Sinus Infection Mucus

The type of mucus produced when you are suffering from sinus infection can indicate which sinus infection treatment option works best.

Mucus is produced daily by the body for various reasons. It is meant to keep mucosal membranes moist and lubricated so that they remain healthy. Mucus aids in lung protection by trapping foreign matters such as dust and other allergens that enter the nose during normal breathing. Moreover, it helps to prevent the drying out of tissues.

Increased mucus production is a symptom of many common illnesses, such as the common cold. Nasal mucus produced by the nasal mucosal lining.

It serves to protect the respiratory tract by trapping foreign objects such as dust and pollen before they enter the lungs.

The presence of nasal mucus is normal and they are continually produced, but increased production can affect normal breathing and must be cleared by blowing the nose or through a procedure known as nasal irrigation.

Healthy mucus is clear and has a slippery feel. On the other hand, unhealthy mucus presents itself as cloudy, thick, sticky and glue-like, colored and at times stained with blood.

Causes of increased mucus production

1. Diet

Certain foods which we consume can give rise to increased mucus production from our mucosal membranes. Dairy products derived from cow’s milk are the most mucus-forming of all. Milk, including skim milk, butter, cheese, cream, etc. belong to this category. Soy beans and soy-derived products are the most mucus-forming of all plant foods. Eggs are known to have a high mucus-forming index.

2. Inflammation of the mucosal lining

Sinus infection occurs when allergies, irritations to the nose, or a viral infection (like a common cold) cause the mucosal lining in the nasal cavities to swell and become inflamed. This swelling constricts the already narrow openings, called Ostia, through which mucus leaves the sinuses.

Ventilation of the sinuses becomes impaired. The inflammation causes the movement of mucus out of the sinuses by the microscopic hairs, called cilia, to slow and the mucus become stagnant within the sinuses. These conditions favor the growth of bacteria and an infection sets in.

Once the bacterial infection begins, it causes more inflammation, swelling and increased mucus production. More swelling impedes the mucus transport out of the sinuses and obstructs ventilation which further favors more bacterial growth and the vicious cycle continues.

What does sinus infection mucus look like?

1. If there is bacterial infection, the mucus produced would have a yellowish/green color. The mucus is often thin and not very sticky. Usually, there is no smell. However, if the mucus is foul-smelling, then, maxillary sinus infection with dental origin is indicated.

2. If there is no bacterial infection, the sinus infection mucus may take the following form:

a. The mucus is not colored.

b. The mucus can be clear or opaque.

c. The texture of the mucus is almost jelly-like or glue-like. This type of sinus infection mucus is associated with an allergic reaction of the body to some allergens or to the type of food which we eat.

3. If mucus is stained with blood or if there is nosebleed. Nosebleeds are common to those who regularly pick their noses or if then have a habit of blowing their noses too hard or too often.

However, if a person does not have such habits, then it would be wise to have the problem checked by an ENT specialist.

The specialist would likely perform a Nasal Endoscopy, which is a totally painless procedure, to inspect the nasal cavities for the cause of the nosebleed.

The type of sinus infection mucus which our body produces, thus, has an indication to us the sinus infection treatment we should adopt in order to heal ourselves quickly before it turns into a chronic sinus infection.