial stages of a runny nose, when a person is just faced with a viral infection. As a rule, a watery runny nose is accompanied by a sore throat, cough, watery eyes and other symptoms of a cold.

Copious clear mucus may be a sign of an allergic reaction. In such cases, when confronted with a significant allergen, a person begins to secrete clear water from the nose. Added to this are lacrimation, sneezing and itching.

In older people, watery nasal discharge is associated with impaired vascular permeability and age-related restructuring of the mucous membrane. This condition is called “senile runny nose.” Transparent snot occurs with vasomotor rhinitis in pregnant women. In this situation, hyperproduction of mucus is caused by hormonal changes in the woman’s body.

Yellow and thick

In childhood, this symptom occurs with inflammation of the adenoids.

This type of snot is characteristic of a bacterial runny nose or sinusitis of the sinuses. The color of the discharge is due to the microorganisms that get there, destroyed by leukocytes and other inclusions. Thick yellow snot on one side may be a sign of unilateral sinusitis or a foreign body in the nose.

Orange snot

If a patient has a cyst (a bubble filled with fluid) in one of the paranasal sinuses, then when it bursts, the mucus turns orange. Such discharge begins suddenly and ends quickly and is usually not accompanied by any symptoms of illness. Sometimes the orange color of snot is associated with foreign bodies and impurities of this shade getting into the nose.

Green or yellow-green

A green runny nose appears in the last stages of the disease (with rhinitis or sinusitis). You should be wary if the patient was recovering and suddenly began to develop green snot. Perhaps the runny nose became a complication and turned into sinusitis or frontal sinusitis. In addition, this type of snot can occur in chronic processes.

The green, foul-smelling pus that the patient and others feel may be a sign of odontogenic sinusitis (a form of disease caused by a diseased tooth in the upper jaw).

Green, foul-smelling crusts are one of the signs of ozena, a foul-smelling runny nose caused by the bacterium Klebsiella. At the same time, the patient himself does not feel this smell, because atrophy of the olfactory nerves occurs.

What complications can develop if a runny nose is not treated?

An acute runny nose in a healthy person can go away on its own within a few days. For recovery, it is enough to humidify the air and rinse the nose with saline solutions.

But things are not always so rosy. The most common runny nose can lead to the development of complications under unfavorable circumstances.

What are these complications?

• With colds and acute respiratory viral infections, the infection often goes down and becomes the cause of laryngitis, bronchitis and even pneumonia.
• Untreated, prolonged runny nose leads to restructuring of the nasal mucosa and becomes chronic. Such rhinitis is almost impossible to cure, and it constantly reminds itself of itself through a series of exacerbations.
• Snot in the nose causes inflammation of the middle ear. This complication often occurs in children. The connection between the nasal cavity and the ear occurs through the auditory tube. In case of inflammation in the nose, the infection passes through the auditory tube into the ear cavity and causes otitis media.
• Sinusitis. An ordinary runny nose often turns into prolonged sinusitis or frontal sinusitis. One, several, or all of the paranasal sinuses may become inflamed.
• Through the nasolacrimal duct, pathogenic microbes enter the eye and lead to the development of conjunctivitis.
• In people with weakened immune systems, a common runny nose causes generalization of the process and leads to the development of severe complications (abscess, sepsis, meningitis).

Rare complications

In addition to the diseases described above, in medicine there is a classification of rare complications:

• Inflammation of the lacrimal ducts, a disease called dacryocystitis. At this moment, the canal is blocked, so purulent exudate begins to accumulate, which eventually accumulates in the lacrimal sac. The first signs of the disease are purulence from the eyes, redness and swelling of the eyelid.
• Polyps are benign formations, the main cause of which is chronic, untreated runny nose. For the same reason, the patient has an increased risk of developing hyposmia – decreased sense of smell. This phenomenon is also provoked by uncontrolled intake of vasoconstrictor drops.

In order to avoid complications, it is necessary to pay special attention to the duration of the runny nose. If rhinitis continues even with timely treatment for more than 2 weeks, this already indicates complications.

