The human nasal cavity is lined with special cells that produce mucous secretions. It moisturizes, warms and cleans the air we breathe in from small particles so that it can freely pass further along the respiratory tract. The amount of mucus and its nature depend on various conditions of the body. If there are no diseases, then it is enough for the cells of the respiratory system to produce a small amount of secretion.
If there is a large amount of mucus from the nasal cavity, organ diseases should be suspected. respiratory system, especially if they have acquired a purulent or serous character. Thus, the appearance of colored mucus is an alarming symptom that requires immediate medical attention. Why does an adult have brown snot from the nose? Let's figure it out in this article.
What determines the color of the mucous secretion?
In the presence of an infectious process, it is the secret of the nasal passages that becomes the first obstacle in the way of viruses or bacteria. This is due to the cells and defense mechanisms of the airways. Cells from small capillaries enter the mucus, and this is what will determine the color of the secretions:
- White snot appears due to the release of leukocytes into the secret, which increase in the blood in any inflammatory disease. This is typical of the common cold.
- Brown snot from the nose in an adult characterizes the process, accompanied by the release of red blood cells. The reasons for this may be different, but the shade of the discharge can be used to determine the approximate stage of the pathological process (depending on the decay and transformation of erythrocytes).
Causes of brown snot
Brown snot from an adult's nose can appear for various reasons.
The described symptom usually serves in addition to the developing rhinitis or sinusitis. If carried out long-term treatment vasoconstrictor drugs, then mucosal atrophy is possible. In this case, the discharge will become a characteristic rusty color with a putrid odor. Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses is also accompanied by the appearance of brown snot. If the cavity is blocked by a specific plug, then there may be no difficulty in breathing, but pulling pains appear in the nasal area, a feeling of heaviness is felt. 
So, brown snot from an adult's nose indicates:
- the presence of decaying blood cells in the secret of the nasal cavity;
- possible bacterial contamination with a chronic variant of the course of sinusitis or sinusitis;
- the so-called smoker's cold;
- fungal diseases of the respiratory system;
- tumors: benign and malignant.
Is brown snot dangerous in an adult?
Alarming symptoms - need to see a doctor
Brown snot alone is not always a reason for immediate medical attention. They are common, for example, for heavy smokers. However, there are some symptoms that you should pay special attention to, and when they appear, you should definitely visit a specialist. These symptoms include:
- difficulty in nasal breathing, if allergies or infectious diseases have not been diagnosed before;
- ulcers or hemorrhages on the walls of the cavity;
- regularly exacerbating inflammation of the sinuses;
- bleeding of unknown origin, not caused by mechanical trauma;
- highlighting different colors for an unknown reason.
Remember that a wide variety of pathological processes can provoke the appearance of brown snot, and sometimes a timely appeal for help can cost you not only health, but also your life, because brown snot in an adult can also indicate malignant neoplasms.
Treatment
Only a doctor should prescribe any medications after a complete examination of the patient and the necessary tests. To get rid of the unpleasant brown discharge, it is not this manifestation that needs to be treated, but the very cause. That's why you can't accept medications without an appropriate doctor's prescription.
What is the treatment thick snot Brown?
In the case when there are no other symptoms, in addition to brown snot, drugs are prescribed that strengthen the mucosal wall and prevent capillary bleeding. In this case, ascorbic acid, which increases collagen synthesis, "Pinosol", "Derinat" are suitable. These drugs are also prescribed for infectious diseases, since they not only strengthen the mucosal wall, but also have a pronounced antibacterial effect.
The treatment for brown discharge caused by sinus inflammation will depend on the stage of the specific disease. In no case should hormonal drugs be prescribed, as they will worsen the situation by making the nasal mucosa dry.
Herbal medicine and folk methods
How to rinse your nose at home? More on this below.
Treatment with decoctions and herbal infusions can be used as an adjunct to the main treatment. This will not only not harm the patient, but also facilitate his well-being, stimulate the immune system.
- Chamomile. Washing with a decoction of this plant is very effective, since there is an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory effect, and the vessels of the nasal cavity do not narrow.
