美白最好的美容项目 Phlegm Color Chart: What the Color of Your Phlegm Means

The color of your phlegm can indicate an underlying condition. For example, yellow or green phlegm can be a sign of a respiratory infection, while red or pink phlegm can indicate lung bleeding or inflammation. Phlegm is typically clear and thin. Your body produces it as part of its natural defense against irritants and infections.

Several factors can affect the colors of phlegm, including underlying health conditions, smoking, and environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity.

The color of phlegm cannot confirm a health condition on its own. However, doctors may check phlegm symptoms to use alongside other information during diagnosis.

Read on to learn the different colors of phlegm and what they might mean, when to contact a doctor, and how to treat phlegm.

What are the different colors of phlegm? Oscar Wong/Getty Images

Phlegm can be many different colors. Each color has its own meaning.

The most common colors of phlegm are clear, yellow, and green. Other colors are also possible.

ColorPossible causeConditionsClearYour body is protecting itself from inflammation or allergies.• allergic rhinitis• asthmaYellow or greenYour body is fighting off an infection.• bronchitis• cystic fibrosis• sinusitis• pneumonia WhiteYour body is protecting itself from allergies or an infection.• asthma• COPD• congestive heart failure• sinusitisRed or pinkThis can be due to a condition that causes inflammation or the presence of blood.• bronchiectasis• bronchitis• chest infection• lung cancer• pulmonary embolism• pneumonia• tuberculosisBrownThis can be a sign of a chronic lung condition.• bronchiectasis• cystic fibrosis• lung cancer• stopping smokingBlackThis is a rare occurrence that can happen due to inhalation or an infection.• coal workers’ pneumoconiosis• inhaling fire smoke• pneumonia• rhinocerebral mucormycosis

Learn about symptoms you can experience alongside phlegm.

Clear phlegm

Clear phlegm means your body has produced extra mucus to help protect itself from a virus or bacteria.

Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, can cause clear phlegm, as mucus in the nose drains down the throat.

Asthma can also lead to clear phlegm if your airways become inflamed. This can be a sign that your asthma is worsening.

Yellow or green phlegm

Yellow or green phlegm is often a sign that your body is fighting off an infection.

However, it can also be a symptom of several different conditions, including:

Sinusitis: inflammation of the sinusesBronchitis: inflammation of the bronchi or the air passages that connect your windpipe to your lungsPneumonia: a lung infection that causes phlegm to build up in the lungs and airwaysCystic fibrosis: a genetic condition that can cause thick, sticky mucus White phlegm

Small amounts of clear-to-white phlegm can be typical and may not be a sign of illness. However, an increase in white phlegm may indicate inflammation or a lung condition flare-up.

Possible causes of white phlegm include Trusted Source American Heart Association Highly respected national organization Go to source :

asthma hay fever or allergiesCOPDsinusitisheart conditions, like congestive heart failure Red or pink phlegm

Pink or red phlegm can signify inflammation or bleeding from a lung condition, such as:

bronchiectasis, which can cause a persistent cough and shortness of breathbronchitischest infectionlung cancerpneumoniapulmonary embolism, when a blood clot from elsewhere in the body trels to the lungstuberculosis

Contact a doctor as soon as possible if you cough up pink, red, or bloody phlegm.

Learn more about the possible causes of spitting blood and coughing up blood.

Brown phlegm

According to experts, brown phlegm can be a sign of a chronic lung condition. The color of the phlegm comes from the presence of red blood cells and other body debris.

Causes of brown phlegm include:

stopping smoking, due to your body trying to remove tar from your airwaysbronchiectasiscystic fibrosisCOPDlung cancer, which can cause you to cough up rust-colored phlegm

Contact a doctor if you cough up brown or black phlegm.

Black phlegm

Black phlegm can occur Trusted Source American Journal of Clinical Nutrition Peer reviewed journal Go to source if you he inhaled certain substances or if you he an infection.

Possible causes of black phlegm include Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source :

pneumonia fungal infections, like rhinocerebral mucormycosis, which is a rare and serious infection caused by filamentous fungibreathing in irritants, like smoke from a large firecoal workers’ pneumoconiosis, also known as black lung disease, which is a chronic respiratory condition caused by long-term exposure to coal dustpulmonary malignant melanoma, a type of lung cancer What does the texture of my phlegm mean?

The texture of phlegm can vary depending on the underlying cause.

Phlegm or mucus is mostly made of water. Your body makes a lot of mucus, and you may only notice it when it becomes a little thicker than usual.

In some cases, phlegm can become thick and sticky. This can happen as a result of a lung infection.

Pink and frothy phlegm sometimes indicates Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source heart failure.

Paying attention to the color and texture of your phlegm can help doctors diagnose the cause of your symptoms.

When should I see a doctor?

Contact a doctor if you:

he phlegm that smells strongly or unpleasant he phlegm that has blood or pus in itare coughing up bloodhe a fever or cold symptoms, like a runny nose or sore throatare hing difficulty breathinghe phlegm that is: yellow or green pink or redblack or brown

Also, talk with a doctor if you are unsure about what is causing your phlegm or he any other symptoms alongside it.

How do doctors diagnose the cause of phlegm?

Doctors diagnose the cause of phlegm by asking about your medical history and symptoms.

They may also:

perform a physical examination, including of your airwaysuse a stethoscope to listen to your lungs while you breatherequest further tests, such as: chest X-raysputum culture, which involves taking a phlegm sample What are the treatments for phlegm?

Treatment options mainly address the underlying cause of phlegm, rather than depending just on the phlegm’s color.

For example, if you he brown phlegm due to quitting smoking, doctors may recommend an expectorant medication called guaifenesin (Mucinex). Guaifenesin can help remove Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source mucus. On the other hand, doctors may treat lung cancer that causes brown phlegm with chemotherapy or surgery.

Specific treatments for different conditions that cause phlegm include:

ConditionExample treatmentsAsthma• inhalers containing steroids or other medications • oral medicationsSeasonal allergies or mild inflammationantihistamine medicationsSerious infections, like pneumonia or tuberculosisantiviral, antibiotic, or antifungal medications, depending on the type of infectionCOPD• inhaler or oral medications• oxygen therapy• lung rehabilitation therapyLung cancer• chemotherapy• radiotherapy• surgery• medication

Most mild respiratory infections that cause phlegm, such as a common cold, get better on their own. However, medical professionals can recommend over-the-counter (OTC) remedies to relieve symptoms during recovery.

Talk with a doctor if you he questions about treatment for your condition.

What color phlegm needs antibiotics?

Phlegm colors alone can’t confirm whether you need antibiotics.

While bacterial infections can sometimes cause different-colored phlegm, in many cases, other conditions are responsible. If another condition is causing colored phlegm, antibiotics may not help and may even risk your health Trusted Source World Health Organization Highly respected international organization Go to source .

A doctor will look for other signs of bacterial infection before prescribing antibiotics.

Management

Some general treatments can help you manage phlegm while you address the underlying cause.

Examples include:

taking medications called decongestants, expectorants, and mucolytics to reduce phlegm or make it thinnerusing saline nasal spray to relieve congestion and reduce excess phlegm production in the throatstaying hydrated oiding suppressing a cough, as this can help clear mucususing a humidifierinhaling steam, while taking care to oid scalding yourself

Talk with a doctor or pharmacist for product recommendations.

Summary

Phlegm is a common symptom of respiratory conditions. The colors of phlegm can vary depending on the underlying cause. 

The treatment for phlegm depends on its cause and severity. Your doctor may be able to prescribe you medication to reduce phlegm and make it thinner.

Contact your doctor if you he phlegm that does not go away or that you cannot explain.