Prevention

Preventive measures are divided into several groups.

The first group includes activities aimed at general health promotion:

• Compliance with the principles of a healthy lifestyle;
• Hardening;
• Long walks;
• Air humidification and purification;
• Use of protective equipment when working in contaminated conditions.

An important stage in prevention is enhancing the immune system and stimulating the body’s reactivity. You can improve your immunity at home by including vegetables and fruits that are rich in vitamins and minerals in your diet.

As for the body's reactivity, taking herbal adaptogens is considered the most effective. You can buy eleutherococcus or echinacea at the pharmacy. The dosage and method of administration are prescribed by the doctor.

Currently, preventive sprays and tablets have been developed that contain bacterial lysotes. Such drugs have an immunostimulating spectrum of action, thereby forming antibodies of the lgA type in the body.

The second group includes measures that are aimed at preventing a runny nose:

• Rinsing and irrigating the nose with saline solutions;
• Limiting contact with sick people, especially during the season of cold infections;
• Elimination of other foci of chronic infection in the body (caries, tonsillitis);
• Elimination of abnormalities in the structure of the nose that prevent a person from breathing fully (deviated septum, etc.).

In order for a runny nose to go away as quickly as possible, treatment should begin with the first signs of the disease. For example, rinse and clean the nasal cavity and instill interferon there. In the initial stages, traditional medicine has a good effect: inhalations, foot baths, aromatherapy.

Snot is the body’s protective reaction to inflammation. This unpleasant symptom signals that something is wrong in the body. The color of the discharge helps the doctor in diagnosis and allows you to choose the right treatment for different types of problems.

The whole truth about snot. What causes your nose to run?

How are snot formed?

How and where does snot come from? The pathogenesis of the appearance of discharge in humans is associated with a change in the volume of fluid already produced due to the influence of external factors and an increased amount of enzyme produced.

A person sniffles when bacteria, viruses or some allergens enter the nasal cavity, so a natural reaction of the immune system appears to increase the synthesis of mucus, mixed with non-living infected organisms, which turns into snot. Thus, an excessive amount of substance is formed, which is expelled, which explains where the snot comes from.

In addition, the liquid turns into snot with increased tone of the blood vessels, many of which are located in the nasal mucosa.

In addition, a person often sniffles due to the influence of external factors such as moisture (especially salty moisture) entering the nasal cavity. When it affects the mucous membranes, the mucin expands, so the mucus liquefies and its volume increases.

Depending on the factors of occurrence, snot may have a different composition, color (most often it is green) and consistency.

The chemical composition of the snot discharge can be represented as follows:

• water (about 95%);
• complex carbohydrates (1%). The most important is mucin;
• proteins (from 1 to 3% depending on the patient’s condition). During illness, their percentage increases;
• fats and nucleic acids (1%);
• salt ions, enzymes, etc. (about 1%).

An important component of nasal secretions is the complex carbohydrate mucin. Due to its structure, the molecule of this substance captures foreign components that settle from the air. In addition, it is mucin that determines the viscosity of nasal mucus.

Nasal snot has a two-phase structure. The viscosity of the lower layer is less, it resembles water. The cilia are immersed in this layer, reaching the surface phase only at the moment of flapping. The upper layer of mucus is thicker, has a gel-like density and performs the main evacuation and protective functions.

Why does snot appear?

Mucus turns into snot due to a number of factors. The main reasons answering the question of why nasal discharge flows include:

• Cold. This reason occurs most often. In this case, a runny nose appears due to increased secretion of mucus in response to the proliferation of viruses that provoke the occurrence of the disease. Thus, the glands protect the respiratory system from infections. The discharge contains mucus and particles of non-living viruses.
• Tears. A person also sniffles when he cries, because tears entering the nose cause the mucin to expand.
• Allergy. When an allergen enters the nasal mucosa, a natural reaction occurs, and the mucus turns into snot by increasing the secretion of a protein substance.
• After hepatitis B, DTP vaccination and other diseases, a child may develop. When he sniffles, a protective reaction of the body occurs.
• Accumulation of unused mucus in the nose at night. That's why in the morning it turns into snot.
• After meal. Occasionally, nasal discharge occurs after eating certain foods that stimulate blood circulation and hot dishes.