- Propolis. The tincture can be used as effective remedy cleansing the nose.
- Beet. Used as nasal drops to relieve nasal congestion and ease breathing.
- Kalanchoe. The juice of this plant or aloe can be instilled in pure form without diluting. Kalanchoe also has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, disinfecting effects.
We wash the nose
How to rinse your nose at home? Many are interested in this question.
With the development of an inflammatory process in the respiratory system, doctors strongly recommend that patients rinse their nose. However, this can be done not only during the period of illness, but also in order to prevent diseases of the respiratory system. The most common flushing method is to alternate flushing the nostrils with saline. One finger pinches the nostril, and the second "takes in" the liquid. After a while, the liquid should come out through the mouth. The procedure must be repeated with the second nostril. It is recommended to rinse the nasal passages with a runny nose or sinusitis 3-4 times a day.
The saline solution does not have to be purchased at the pharmacy - you can prepare it at home. You just need to make sure that the salt you purchased is free of flavors and other unwanted components. In this case, 3 teaspoons are mixed with 250 ml of distilled water and the procedure is carried out. If necessary saline solution can be replaced with physiological sodium chloride.
For washing, you can use different ways... Many people prefer to use a syringe, as doctors do in clinics. For nasal instillation of small volumes of solutions or medicines a pipette is taken. A suction-aspirator can be used by a person with some skills and experience in the washing procedure. The operation of this method will be based on the principle of active movement of liquids. The Esmarch mug is useful for rinsing the nose with 0.5 L of saline or saline solution.
Preventing brown nasal discharge
So, brown snot appeared in an adult. We have considered the reasons for this.
In order not to have to face such an unpleasant symptom, it must be prevented. Prevention methods include:
- to give up smoking;
- refusal to take vasoconstrictor drugs uncontrolled;
- daily rinsing of the nose with saline or saline 1 time per day;
- timely airing of premises;
- breathing exercises;
- selection of wardrobe according to the weather, exclusion of the possibility of hypothermia.
If everything is done correctly, then brown nasal discharge does not threaten a person.
Output
Remember that respiratory diseases are a serious pathological process that, if not properly treated, can lead to various complications. And the appearance of brown discharge from the nose is a sign that cannot be ignored. If you notice a deterioration in well-being, you should consult a doctor and follow all his recommendations. This way you can maintain your health for many years to come.
Our nasal cavity is lined with a special mucous membrane. It produces a secret that helps moisturize the airways. The mucous membrane has a lot of vessels that are involved in warming the air. All this prevents pathogenic microorganisms from living and multiplying in the nasal cavity.
But if in nasal cavity got microbes, then swelling of the mucous membrane occurs, it is damaged, as a result of which mucus is produced in a large volume. The color of the mucus can determine the disease.
First of all, it is necessary to determine the cause of the appearance of brown snot, since the method of treatment will depend on this. The appearance of brown mucus in adults is a reason to see a doctor.
A runny nose of an infectious origin is the most common pathology of the upper respiratory tract. The volume, consistency and color of mucus depend on the stage of the disease. At first it is abundant, serous (serous-mucous) and transparent. A couple of days later, when viral infection joins bacterial, mucus includes impurities of pus.
The volume of pus increases, causing the snot to turn yellow (yellow-green) and thick. At the end of the runny nose, they are no longer so abundant. The mucus turns into dry yellow-green crusts and then gradually disappears.
The brown tint of the mucus is imparted by the blood. When the hemoglobin of the stale blood begins to change and transform, the color changes from red to brown.
This does not happen with a cold, which is a symptom. colds... The appearance of streaks of blood or clots indicates fragility of the vessels of the nasal mucosa due to a number of reasons.
This happens if a person blows his nose strongly or has a curvature of the nasal septum. These factors injure the mucosal epithelium. Also, the appearance of brown snot may be associated with an increase in blood pressure, lack of vitamin C, dry mucous membranes.
Causes of occurrence
If an adult has brown snot, then it is imperative to consult a doctor. This is the only way to protect yourself from serious consequences.
