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Should I be worried about my mucus/phlegm?

Not all mucus/phlegm is of concern, so here is a guide to help you understand whether you are potentially at risk from a mucus plug.

Mucus clear

Clear: Not all mucus/phlegm is of concern, so here is a guide to help you understand whether you are potentially at risk from a mucus plug.

Mucus white

White: a virus such as the common cold. Increase your hydration, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and use a saline nebuliser regularly (daily or more often if you need). Not usually a risk for plugging but keep an eye on things – if it thickens or becomes hard to cough up, then increase your nebulising frequency.

Mucus yellow-green

Yellow or green: a bacterial infection. Yellow phlegm suggests that immune cells are starting to work at the site of the infection or another type of inflammatory condition. White blood cells are the cells of the immune system that are responsible for fighting germs. As they continue to fight the infection, the phlegm picks them up, giving it a yellowish tinge.

If accompanied by a fever, then see your doctor for antibiotic treatment.

Increase your hydration, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and use a saline nebuliser regularly (daily or more often if you need). Can be a risk for plugging, so vigilance needed to keep it moving with fluids.

Mucus orange-brown

Orange or brown: sign of inflammation and dried blood. Increase your hydration and nebulise more frequently with saline. See a doctor if you are coughing up lots of bright red blood, but small smears are not of concern. There are many reasons for blood in the phlegm. A lot of coughing, such as with subglottic stenosis, can sometimes cause small blood vessels in the lungs or airways to break and bleed.

When there is swelling in a person’s nasal passage, they can get a nosebleed. This can cause blood to seep into postnasal drip that they then cough out. Can be a risk for plugging, so vigilance needed to keep it moving with fluids.

 

Texture: Thicker/tackier mucous is of highest risk to airway stenosis patients. This is most likely to increase your risk of a plug. Reducing your risk is about:

  • Nebulizing saline – delivers moisture directly to your airway

  • Running a humidifier - can help moisten the air you breathe

Both options make it easier to cough and loosen up the phlegm stuck in the airway.

Some individuals may find that gentle walking can help them cough up excess phlegm.

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