The appearance of snot with sinusitis plays a very important role. Thus, the mucosa tries to get rid of the pathogen and remove it from the body. In this case, the discharge may have a different color and consistency. Let's talk about the color of the snot with sinusitis, and also consider methods of treating the disease.
Stages of the disease and the nature of the discharge
There are three main stages of the development of sinusitis:
- Elementary.
- Acute.
- Chronic.
During each period, the symptoms of the disease and the nature of the discharge from the nose will change. It is very important to consider this point during diagnosis.
What color snot with sinusitis in adults at the initial stage of the disease? As a rule, at this stage, the discharge is transparent (in more rare cases, white) and very plentiful. In most cases, patients decide that this is a common cold and treat it on their own with the usual means.
But the disease does not go away, but, on the contrary, goes to the acute stage. It is characterized by the appearance of other signs of sinusitis, such as:
- pain in the cheekbones, forehead, neck;
- increase in body temperature to 37.5 degrees and above;
- swelling of the nasal mucosa.
Snot at the same time change their shade to yellow or green.
The chronic stage of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of purulent or bloody discharge and requires the beginning of immediate treatment.
Types of discharge
Before you begin to consider what color snot with sinusitis in children and adults, as well as what they mean, summarize the above. So, the allocation can be:
- transparent
- green
- yellow;
- bloody.
Let us consider in more detail each of these species.
Transparent snot
Such discharge can be observed during a common cold and in the initial stage of sinusitis. They are liquid, have no smell and, with proper treatment, quickly disappear.
Otolaryngologists note that transparent snot with sinusitis indicates the allergic nature of the disease. If they do not disappear and do not change over a long period of time, you should consult an allergist.
Another reason for the appearance of secretions of this type is a viral lesion of the body. In this case, transparent watery snot will "leak" from the nose for 3-4 days. After that, they will get a dull white shade and become more viscous. At this point, the risk of adherence and bacterial infection increases significantly.
Green snot
It is about this shade that everyone thinks first of all when they hear the question of what color snot is during sinusitis. Indeed, the acquisition of secretions of green hue indicates the transition of the disease to the acute stage. They have a thick consistency and are very poorly removed during blowing. In most cases, green snot accumulate in the sinuses during the night and already in the morning begin to disturb the patient. It is at this point that patients begin to actively use various drops and aerosols.
It also happens that a person manages to get rid of green snot, but nasal breathing still remains difficult. This situation is not the norm, as there is a risk of clogging of the nasal passages and the occurrence of complications.
Gray green snot
We continue to consider the topic of what color snot with sinusitis (photos can be found in specialized medical sources).
Much less often than everyone else, but still there are situations when the discharge from the nose becomes gray-green. Such changes indicate the fungal nature of the disease. A distinctive feature of this color of snot with sinusitis in children and adults is that they have white or black veins (depending on the type of pathogen). Discharge may also have an unpleasant odor.
Yellow snot
The color of the snot with sinusitis (the photo will not be provided for aesthetic reasons) may be yellow. This suggests that the disease managed to go into an advanced stage and requires immediate intervention. Abundant yellow snot indicates the presence of accumulations of pus in the region of the maxillary sinuses.
It is important to know not only what color the snot is for sinusitis, but also how they are treated. In the case of yellow snot, any medication is very rarely prescribed. Usually this situation requires surgery - a sinus puncture.
Blood snot
When considering the question of what color snot is during sinusitis, one important moment cannot be missed - the presence or absence of blood impurities. Such a symptom cannot but bother the patient. In most cases, he says that the mucous membrane is dry and the capillaries become very brittle. Although there are other reasons why nose sinus is observed with sinusitis:
- too thin walls of blood vessels in the nose;
- improperly selected medications for the treatment of the common cold;
- too frequent use of vasoconstrictive drops and sprays;
- frequent and intense blowing;
- mechanical damage to the mucous membrane during picking in the nose or getting a foreign object into it;
- nose bridge injuries.
It is also important to consider the fact that nosebleeds with sinusitis can be associated with the presence of other dangerous diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, liver problems, and so on. That is why only a specialist should be engaged in diagnostics, who, in case of any suspicions, will send the patient for additional examinations.
If the nose bleeds for a long period of time and does not stop, it is urgent to call an ambulance!
Sinusitis without discharge
Above, we examined what the color of snot happens with sinusitis in adults and children. To have a complete picture of the disease, we note that in some cases it passes without the appearance of any discharge from the nose. This form of sinusitis is considered the most dangerous, since it cannot be determined at an early stage due to the absence of specific symptoms.
A similar type of disease can occur after infectious ailments, as a result of which there was a clogging of the outlet mouth of the maxillary sinus. A specialist can determine the presence of a problem using special research methods, such as:
- CT scan;
- X-ray examination;
- diaphanoscopy.
Untimely detection of the disease can lead to the accumulation of pus and the development of serious complications.
Drug treatment
In the article, which snot with sinusitis, it is impossible to at least briefly consider methods of treating the disease. In this case, the use of complex therapy is provided.
For starters, it is important to rinse your nose with saline. It can be prepared at home or purchased at a pharmacy (Aquamaris, Dolphin, Aqualor). Saline solution is also suitable, which has no less efficiency.
The next thing to do is to reduce the swelling of the nasal mucosa, eliminate the pathogen. For this, drops and sprays are used, which can belong to the groups:
- Vasoconstrictors (Nazol, Naphthyzin, Tizin, Otrivin, Nazivin, Galazolin).
- Antibacterial drugs and antiseptics (Protargol, Ospamox, Amoxiclav, Ampisid, Ofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Isofra).
- Painkillers (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol).
- Immunomodulating and antiviral agents (“Ingaron”, “Interferon”, “Timogen”).
- Antihistamines (Allergodil, Cromohexal, Sanorin Analergin).
- Hormonal drugs (Bekonase, Nasobek, Avamis).
- Herbal preparations ("Xylin").
- Homeopathic remedies (Euphorbium Compositum).
It is also possible to use combined preparations, which may include several active components at once (antibiotic, hormonal and vasoconstrictor, and so on). An example of such a tool is Maxitrol.
In cases where drug treatment did not bring the desired result, a decision is made on the need for surgical intervention, which involves puncture of the maxillary sinuses. Unfortunately, he has a significant drawback. Patients note that after a puncture, relapses of the disease are much more common.
Treatment with folk remedies
Together with medication, you can use various alternative methods of getting rid of sinusitis. These may include:
- Rinsing the nose with decoctions of medicinal plants (chamomile, sage, thyme, rosemary).
- Nasal lavage with saline prepared at home. It is important to adhere to a few simple rules. The solution must be warm, and the salt must completely dissolve in water. Otherwise, instead of the expected recovery, mucosal damage can be obtained.
- The use of compresses on the region of the maxillary sinuses. To do this, a gauze or cloth dressing is moistened in warm infusion of bay leaves and applied to the nose, and then, to maintain heat, cover with a towel. Replace the compress after cooling it. To prepare the infusion, simply brew three bay leaves in a glass of water.
- Nasal instillation with the juice of medicinal plants for the active production of mucus and accelerate its excretion of pus (Kalanchoe, aloe, cyclamen).
- Warming of the sinuses with compresses. It is allowed to carry out only in the absence of accumulations of pus and with the permission of the doctor!
- The use of cotton gauze swabs in the nose, which are wetted with infusions or warm solutions.
- Steam inhalation. For their implementation, you can use decoctions of medicinal plants, essential oils, soda, honey. In this case, do not take too hot liquid, which can burn the respiratory tract! It is also important to remember that proper inhalation involves inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth.