When you have a runny nose...?

Question

This may be a dumb question but im going for ask it anyway, lol. When you have a cold and your nose run's like a waterfall what is the watery stuff (otherwise known as snot,lol). No matter how many times i have to blow my nose it starts runnin again. LOL God, i feel like a right idiot askin this now lol.

Answer 1

It's called mucus. It's constantly present in the nose, but production of it goes into overdrive when you have a cold or when you're in a dirty environment in order to catch all the bacteria/dirt and eject them from the body.

These two pages explain "snot" in more detail and describe the role of mucus and how it is produced:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mucus

Answer 2

This is a really interesting question, one that I have been trying to get doctors to address for many years. There is no problem with the thick stuff (mucus, snot) which comes from the lining of the nose or sinuses. The thin watery stuff is in my opinion cerebrospinal fluid, which I think in normal people drains into the nose and then into the lymphatic system. A cold is therefore when a virus attacks the lining of the nose, releasing this fluid to drain out of the nose or clog up the lymphatic system and lead to secondary infection. If you have knocked your head or had exposure to pressure you might have sprung a leak in the bone separating the brain from the air spaces in your head. If this fluid is excessive, persistent, salty, associated with neurological symptoms, or one-sided, you might be able to persuade a doctor to take this theory seriously and investigate for a persistent leak (fistula).

Answer 3

this 'runny stuff' is actually over produced mucus. the nose goes into overdrive because of the hystemine - the chemical released when you have an allergic reation (hence those with hayfever get a runny nose)......

its doing a good job, its only when its green that its infected... like the stuff you cough up when you have a chest infection.

as for cold remedies - i find the best is the natural remedy of LOCAL organic honey and fresh lemon. the local honey hleps your immune system because it containc vitamins from your local area.

get well soon x x x

Answer 4

It's mucous. It's produced by your body to flush out the germs trapped in your nose. It's produced in larger ammounts when you're infected with respiratory infections like the Flu.

Bogies are dried mucous with all of the crap that's gone into your nose, including dust and germs.

Answer 5

runs more coz trying to get rid of the infection or allergy so produces more mucus to "wash it away". Kleenex 3 ply are the best - not toilet roll that just disintergrates in your fingers!!!!!!

Answer 6

When you catch a virus, all your natural defense systems fire up. One of them is to produce lots of mucus to flush out the intruders.

Answer 7

I have the same problem. My nose is all red and irritated from blowing it. Sucks huh? Well...i dunno the answer to your question. Im not a doctor. All i know is im sick of being sick. LOL. Im gunna get a flu shot. Good Luck!

Answer 8

i know u'll prob think im a right idiot for answerin..............but i get a runny nose when drinkin pints of larger (even when i aint got a cold!) how bleedin strange is that!!! LOL

Answer 9

it's your bodies way of getting rid of the germs so it's a mixture of mucus which protects you and dead germs

Answer 10

IT IS...........MUCUS!! THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION!!