Snot color: 6 clues to a child's health from a runny nose

Runny noses are common among young children, especially in the colder months and during allergy seasons. Parents often wonder if their child needs over-the-counter medication or medical treatment for their symptoms. Sometimes, your child’s snot can provide clues about whether they may have an injury, infection or other health condition.

Keep in mind that snot color is just one clue to your child’s health. Take note of other symptoms they may be having, such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite or crankiness, as well as how long they’ve been sick. For symptoms ranging from mild to severe, EIRMC’s pediatric center offers advanced, comprehensive pediatric care — including 24/7 pediatric emergency care.

For more information about EIRMC’s pediatric ER or if you aren’t sure if your child needs care in the ER, call our free, 24/7 Consult-A-Nurse line at (208) 497-6167.

What your child’s runny nose says about their health

Nasal mucus, otherwise known as snot, protects our noses and sinuses from dust, pollen, bacteria and other environmental dangers. When something gets in that shouldn’t, it can change the color of our snot and provide a hint about the problem.

We’ve decoded six snot colors to help you discover clues about your child’s health:

Clear

Clear, colorless snot is normal. Clear snot can also indicate, especially if it’s stringy or liquidy, that your child may have allergies or a virus.

White

White mucus can signal a nasal infection or cold. Swollen, inflamed nasal pages slow the flow of snot, causing it to lose moisture and become cloudy and thick. Your child is likely congested. If symptoms don’t improve after 10 days to two weeks, visit your pediatrician to rule out an infection.

Yellow

Yellow snot is a sign that your child’s illness is progressing and their body is trying to fight it. The yellowish color is caused by white blood cells that are swept away after working to fight off the infection.

Green

Sometimes, you can have green mucus without having an infection. This can happen when the nose is full of bacteria that haven’t made their way into the nasal tissues. However, green mucus is also an indicator that your child’s illness is continuing to progress and an even larger number of white blood cells have been called in. See your pediatrician if your child is still sick after 10 days. If there are other, more severe symptoms, seek medical attention sooner.

Red

Red or pink snot is a sign of torn or broken nasal tissue. Your child’s nasal passages may be irritated due to a dry climate, high elevation, allergies, asthma, or an injury. Frequent nose blowing can also lead to irritation and a little bit of blood in the mucus.

Brown

Brown or orangish mucus could be caused by dried blood, but it could also be from something your child inhaled, such as dirt. A brown tinge could also indicate heavy pollution or, in adults, tobacco use.

Black

Black snot could be caused by environmental issues — something inhaled at a workplace, for example. Smoking and illegal drug use can also turn snot black. If none of these apply, it may indicate a serious fungal infection, especially in those with compromised immune systems. See your doctor right away.

EIRMC offers experienced and competent emergency care, including the region’s only Pediatric ER.