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Discolored Mucus
HadjiQuest
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So, I get sinus infections/sinusitis once or twice a year. Once in January and February, like the one I have now, and another pretty much anywhere else in the year at random.
This year, the other one was in October. But here's the thing: since late August, when I went to work at a meat counter in a Grocery Store (a job that only lasted a week), I've had discolored mucus almost constantly. The job I've had ever since I quit the meat job is as nightcrew at a pharmacy: I dust and vacuum daily, and I'm exposed to sick people constantly.
Is discolored mucus a problem if I have no other symptoms at all?
I'll be going to a doctor at some point in the next week and a half for sure, but I wanted to ask here first since it'll be a few days before I can see one and I'm just now starting to freak out about the fact that I've had this for almost six months.
This year, the other one was in October. But here's the thing: since late August, when I went to work at a meat counter in a Grocery Store (a job that only lasted a week), I've had discolored mucus almost constantly. The job I've had ever since I quit the meat job is as nightcrew at a pharmacy: I dust and vacuum daily, and I'm exposed to sick people constantly.
Is discolored mucus a problem if I have no other symptoms at all?
I'll be going to a doctor at some point in the next week and a half for sure, but I wanted to ask here first since it'll be a few days before I can see one and I'm just now starting to freak out about the fact that I've had this for almost six months.
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Pale Green.
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Maybe 5 or 6 times a day.
If it was red or black id say maybe check with a doctor. Pale green? Its probably fine.
*edit*
Oh and this is assuming youre talking about it coming out of your nose. If its your ass, or any other hole on your body, well, doctor time.
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Also, if you aren't - keep yourself hydrated.
I get two yearly bacterial sinus infections, but the rest of the year I'm fine. I just think it's weird that this year I've had discolored mucus before and after the infections.
The green colouring is caused by neutrophil (a type of white blood cell) activity in your sinuses. These blood cells secrete myeloperoxidases, which are enzymes that digest target bacteria or really any pathogen that's been flagged for death. These myeloperoxidases have a green pigment in them, so as they accumulate in your mucus they turn the mucus green. They are perfectly normal and simply a sign that you are fighting off some sort of pathogen in your sinuses. For the mucus to turn green just before, during, and slightly after a sinus infection is expected and scheduling a doctor appointment just for that is a waste of time. If this is a regular check up anyways, you can mention it, but it will be brushed off as it's perfectly normal and fully expected.
Get a cup of warn water, and add some salt. Snort said warm salty water up your nose until it comes out of your mouth. It sounds weird and gross, but it will clear your sinuses out quite well. Do it whenever you feel really congested.
I've been doing that 2-3 times a day for the last 4 days or so.
Green yellow snot, only thing to do is blow until you blow out whatever is causing it...might take days. Nothing to worry about though.
STEAM
Netti Pot. My wife came home with one after i read they thread, and its a godsend. It allows you to actually get a substance 'behind' the mucus high up in your sinuses, and expel it.
It keeps my nose clear, and it lets me easily blow it out when it starts to reform. The only complaint is that ocassionally my mucus seems to get *very* thick.. and I notice bright red flakes in it due to the irritation from the saline solution.
You get used to the salt, but I tend to use a single pack for both nostrils... i could probably even cut that in half.
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