As you can see, a runny nose does not only appear with a cold. It is also formed due to overheating, hypothermia, nervous stress and much more.

Treatment

To stop the secretion of snot that has a pathological origin, it is necessary to be treated. The doctor selects a treatment regimen individually for each patient, taking into account the general condition, diagnostic results, age, and severity of the underlying disease. All other types of runny nose go away on their own after the provoking factor is eliminated.

There are general therapeutic rules that must be followed. Patients should give up smoking and alcohol, at least for the duration of treatment, eat properly, ventilate and humidify the air in the room, especially during the heating season. Experts recommend taking multivitamins to strengthen the immune system or herbal immunomodulators: lemongrass, eleutherococcus, ginseng.

1. If the snot flows in a stream and does not stop, you can use vasoconstrictor drops. They will quickly deal with nasal discharge, but will not eliminate the cause of its appearance. This is an emergency measure that provides only temporary relief. "Xylometazoline", "Rinonorm", "Tizin" can be used for no more than 5 days. These drugs have a number of contraindications, which include cardiac dysfunction and pregnancy.
2. Rinsing the nasal cavity is indicated for all patients without exception, regardless of the cause of the disorder. Industrial and homemade saline solutions wash away mucus, dust, and germs. They moisturize the nasal mucosa, thin out thick snot, relieve inflammation, strengthen local immunity and promote tissue restoration. The most popular pharmaceutical drugs in this group are “Salin”, “Aqualor”, “Marimer”. Saline solutions are also used for prophylactic purposes. They are safe for pregnant women and small children.
3. Infectious runny nose of bacterial etiology should be treated with antibiotics. Local antimicrobial drugs are produced in the form of a spray - “Isofra”, “Polydex”. In order to eliminate associated symptoms, patients are prescribed drugs from the NSAID group - Ibuklin, Nimesil, Ketoprofen.
4. ARVI with copious discharge of watery secretions requires the use of antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs - Arbidol, Kagocel, Kipferon. Derinat, IRS-19, and Grippferon are administered locally.
5. “Collargol” and “Protargol” are anti-inflammatory drops consisting of iodine and silver. They destroy bacteria in the nose and dry out the mucous membrane. After a course of using the drug, the mucus stops flowing in a stream.
6. When the cause of watery snot is an allergy, systemic antihistamines are used - Zodak, Cetrin, Loratadine, as well as hormonal sprays that affect the lesion - Flixonase, Tafen, Nasonex.

Drug therapy is often complemented by physiotherapeutic procedures. They speed up the process of recovery and restoration of the body after illness.

• Ural irradiation has a bactericidal effect and improves blood supply to the nasal mucosa.
• Inhalations ensure penetration of the main active substances directly into the lesion.
• Electrophoresis is the deep penetration of drugs into tissues using electric current.
• Laser therapy improves tissue trophism, stimulates the immune system, neutralizes inflammation.
• UHF therapy - an electromagnetic field activates blood flow and increases vascular permeability, thereby achieving a lasting anti-inflammatory effect.

Deformation of the nasal septum, polyps and other neoplasms, consequences of injuries and foreign bodies in the nose are indications for surgical intervention.

Alternative therapy offers a huge number of recipes and remedies designed to combat snot. With the help of available means, food, herbs and herbal infusions that do not require special preparation skills, you can cure a runny nose.

1. The nose is instilled with an infusion of bay leaves, diluted with the juice of aloe, beets, carrots, and onions.
2. Rinse the nose with a soda-saline solution with the addition of a drop of iodine, a decoction of chamomile, calendula, and sage.
3. Inhalations are carried out over boiling water with the addition of fir, eucalyptus, sandalwood, and lavender essential oils.
4. It is useful to inhale the vapors emanating from chopped onions and garlic.
5. Lubricating the nasal mucosa with propolis and an iodine mesh accelerate the process of removing nasal secretions.
6. Foot baths with salt or mustard help cope with colds.
7. Warming the sinuses with boiled eggs or heated salt quickly eliminates snot.
8. Linden, currant, rose hip, and mint teas are quite effective in the complex treatment of a runny nose.
9. Acupressure with warming ointments relieves the problem for a long time.