First of all, you need to identify the cause. Most often, these can be viruses and bacteria that cause inflammation in the maxillary sinuses.
With prolonged inflammation, pus forms in the sinuses, and a person has brown snot. This color is a sign that the pus is drying up. When the crusts of pus enter the mucus, they dissolve and the discharge turns brown.
Also, brown discharge can be a symptom of a fungal disease. It happens that candidiasis and mold fungi actively multiply in the nasal sinuses. Because of this, white mucus is first released, which eventually turns brown. A change in color indicates a running inflammatory process.
The appearance of brown mucus with a runny nose is a serious symptom that indicates improper or delayed treatment of the disease or the development of complications, as well as the spread of the inflammatory process to the sinuses and mucosal damage.
Common sinusitis is and. The symptoms of these diseases are similar: intoxication, specific pain syndrome, thick, mucopurulent discharge.
Brown snot may occur due to late treatment, chronic inflammation, injuries during sinus puncture or nasal lavage, foreign body entering the nasal cavity.
It happens that a small amount of discharge that is brown or almost black in color can also occur against the background of complete health. This can be caused by dusty and dirty air. Such brown snot appears in people of some professions.
Possible complications
Without timely treatment, any disease is fraught with consequences. They can be not only unpleasant, but much more difficult to treat. If brown snot is a symptom of sinusitis, then the following complications may occur:
- Extracranial. They appear in the form of purulent foci in the surrounding tissues that do not penetrate into the cranial cavity. The most common extracranial complications include:
- Nonsuppurative lesions of the eye area (edema of the eyelids, inflammation of the periosteum).
- Purulent lesions (abscess of the eyelids, paraorbital and postorbital tissue, phlegmon of the orbit, occlusion of the orbital vessels).
- Intracranial. They are less common but can be fatal. Intracranial complications include: meningitis, brain abscess, cavernous sinus thrombosis, blood poisoning.
It is imperative to treat sinusitis. The therapy takes a long time. Very often it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention (sinus puncture), so timely treatment is necessary to avoid the development of complications.
Treatment methods
If brown snot appears, you should definitely consult with your ENT doctor. First, the specialist must listen to the patient's complaints, determine the presence of pain and symptoms of intoxication of the body, clarify the nature of the discharge, the duration of the disease.
The presence of anatomical defects or foreign bodiesthat can cause bleeding. Depending on the color of the mucus on back wall pharynx, the doctor determines the source of blood loss.
Only after consultation and examination is the therapy regimen selected.
Medicines:
If there are no complaints other than brown snot, then therapy is aimed at strengthening the vessels of the mucous membrane and restoring its functions. In this case, vitamin C and preparations containing iron, as well as moisturizing sprays, are used. Cardio training recommended.
Supplement drug treatment you can use folk remedies... It is proposed to use decoctions and infusions from medicinal plants, which have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.
Folk remedies:
It should be remembered that if brown snot is released during sinusitis or sinusitis, then warming up procedures cannot be done, since high temperature negatively affects the course of the inflammatory process. As a result, the condition can only worsen.
Video
conclusions
Brown snot is most often a sign of sinusitis. But sometimes they can indicate other diseases as well. Therefore, treatment should be prescribed only by a specialist who will diagnose and select the appropriate medications.
When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should consult a doctor. If you follow all the recommendations of a specialist, then you can avoid serious complications, such as or.
Inflammation of the maxillary sinuses usually occurs if the runny nose is not treated in any way for a long time. When an irritant (virus, foreign microorganism, allergen) gets on the mucous membrane, a large amount of mucus is released. It is necessary to create such conditions so that this mucus constantly comes out.
If the nose is not cleared, mucus accumulates. There is a bacterial microflora, so pathogenic microorganisms develop. It is known that humid and warm environments are very good conditions for various bacteria.
The initial cause of sinusitis is reduced immunity, which allows bacteria and viruses to enter the body through airways... The latter are deposited on the mucous membrane, causing inflammatory process.
The symptomatology of this disease is quite pronounced, and manifests itself:
- increased body temperature;
- headache;
- a feeling of pressure on the forehead, weight;
- difficulty breathing through the nose;
- general malaise;
- secretions of various colors.
Brown snot from an adult's nose - how to treat?
Since sinusitis is characterized by purulent inflammation, most often the snot is thick and not transparent, but have a color: from light green to maroon. Such a wide range is due to the presence of impurities - pus or blood. More often green, but with prolonged and insufficiently productive treatment, or strong blowing of the nose, small vessels can burst, which explains the presence of blood.
It is imperative in such a situation to be examined by an ENT doctor.
- medication (plus various physiotherapy procedures);
- using punctures.
The latter is used much less often, because the disease as a result of this application of this method of treatment acquires a chronic form.
Attention! The main thing is that the sinuses are clean during treatment.
Why does the child have brown snot?
In children, the cause of sinus inflammation is most often mycoplasma and chlamydial infections. The etiology, as well as the symptomatology of the disease, is similar to that of an adult.
It is best to establish a diagnosis in the early stages, because then conservative treatment will not be enough - a piercing will be necessary, and, possibly, an antibiotic.
Why can snot be brown in children? This is due to the stage of the disease. At the beginning - with a green tint. When the parents did not take the baby to the ENT on time (check if everything is normal in the throat, nasopharynx) or decided to cope on their own (which may not bring results), the discharge may become dark - the most difficult stage that requires inpatient treatment.
The reasons for the appearance of a burgundy shade (blood impurities):
- frequent use of decongestants (drops that relieve puffiness);
- the septum was broken - blood is present in the early stages of the disease;
- prolonged treatment, or its absence in case of illness.
Drops that relieve swelling can be used no more than 7 days. There is a danger of tachyphylaxis, that is, addiction to decongestants. Also, with prolonged use of drops, the mucous membrane is overdried and the vessels may atrophy.
Treatment should be systematic, not only medication, but also with the use of warming and other useful procedures.
Warming can be used only when the discharge is transparent. Purulent inflammation will worsen if exposed high temperatures... It is necessary to consult a specialist who will provide "step-by-step instructions" on how to fight the disease.
These diseases are prone to relapse, which forces an adult to return to pills, drops and other drugs.
Attentive patients always notice in themselves various manifestations of the disease, for example, changes in the general temperature, intoxication or mucus from the nose.
Brown snot is also one of the symptoms of pathology, it is important to understand the nature of the phenomenon in more detail.
Nasal mucus is a key factor in the body's defense against infections. Mucus has components that prevent the further multiplication of viruses and bacteria. Cells leave the capillary blood and enter the mucus, thus determining what color the discharge will be.
If there are a large number of leukocytes, then the snot will be white. Such cells form an additional amount of secretions, changing their shade.
When neutrophils collide with bacteria that live in secretion, blood cells die, myeloperoxidase is a green enzyme. The released agent is designed to launch a number of protective reactions that eliminate infections.
If the discharge is brown, it indicates the appearance of red blood cells. Erythrocytes penetrate into the mucus from diseased capillaries. Initially, these cells stain mucus a rich red color (many red blood cells) or a dull pink color (few red blood cells).
Over time, hemoglobin, which is the main pigment of erythrocytes, begins to break down in the cells. The protein is converted to hemosiderin, which is yellow-brown in color, thanks to iron oxide.
The discharge from the nose thus becomes orange, which is this.
When colored mucus appears
In an adult, brown snot is usually a common occurrence with a cold and sinusitis. If there is atrophy of the nasal mucosa caused by prolonged use of drops, then the vessels lose their strength and blood often ends up in mucus.
If you do not take therapeutic measures, then the discharge will be yellow-rusty. Therefore, if a brown secret occurs and there are no other complaints, in addition to a cold, attention should be paid to the adequacy of the treatment.
Nasal drops containing hormones and vasoconstrictors should be discontinued. It is necessary to restore the mucous membrane and strengthen the blood vessels. For these purposes, apply:
- natural vegetable oils: olive, peach,
- nutrient products: Pinosol,
- regenerative drops: Derinat.
