What is mucus made up of

If you have excess nasal congestion from a cold or allergies, over-the-counter medications and a little patience should help treat the symptom. If you find yourself reaching for a tissue, remember to blow your nose gently. Vigorous nose blowing can actually send some of your mucus back into your sinuses. Parosmia is a condition that distorts one's sense of smell and taste. A variety of health conditions — most of which are related to your sinuses — can trigger a rotten smell in your nose.

Most are not serious, but some…. Loss of the sense of smell can be temporary or permanent. Nasal polyps can cause pressure, congestion, and loss of smell. Medication and surgery can both be used to treat them. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. The main job of nasal mucus is to: keep the linings of your nose and sinuses moist trap dust and other particles you inhale fight infections Mucus also helps moisten the air you inhale, which makes it easier to breathe.

Why does snot consistency change? What do mucus color changes mean? Colds, allergies, and snot. Why does crying produce extra snot? Treating what causes mucus.

Read this next. How Nasal Polyps Are Removed. A lot, actually. Mucus acts as a lubricant for your body and protects your nasal and sinus passages, lungs, and throat from drying out.

It also has special antibodies and proteins that fight off germs. It even acts as a barrier and traps bacteria and allergens, like dust or pet dander, to prevent you from getting sick. Snot what you were expecting, was it? The average person produces more than a liter of mucus each day. Something as simple as eating spicy food can trigger increased mucus production. Allergic reactions and respiratory infections like colds, the flu, and sinus infections, can cause your body to produce even more mucus.

Even something as simple as eating spicy food can trigger increased mucus production, and when you think about it, it makes sense. Mucus protects your body from outside threats, so when your body is experiencing something outside of the norm, like allergens or extra spice, your body puts up its defenses and amps up your mucus production.

On the other hand, thick mucus can be caused by dehydration. Just another good reason to kick that habit. While congestion and a runny nose are possible, colored mucus is more common if you have an infection like the flu.

When people think about mucus, the biggest concern is the color. The tissues lining the airways, nose, sinuses, and mouth contain two primary cell types: secretory cells, which release the components of mucus, and ciliated cells.

These are covered with tiny hair-like projections called cilia. Special secretory cells called goblet cells are the predominant producers and releasers of mucin.

A goblet cell is shaped like a medieval goblet, and it is not covered with cilia. Goblet cells and other secretory cells also release a range of proteins, salts, fats, and immune molecules that mix with mucin and are incorporated into mucus. Submucosal glands, found in the airways, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract, also produce and release mucin and mucus.

Ciliated cells use their tiny projections to move mucus throughout the body. The cilia move in a way that creates a unified pulse, pushing mucus along in waves. When the airways are exposed to irritants, goblet cells and submucosal glands produce extra mucus to clear the airways. In addition, infections can cause inflammation in airway tissues, which can likewise trigger the submucosal glands to produce more mucus.

During an infection, mucus thickens because it fills with immune cells and entrapped foreign particles. Allergic reactions occur when the immune system responds excessively to a harmless substance. The reaction triggers the release of histamine — a compound that can cause the airway linings to swell and stimulate the submucosal glands to produce more mucus. Several health issues can cause mucus to build up, either by stimulating excessive production, blocking or reducing mucus elimination, or causing the mucus to thicken.

Many natural products can reduce mucus buildups or treat the respiratory conditions that cause them. Natural remedies with some scientific backing include :. Learn more about how to clear mucus here. When excessive mucus production or buildups happen with no clear cause, contact a healthcare provider. Mucus is key to the functioning of vital organs and the immune system, so the body is continually producing it. Several health issues can lead to a buildup of mucus or cause the body to produce excess.

This can lead to complications. Usually, OTC products and home care techniques can clear excess mucus. Contact a doctor if a mucus buildup has no clear cause, does not resolve with home care, or occurs alongside any other concerning symptoms.