What does brown mucus mean?

The color brown often means old blood. You may see this color after your phlegm appears red or pink. Brown phlegm is commonly caused by: Bacterial pneumonia. This form of pneumonia can produce phlegm that is green-brown or rust-colored.

Should I be worried if my mucus is brown?

If your mucus turns brown, yellow, or green, it can be an early warning sign of a flare-up. It’ll be stickier and thicker, and there’ll be more of it. Treatments for COPD include medications, pulmonary rehab, supplemental oxygen, and surgery to open up blocked pathways. In severe cases, you may need a lung transplant.

Is brown mucus an infection?

Brown phlegm may indicate possible bleeding, and if so, is likely to be caused by bleeding that happened a while ago. Bright red or pink phlegm means the bleeding has happened more recently. Black mucus may indicate the presence of a fungal infection.

What color is mucus with sinus infection?

When you have a sinus infection, your snot typically becomes a thick, green color. This is because mucus acts as a trap for allergens, bacteria, and viruses that carries these foreign invaders outside of your body. These waste products, along with dead white blood cells, account for the greenish color of your snot.

Does brown snot mean infection?

Pink, red, orange, or brown mucus, on the other hand, is typically not from an illness. It may just mean that there is blood or dried blood in your nose. If you have black mucus, which is rare, it may signal a fungal infection and you need to see a healthcare provider.

Why do I have brown mucus?

Brown Mucus: Reasons Why You Might Get It Your body makes phlegm, aka mucus, to sweep out harmful bacteria and allergens. The color of the phlegm can depend on the causes.

What does it mean when your Phlegm is brown and slimy?

Brown phlegm is commonly caused by: Bacterial pneumonia: This form of pneumonia can produce phlegm that is green-brown or rust-colored. Bacterial bronchitis: This condition can produce rusty brown sputum as it progresses.

What does the color of your mucus say about your health?

The color of mucus can tell you a lot about what’s going on inside your nasal passages. And although doctors rarely use nasal mucus as the primary diagnosis of disease, it can shed light on other conditions. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

Can throat mucus change color?

However, sometimes, throat mucus color can change, and this can be alarming. One of the most notable shades of interest is brown. And, coughing up brown mucus can signal everything from serious health conditions to everyday and common causes. A cough or cold isn’t always required to produce phlegm or mucus.