The nostrils become inflamed when the sinus is blocked by a mucous plug. This condition is characterized by the secretion of brown mucus. Usually, a person has recently suffered, the nasal cavity is clear, breathing is not difficult, but there is heaviness or pain in the sinus area, and fluid is felt in one sinus when the head is tilted.
In this case, you should definitely discuss the use of antibacterial agents with your doctor. Typically, the infection will not go away on its own.
If the discharge from the nasal cavity is rusty, then there was bleeding. In some cases, such symptoms occur with tumor-like diseases of the nose or paranasal sinuses.
Basically, tumors appear in an adult. They are differentiated into malignant and benign. A yellow-brown discharge is characteristic of a bleeding tumor.
Doctors refer to these types of tumors:
- benign vascular formations, for example, hemangiomas, angiogranulomas,
- malignant formations.
In the first case, hemangioma or angiogranuloma contains many vessels that are easy to damage.
The blood is constantly being destroyed and constantly gets into the mucus. After bleeding, a person can display brown discharge for a long time. In the case of a malignant tumor, the tumor aggressively affects the adjacent vessels and tissues, causing erosion.
If the following severe symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor:
- difficulty in nasal breathing in the absence of allergies or infection,
- discharge from the nose of various colors for no apparent reason,
- ulcers on the mucous membrane,
- prolonged and frequent nosebleeds, which were not previously accompanied by damage,
- otitis media.
Such tumors respond quickly to therapy in the initial stages. They can be easily diagnosed with a rhinoscopy.
Scleroma and Ozena
Brown snot can appear in an adult with scleroma and ozena - nonspecific pathologies that cause a fetid rhinitis.
These ailments are accompanied by the following phenomena:
- mucosal atrophy,
- formation of brown, green and yellow crusts.
Black crusts trapped in the mucus give the discharge a yellow-rusty hue.
There are other manifestations of these pathologies:
- decreased sense of smell,
- a strong smell from the nose that people around you feel,
- persistent dryness of the nose and throat,
- frequent bleeding of the mucous membrane.
Scleroma and ozena can only be determined by a doctor. As a rule, pathologies are rarely recorded, are of a genetic nature and mainly affect women. About alarming symptoms with a change in snot in the video in this article.
Brown snot from the nose in an adult or child is an excellent way to diagnose sinusitis, and also allow you to determine at what stage the disease is. Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses proceeds in several stages, each of which has its own characteristic features. One of the signs of the onset of a purulent process in the nasal passages is discharge with a brown tint.
The first thing to learn about this is that with a runny nose, even with a light brown color, a doctor's consultation is necessary. Timely prescribed treatment will save you from dangerous complications diseases.
Causes of brown snot
By the color of mucous secretions, you can preliminarily diagnose the disease in a patient. It is better to ask your ENT doctor about the causes of brown snot.
Only a specialist will be able to say exactly why you have this phenomenon. However, you need to know about the possible risk factors in order to have an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat happens in the body when a particular disease occurs.
Addictions
In the process of smoking, resin compounds and other toxic substances are deposited on the mucous membranes of the human nasopharynx.
Components of tobacco smoke that remain in the body provoke this color of mucous secretions.
Mucous discharge will certainly appear when a person becomes infected with a cold, and rhinitis begins. If at the first signs of the disease the patient does not leave the bad habit, then his runny nose will be exactly brown.
The presence of sinusitis
Sinusitis is the most common type of sinusitis. It occurs when an infection becomes active in the paranasal sinuses. The pathological process can occur in both acute and chronic forms.
Often, sinusitis is purulent in nature. As a result of mixing blood and pus with mucus, the patient has a yellow or brown discharge. The focus of inflammation can be localized in one or both sinuses.
Neoplasms in the nose
The cause of brown discharge can be neoplasms in the nasal cavity of various origins. As a rule, these are hemangiomas or agranulomas. They are growths intertwined with blood vessels.
