Phlegm colors and textures, treatment, and when to seek care Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What does green yellow or brown phlegm mean Medically reviewed by Meredith Goodwin, MD, FAAFP — By Nicole Galan, RN — Updated on June 1, 2022Phlegm is a type of mucus that comes from the lungs and nearby lower respiratory tract airways. This kind of mucus plays a crucial role in preventing germs and particles from entering the airways or lungs and causing an infection. Share on PinterestAsiaVision/Getty ImagesTypically, phlegm is clear, thin, and unnoticeable. When someone has a cold or infection, the phlegm can become thickened and change color. Other underlying causes may also affect phlegm color. This article looks at the various colors that phlegm can be and what these mean for a person’s health. It also examines the different textures of phlegm and explains what someone can do if their phlegm changes. Colors of phlegm The color of phlegm can offer useful information about what may be happening with the lungs and other organs of the respiratory system. A person can follow this color guide for reference: Clear Clear phlegm is typical. It consists of water, salts, antibodies, and other immune system cells. After its production in the respiratory tract, most of it goes down the back of the throat, before a person swallows it. Brown and black Brown phlegm may indicate possible bleeding. While it is likely due to bleeding that happened a while ago, it can also indicate a chronic infection such as bronchitis. People who smoke may also have brown phlegm. Black phlegm may indicate the presence of a fungal infection, a history of smoking, or other substances that a person has inhaled regularly. Someone who has black phlegm should contact their doctor immediately, especially if they have a weakened immune system. White White phlegm signifies nasal congestion. When the nasal cavity is congested, the tissues are swollen and inflamed, which slows the passage of phlegm through the respiratory tract. When this happens, the phlegm cus becomes thicker and cloudy or white. Yellow 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. Green Green phlegm indicates a widespread and robust immune response. The white blood cells, germs, and other cells and proteins that the body produces during the immune response give the phlegm its green color. While phlegm of this color can point to an infection, a person does not always need antibiotics. Most infections that lead to green phlegm are viral and usually resolve without treatment within a few weeks. The phlegm often changes back to white after a few days. If this does not occur over a prolonged time, this may indicate a bacterial infection. A person should consult with their doctor before using antibiotics. Using antibiotics when they are unnecessary can be harmful, as bacteria can build up resistance. If green phlegm occurs with breathing difficulties, chest pain, or coughing up blood, this is another sign to consult a doctor urgently. Red Red phlegm signals the presence of blood. There are many reasons for blood in the phlegm. A lot of coughing, such as with a respiratory infection, 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. In other situations, blood in the mucus can indicate the presence of a serious medical condition such as tuberculosis, an abscess, or lung cancer. Phlegm textures Phlegm can also take on different textures, ranging from watery to thick and tacky. Thin and watery phlegm is usually typical and indicates a healthy respiratory tract. During an infection, immune cells, germs, and debris build up in the phlegm, making it thicker, stickier, and cloudier. Coughing and sneezing help the body clear out the excess phlegm, mucus, and other things that do not belong in the respiratory tract. Illness or infection are not the only things that can cause phlegm to become thicker. Being dehydrated or even sleeping can cause the phlegm to move slower and become thicker than usual. Pink and frothy phlegm can mean that someone is experiencing heart failure, especially when it occurs with any of the following symptoms:shortness of breathsweatingchest pain Anyone experiencing these symptoms should visit the emergency room immediately. In addition, frothy phlegm can occur due to altitude sickness and acute respiratory distress syndrome. When to speak with a doctor It is important to note that doctors cannot diagnose a particular disease or condition according to the color of a person’s phlegm. Having green, yellow, or thickened phlegm does not always indicate the presence of an infection. And if there is an infection, the color of the phlegm does not determine whether a virus, bacterium, or pathogen has caused it. Simple allergies can also cause changes in the color of the mucus. Antibiotics will not always resolve green mucus. People who have white, yellow, or green mucus that is present for more than a few days, or if they experience other symptoms, such as fever, chills, a cough, or sinus pain, should speak with a doctor. However, a person is usually fine to wait a few days to try and treat the symptoms at home before making an appointment. Someone who develops new or increased red, brown, black, or frothy sputum should call their doctor for an appointment immediately. These symptoms can be signs of a more serious medical condition that requires prompt treatment. Home