green snot meaning

Sun, 03 May 2026 01:10:43 +0000

What Does Green Snot Mean? Understanding the Medical and Health Significance When you notice green snot—mucus that has a yellowish-green color emerging from your nose—it often raises questions about your health. While many assume green nasal discharge always signals a severe infection like the common cold or sinusitis, the actual meaning behind green snot is more nuanced and deeply tied to the body’s natural defenses and immune response. ### Why Is Green Snot Characterized by Its Color? Mucus typically starts as clear, thin, and moist, helping to trap dust, viruses, and bacteria. However, when your body is fighting off an infection, white blood cells produce inflammation sources and enzymes that change the mucus color. Greenish or yellowish-green snot most commonly occurs during bacterial infections, especially sinusitis or a respiratory infection, because these conditions trigger a robust immune reaction involving neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) that contain enzymes like myeloperoxidase. These enzymes break down during inflammation, contributing to the greenish hue.