What is what does it mean when you have yellow snot?

Yellow snot usually indicates that your body is fighting off an infection. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

• Cause: The yellow color comes from white blood cells. Specifically, neutrophils, which are immune cells that rush to the site of infection to fight off bacteria or viruses. These cells contain an enzyme called myeloperoxidase, which gives them a greenish-yellow hue. When these cells die after fighting the infection, they are expelled in your mucus, resulting in yellow snot. This is related with the concepts of inflammation and immune%20response.

• Indication: It suggests that you likely have a cold, sinus infection ( sinusitis ) or another upper respiratory infection. The yellow color signifies that your immune system is actively working to combat the infection.

• Duration: The appearance of yellow snot is not necessarily a sign of a severe infection, and it can sometimes resolve on its own in a few days. It's a natural part of the healing%20process.

• When to Worry: If yellow snot persists for more than 10 days, is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, facial pain, severe headache, or thick nasal discharge with a foul odor, you should consult a doctor. These could be signs of a more serious bacterial%20infection that may require antibiotics.