What is snot and what is it made of?
Snot is snot to be sniffed at – and on an ordinary day you may make 1‑1.5 litres. In the midst of a cold, though, it can feel like a lot more. It is 95% water.
It’s set to a be a hard winter of sniffles in the UK, with the common cold making a come back with a vengeance as people are mixing again post-lockdowns. It’s also predicted to be a bumper flu season – with COVID infections already on the winter-rise, too. Colds, flu and COVID-19 are all viruses. But increased snot can be caused by bacteria like Strep A as well.
As yucky as snot might be, it also has a serious job to do. So what is snot, where does snot come from, what does snot do, and what can you do to make yourself feel better when you’re all snotty.
So. What is snot (mucus) and what is it made from?
The medical term for snot is mucus. You get mucus in various places in your body, but respiratory mucus lines your lungs, throat, mouth, sinuses and nose.
Mucus is a watery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. It is 95% water but also contains salts, antimicrobial enzymes (such as lysozymes), immunoglobulins (especially IgA), and glycoproteins (such as lactoferrin and mucins).
Most of the time you will not even realise that you’re producing it and swallowing it all day every day. But when we pick up an infection – especially a viral respiratory one – your body produces more of the liquid secretions that carry it, and it also changes consistency and becomes a lot more noticeable.
Where does snot come from?
Snot (mucus) is produced by membranes in the nose and sinuses.
Why do we have it?
It’s very useful stuff. It protects your respiratory system and keeps everything nice and moist, so it doesn’t dry out as the air you breathe flows through. It also acts as a filter, catching dust and allergens, and it contains antibodies and enzymes designed to kill harmful bacteria. It’s basically like a protective barrier that stops invaders getting into your body.
Why do we get more of it when we have a cold?
When a cold causes your nose to run, it’s a way for your body to fight back and get rid of irritants or infections. More mucus makes it harder for bacteria to settle and takes it out of your body; either into a tissue as you blow your nose or down your throat and into your stomach and .. out that way.
What can I do to start to feel better when I’m snotty?
Most increased snot is due to a common cold, and there’s not a lot that can be done about it. It will get better as your body gets better when you immune system has fought off the virus that has caused the increase in snot.
Summary
We have described what is snot and what is it made of. We hope it has been helpful.
Other resources
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What is a strep A throat and what are its symptoms?
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What are 10 important common infections?
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