Probably, there is not a single person on Earth who has never had a cold. Therefore, each of us knows that a runny nose is a true companion of a cold. But not everyone knows where snot comes from and what function they perform. In this article, we will try to deal with these issues.
What is snot?
To understand where snot comes from, you need to know what it is and how it appears.
Snot, or muconasal secretion, is a mucus produced by the mucous membranes, which includes water (95%), mucin protein (3%), s alts (1-2%), and epithelial cells.
Mucin determines the properties of mucus - it gives it viscosity, that is, the more it is produced, the thicker the snot. In addition, it has antimicrobial and antiviral effects. Snot is always allocated, even in a he althy person in small quantities. And this happens due to the fact that mucin absorbs moisture from the atmospheric air and increases many times over.in volume. That's where the snot comes from in our nose. They envelop the surface of the nasal mucosa and prevent the penetration of viruses, bacteria, dust particles into the respiratory tract.
Causes of snot
While there are not many of them, few people think where snot comes from, because they usually do not cause inconvenience.
But if viruses or bacteria enter the upper respiratory tract, a lot of mucus begins to be released, which makes it difficult to breathe. The reason for this is the same mucin. It neutralizes pathogens, while losing its bactericidal properties and flows out of the nose, and instead of used mucusa new one is formed.
Another cause of snot is allergies. In this case, mucus is produced in order to flush irritating allergens from the inside of the nose.
Also, a little more snot is released than usual with mechanical damage to the nasal mucosa, for example, with scratches. Mucus coats the wound, preventing infection from entering it.
What are snot?
Surely you have noticed that snot is different in consistency and color. They can be clear and runny or thick and green. Their color can be yellow, gray, and even brown. By the type of snot, it can be assumed what nature of the infection that struck the patient is viral or bacterial. Let's analyze this issue in more detail.
If the snot is colorless and liquid, then this indicates that the body was attacked by viruses. The same consistency of mucus occurs whenallergies. But if bacteria have settled in the upper respiratory tract, then the snot becomes thick and green. To neutralize bacteria, a larger amount of mucin is needed, and the more it is, as mentioned above, the thicker and more viscous the mucus becomes. At the same time, antibodies that fight bacteria produce enzymes that color the mucus green.
Rust-colored snot can indicate more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia or bleeding in the airways. Smokers' snot may be yellow or brown. The reason for this is nicotine, which stains the mucus.
How to get rid of snot with allergies?
Recently, due to environmental degradation, allergies have become quite common. It can be on anything - flowering plants, dust, fungus, certain foods, wool and much more. Most often it is accompanied by a copious discharge of snot. When an allergen enters the nasal cavity, mucus secretion begins, which tries to wash it off. Therefore, the first step is to try to stop contact with the irritating substance, if, of course, it is known. For seasonal allergies, daily rinsing of the nose with water can help. Also prescribed are antihistamines that block the production of histamine, local hormonal drugs and vasoconstrictor nasal drops that relieve swelling of the mucosa.
Treatment of a runny nose with a cold
To the question "What to do: snot flow, how to treat them?" many doctors answer that first of all it is necessary to provideslight outflow of mucus from the nasal cavity, and for this it must be liquid.
Therefore, it is necessary to regularly moisten the mucous membrane - irrigate it with saline solutions, and also monitor the humidity of the air in the room - it should not be too dry. In this case, the mucin absorbs a large amount of moisture, the mucus liquefies and flows freely, and with it the pathogenic bacteria, you only need to blow your nose from time to time.
To alleviate the condition, especially at night, you can use vasoconstrictor drops in the nose. They relieve swelling of the mucosa, and it becomes much easier to breathe. But they should not be abused, because with prolonged use they aggravate the severity of the condition.
Also, doctors prescribe, depending on the nature of the disease, antiviral drugs or antibiotics that treat not the snot themselves, but their cause.
Treatment of the common cold with traditional medicine
Folk methods of treatment have proven themselves excellent in the fight against the common cold. Here are some of them.
- Aloe juice is used in the form of freshly squeezed juice, instilled into the nose several times a day. Aloe has anti-inflammatory properties, immunostimulatory effects and antiviral activity, helps to cleanse the body of toxins. Getting into the bloodstream through the numerous blood vessels in the nose, aloe contributes to a speedy recovery.
- Grate onion or garlic, pour over heated vegetable oil, givebrew for several hours, strain and instill into the nose several times a day. Onions and garlic are known for their antimicrobial properties.
- Beetroot juice can also effectively fight infection. The root crop must be grated, squeezed out the juice, bury it in the nose 2-3 drops 3 times a day. If you feel a burning sensation, then you can dilute it with water.
There are many more traditional medicines with which you can effectively get rid of snot, from all the variety you need to choose your most convenient method.
Thus, we figured out where the snot comes from, what is the reason for their appearance and how to treat them. It becomes clear that not only are they not harmful to the body, but, on the contrary, they protect our he alth. Don't get sick!
