Yellow nasal discharge turns into clear nasal discharge

Although runny nose is a common nasal condition, the causes of the runny nose are different, so the symptoms of runny nose are also different. Some people have clear nasal discharge, while others have yellow nasal discharge. But in some other people, there is a situation where green and yellow snot exist together. In the early stage of runny nose, it is yellow snot, and in the later stage, it develops into clear snot. What's going on?

What does yellow snot mean?

If the patient has a runny yellow nose, it can be analyzed from different perspectives of Chinese and Western medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine analysis: If the patient has a runny yellow nose, it generally means that the patient is suffering from a wind-heat cold.

Western medicine analysis: If the patient has a runny nose, it means there is a bacterial or viral infection in the nasal cavity.

Good to know: Yellow snot is a sign of a sinus infection, especially when the color turns dark yellow. It can also be a sign of bronchitis, especially if you've had green nasal discharge and other symptoms of bronchitis. Some people may also develop yellow nasal discharge when the air is dry.

The difference between yellow nasal mucus and clear nasal mucus

Yellow nasal discharge is caused by bacterial infection. When it occurs, neutrophils kill the bacteria. Neutrophils are also called pus cells. This process causes purulent inflammation, so it is yellow.

When infected by a virus, lymphocytes carry out immunity and the body undergoes serous inflammatory changes. The so-called serous is the seepage of clear plasma components in the blood due to changes in vascular permeability. The plasma components flow down the mucous membrane and are also called catarrh. Therefore, the mucus is clear and transparent.

What does the change in snot color mean?

If you have clear nasal discharge at the beginning and then it turns yellow and the amount of nasal discharge decreases and your nasal cavity becomes dry, it means that your cold is gradually getting better. If the amount of nasal discharge does not decrease and the yellow nasal discharge becomes thicker, it means that your cold is getting worse.

How to treat runny nose

1. Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment

Traditional Chinese medicine formula: 3 grams of mint, 30 grams of reed root, 15 grams of isatis root, and raw licorice for 6 days, one dose per day; or 10 grams of bamboo leaves, 3 grams of mint, 9 grams of almonds, and 9 grams of forsythia, one dose per day.

Efficacy: This formula has the effects of clearing away heat and detoxifying, dispersing wind and dissipating heat, and is very effective in treating yellow nasal discharge.

2. Western medicine treatment

Yellow runny nose indicates bacterial or viral infection. Most cases are treated with oral or injected antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory nasal drops can be used as an auxiliary treatment.

Precautions for runny nose

1. Eat less spicy, fried, and hot foods, such as chili peppers, ginger, fried dough sticks, sesame cakes, biscuits, instant noodles, etc. At the same time, seafood and salty seafood such as frozen fish, squid, shrimp, etc. can easily irritate and cause inflammation, so it is best not to eat such foods.

2. Diversify your diet: Eat more vegetables and fruits that are rich in vitamins, such as apples, fresh vegetables, spinach, carrots, etc.

3. Normally, you can apply hot water to the nose and forehead and face, or use a hair dryer to warm them up locally to improve local blood circulation and achieve the purpose of treatment.

4. Maintain a proper balance between daily life and work, take enough rest, and do not stay online all night.

5. Actively exercise. The simplest and most effective way to exercise is to insist on morning jogging to enhance the body's disease resistance.

6. Prevent colds. Colds often cause recurrence of rhinitis, so if you have an external infection, you should seek timely treatment as soon as possible.