The integrity of the thin walls is quite easy to break with the usual cleansing of the nose.
Malignant neoplasms (tumors) during growth touch adjacent tissues, organs, vessels. Due to their destruction, blood appears in the mucus with a runny nose.
Dry air
This reason applies more to young children, but in an adult it is not uncommon. Insufficient humidity and lack of regular cleaning in the room make the mucous membrane dry and thin. This means that the tissues become more susceptible to damage. In this case, bleeding can begin even during blowing out.
Therapeutic measures
First of all, it is necessary to find out the causes of brown rhinitis, as well as why the snot appeared initially. This will require the advice of an experienced specialist. The doctor will find out what is the nature of the runny nose, and select the appropriate treatment regimen.
Vasoconstrictor drugs
It is only necessary to use this type of medication if a child or an adult has a severely stuffy nose.
Ideally, instillation should be performed at bedtime or by flushing the sinuses with medicinal solutions. If you do not unblock nasal breathing before the procedures, then you are unlikely to be able to achieve significant results.
TO effective drugs with a vasoconstrictor effect include:
- Naphtizin;
- Xymelin;
- Nazivin;
- Galazolin.
Rinsing the nose
Most likely, your doctor will advise you to perform this procedure. Lavages can be done using seafood solutions from the pharmacy:
- Aquamaris;
- Physiomer;
- Humer;
- Aqualor;
- Dolphin.
Washing technology remains standard. Draw in the medicine so that it comes out of one nostril and goes into the other. This method can effectively cleanse the nasal cavity from excess mucus.
If there is no way to get to the pharmacy, then the saline solution can be prepared at home. For 200 ml of boiling water, you need a teaspoon of sea or kitchen salt. The frequency of washing should be at least 5 times a day.
Disinfectants
Bactericidal therapy for children and adults will not interfere with any of the stages of sinusitis. Protargol nasal drops have a powerful effect. Silver particles in its composition actively destroy the painful microflora in the nasal mucosa.
Rinofluimucil has almost the same result. These drops are not recommended to be taken before consulting a doctor.
If you need to help yourself urgently, and you can't get to the doctor yet, use sea buckthorn oil. It also has a bactericidal effect, but it is a safer analogue of the above drugs.
Antibacterial treatment
In the case when the snot has a brown tint, and the patient has elevated temperature body, broad-spectrum antibiotics may be needed. You can also learn about the attachment of a bacterial infection from clinical analysis the patient's blood. The dosage and duration of antibiotic treatment is determined by the attending physician.
The most popular drugs are:
- Ceftriaxone;
- Cefotaxime;
- Azithromycin;
- Azicine.
Homeopathic therapy
If sinusitis has not yet passed into a neglected form, then you can try to do with homeopathic remedies. The composition of such preparations contains exclusively natural ingredients and plant extracts.
They help stop the inflammatory process, and also activate the body's immune defenses to the maximum. However, when consuming drugs, you need to be extremely careful, because allergies are possible to plant components.
The most common homeopathic pills are as follows:
- Korizalia;
- Sinupret;
- Cinnabsin;
- Rumex;
- Gelsemin.
Surgery
This method must be used if the patient's pain progresses and the temperature does not go astray. In this case, it can be assumed that sinusitis develops with complications. If the suspicions are confirmed, the doctor will refer the patient to puncture the maxillary sinuses.
Thanks to this operation, purulent masses will come out of the nasal canals, the inflammation will subside, and excruciating pains will pass. Surgery is an emergency measure when the contents of the sinuses begin to move towards the brain.
Brown snot in a child or adult is the main symptom of such a dangerous disease as sinusitis. Brown snot can also indicate a common cold. Despite the similarity of these ailments, they require a radically different approach to treatment. For this reason, it is necessary to accurately verify the diagnosis before taking therapeutic measures.
Only an otolaryngologist can cope with this task. In some cases, getting rid of a runny nose with sinusitis is possible only with the help of surgical intervention. If a puncture is not made in time, the inflammation can spread to neighboring organs and tissues.