What do boogers come from

For reference, a Big Gulp has just 32 ounces. More mucus plus slower clearance equals more cold misery and lots more tissues. If your boogers and snot are green, you have a bacterial infection, right? As Dr. Horovitz explains, when cold germs first infect the nose and sinuses, we make clear mucus to wash them out.

After two or three days, your immune cells fight back with a substance that can change the color of your mucus to a white or yellow color. Mucus may also change to a greenish color when it thickens, which is normal, Horovitz says. Adults get an average of two to four colds a year, mostly between September and May, and young children catch an average of six to eight colds a year, according to the American Lung Association.

The body responds to the virus that causes a cold by making mucus — and lots of it. There are no antiviral medications for treating the common cold, and antibiotics are only useful if a cold leads to a secondary bacterial infection. Overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of new strains of bacteria that are resistant to these medications. It usually takes about six hours for your body to clear germs and other unwanted things from your airways.

Read more: Curious Kids: why do I have boogies and why does my nose keep replicating them? This is because it has other roles, like protecting the stomach lining from acid. Be sure to use a tissue, throw it in the bin and wash your hands after you blow your nose. Sometimes mucus can become very thick, which makes it harder for your body to get rid of.

This may be because of germs, or just because you need to drink a bit more water. Drinking enough water helps to keep mucus moist so it can do its job. It also helps clear the germs and unfamiliar things from your body faster. Read more: Curious Kids: how does our blood fight viruses like chicken pox and colds? See-through and slightly dried nose mucus: the parts of your body that are involved in breathing like our nose and lungs are normal and healthy.

Yellow or green mucus: you may have infection - but green or yellow mucus shows your immune system is working hard to protect you. Instead of picking, gently blow your nose. You can also try a saline nasal rinse with distilled water to rinse your nasal passages. Some kids like to eat their boogers. If excessive boogers are a problem for your kids or you , try increasing water intake.

Staying hydrated can keep mucus thinner and easier to manage. Be ready to field booger questions with these five facts. These colors are not caused by bacteria; rather, white blood cells contain a substance that adds a yellow or green tinge to mucus.

If your body is fighting an infection, you may produce more white blood cells. Conversely, you can be sick and still have clear mucus. If there is an infection, you will likely have other symptoms such as congestion, sinus pressure or headache.