All patients with rhinitis are advised to drink plenty of warm fluids. There are a lot of options - herbal decoctions, chamomile or ginger teas, cranberry juice, compote of dried fruits or berries, still mineral water, milk with honey.

If snot is constantly flowing, you should not self-medicate. This is especially true for taking antibiotics and using hormonal sprays. Uncontrolled use of vasoconstrictor drops and non-compliance with nasal rinsing techniques are fraught with the development of complications. When patients ignore medical prescriptions and do not read the instructions for medications, unpleasant consequences occur. Only strict adherence to the recommendations of the attending physician will quickly and effectively stop the pathological process.

For what reasons does snot change color?

Normal mucus discharged from the nose is clear, medium-thick mucus. If the runny nose is colorless, then you don’t have to worry too much, as this is a good sign. But if the discharge changes color and composition, you should consult a doctor.

Green snot indicates that viruses have entered the nose and the body is actively fighting them. Moreover, this color often indicates the presence of pneumonia, flu or bronchitis.

Smokers may notice mucus that has a brownish-yellow tint due to exposure to nicotine. But if a non-smoking person sniffles like this, then this indicates the presence of a serious chronic respiratory disease, so it is important to consult a doctor immediately.

If the snot is whitish in color, then most likely it is purulent. However, this phenomenon occurs with some allergic reactions. But with a pronounced purulent runny nose, it can be assumed that it indicates an acute form of sinusitis.

Red spots and blood streaks in snot appear for a variety of reasons. However, this runny nose is often harmless. He talks about weak and nearby blood vessels that are damaged mechanically. It can be either orange, sometimes brown.

If a person sniffles and develops green discharge with blood, this may indicate infection with staphylococcus or meningococcus.

And yellow discharge mixed with blood indicates the presence of acute pneumonia, so the patient needs to be examined urgently.

Causes of snot

A runny nose can develop for various reasons. It is mainly provoked by inflammatory processes in the nose. This phenomenon is most often observed in the following cases:

• for respiratory diseases and flu;
• for allergies;
• with adenoiditis and sinusitis;

  

• for nasal injuries;
• for bronchitis and bacterial rhinitis.

Regular inhalation of too dry air can cause a runny nose. This is often observed in winter when the radiators are turned on. To remedy the situation, just turn on a household humidifier or hang wet sheets around the room.

Some of the snot flows down the back wall of the throat, then flows into the esophagus and stomach. This worries many people and even scares them: will nasal mucus cause diseases of the digestive tract? I want to reassure such alarmists; gastric juice processes the substance that has entered the stomach and neutralizes it. Therefore, if a person swallows snot, there is nothing wrong with it.

A runny nose is often observed in smokers, not only those who smoke themselves, but also passive ones. In families where someone constantly smokes indoors, household members often suffer from chronic rhinitis.

Is it possible to swallow mucus?

Some people are accustomed not to blowing their nose, but to swallow the snot, passing it through the mouth. As a rule, this phenomenon is common for young children.

However, how dangerous this can be can only be judged by determining for what reasons the mucus turned into snot. But in most cases, a person sniffles when the nasal mucosa protects the organ from contact with harmful microorganisms during colds and other viral infections.

By the way, there are no immune mechanisms of this kind in the oral cavity, and the function of the saliva released is to fight other microbes. Consequently, the mouth does not provide effective resistance, as a result of which it does not protect the body, and the infection progresses further.

Therefore, we can say with confidence that swallowing snot is harmful to health, because in this case the risk of further infection significantly increases. Therefore, if a person sniffles, then the best way to get rid of excess mucus is to blow his nose.