The colour of your child’s snot (mucus in the nose) can tell you a lot. It might not be pleasant to look at but snot can provide a clear indication of your child’s health and wellbeing. This is important because, depending on your child’s age, they may not yet know how to properly communicate how they are feeling.
Translating the colour of snot
The different colours of snot can mean different things. Being able to identify the various colours and what they mean is a useful skill that can help you determine the best course of action for your child.
Here is a simple snot colour guide.
Clear
Clear or colourless snot is normal and plays an important role in your child's body. It helps fight off infections by providing a protective layer and stops your child from inhaling dust and dirt. While a snotty nose is typically associated with illness, clear mucus is normal.
Clear snot can also be allergy mucus. If your child is producing more clear, stringy mucus than normal, they might have allergies.
White
Liquid white snot is viral. If your child has liquid white mucus for more than 2 weeks and develops other symptoms like a cough, it could mean your child is coming down with a cold or upper respiratory infection.
Yellow and green
Yellow and green snot means your child’s white blood cells are working hard to fight an infection. If the snot is yellow or green for more than 10 days and your child also has a fever or nausea, they may need antibiotics to help get better.
Pink or Red
Pink or red snot indicates there is blood in the mucus. It could mean that dry air or allergies have irritated the nasal passage, causing the tiny capillaries in their noses to pop open. There is nothing to worry about as this can happen easily when children have dry noses.
Brown
Brown snot is caused by discolouration from pollution, dust or dirt.
Having brown snot can sometimes be a positive sign that the mucus is doing its job by keeping pollutants out of your child’s nose and airways. Some common ways to prevent brown snot include:
- keeping your child indoors in areas with poor air quality
- keeping your child away from tobacco products or people who smoke.
Black
Black snot is a warning that something may be wrong. Your child may have a serious fungal infection or other health issue that needs medical attention. If you see black snot, take your child to the doctor right away.
How to treat a snotty nose
Rest
If your child has a runny nose, let them rest and make sure they drink lots of fluids, ideally water. When resting, keep their head raised using pillows.
At-home treatments
Here are some things you can do at home to clear a snotty nose:
- Saline nose drops.
- Humidifier – avoid over-use that could put too much moisture in the air.
- Hot showers – before bedtime, take your child to the bathroom and steam up the shower to help clear their nose.
See your doctor
If your child has been sick for more than 2 weeks and their snot is green or red, take your child to the doctor. If their snot is black, see your doctor immediately.
If you’re still unsure if you need to see a doctor, look for any other symptoms your child is experiencing such as fever or pain. Note how long they have had the coloured mucus, or if they had a change in mucus colour.