care for atypical phlegm White, yellow, or green phlegm is usually treatable at home. People should try to get lots of rest and stay hydrated. Dehydration can worsen thick phlegm, making it harder to cough up. Some individuals may find that gentle walking can help them cough up the excess phlegm. Some other measures to try at home include using the following: Humidifier Running a humidifier can help moisten the air, which eases breathing, making it easier to cough and loosen up the phlegm stuck in the chest. Eucalyptus or peppermint oil Eucalyptus or peppermint essential oils are the active ingredients in many over-the-counter (OTC) chest rubs. When a person rubs these on the chest, they may aid relaxation, improve breathing, and make coughs more productive to get the phlegm out. If using the essential oil directly, a person should dilute it in a little coconut or almond oil before applying it to the chest. Undiluted oils can sometimes be a little intense or painful with direct application to the skin. Some people find that rubbing the oils into the soles of their feet and wearing thick socks can also be effective. Expectorants OTC expectorants, such as guaifenesin, help thin the mucus, making it easier to cough up. Expectorants are available for both children and adults at the local pharmacy. It is important to read the directions and take the medication exactly as the label or pharmacist instructs. Saltwater Gargling with salt water or using a saline solution to clear out the nasal passages is a common way to help clear out phlegm during a viral or bacterial infection. For gargling, a person can dissolve a one-quarter teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water. For clearing out the nasal passage, they can purchase a nasal spray or use a neti pot to rinse the nose. Outlook In most cases, home care measures are safe and effective ways to deal with atypical phlegm. It is important to call a doctor if the phlegm does not improve after a few days. An antibiotic may be necessary to treat an underlying bacterial infection. Anyone with pink, red, brown, black, or frothy mucus should contact their doctor or go to the local emergency room for an evaluation. Frequently asked questions Here are some common questions and answers regarding phlegm. What is the difference between mucus and phlegm Different areas of the body, including the upper respiratory tract — which includes the nose, mouth, and throat — and gastrointestinal tract secrete mucus. But phlegm refers to mucus that the lungs specifically produce. Another term for phlegm is sputum. So when a person coughs out mucus, people refer to it as phlegm, but not the mucus that the nose produces. Is snot the same as phlegm Snot refers to nasal mucus, so it is not phlegm or sputum, which comes from the lungs. What is the difference between phlegm from allergies and phlegm from a cold Allergy-related phlegm will tend to be clear. Colds or infections will usually cause green or yellow phlegm. Learn more on colds versus allergies and reasons for coughing up phlegm without feeling ill. Read this article in Spanish. Last medically reviewed on May 16, 2022RespiratoryEar, Nose, and ThroatFlu / Cold / SARSInfectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses 13 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Albrecht, H. D., et al. (2017). Role of guaifenesin in the management of chronic bronchitis and upper respiratory tract infections.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5724298/Asdaq, S. M. B., et al. (2021). Identifying mucormycosis severity in Indian COVID-19 patients: A nano-based diagnosis and the necessity for critical therapeutic intervention.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8615244/Belli, S., et al. (2021). Airway clearance techniques: The right choice for the right patient.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.544826/fullChronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (2021).https://myhealth.ucsd.edu/conditions/COPD/85,P00206Essential oil dilution chart. (n.d.).https://tisserandinstitute.org/essential-oil-dilution-chart/Health benefits of a humidifier. (2022).https://www.mlhealth.org/about/news/health-benefits-humidifierHome remedies. (n.d.).https://www.plu.edu/chws/health/what-to-do-when/home-remedies/Horváth, G., et al. (2015). Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases highlighting their role in bacterial infections and their anti‐inflammatory action: A review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7163989/Jensen, J. D., et al. (2021). High altitude pulmonary edema.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430819/Malek, R., et al. (2021). Pulmonary edema.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557611/Ramalingam, S., et al. (2019). A pilot, open labelled, randomised controlled trial of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and gargling for the common cold.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6355924/Shelledy, D. C., et al. (2021). Table 4-4 Sputum appearance. Chapter 4 Patient history. Respiratory care: Patient assessment and care plan. //www.google.com/books/edition/Respiratory_Care_Patient_Assessment_and/iLAPEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22sputum+color%22&pg=PA108&printsec=frontcoverUnderstanding mucus in your lungs. 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