What should you know about green runny nose?

Nasal mucus can become yellow or green as it thickens and collects immune cells, dust, and other particles. This is common during a common cold and may occur with influenza or COVID-19. Sinusitis can cause coloured discharge with facial pressure, reduced smell, or pain around the cheeks and forehead. Allergic rhinitis, house dust mite allergy, and pet allergy more often cause clear, watery discharge, but irritated nasal passages can produce thicker mucus too.

Consider the whole pattern rather than the colour. Note how long it has lasted, whether symptoms are improving, whether one nostril is affected, and whether there is facial pain, fever, headache, cough, or breathing difficulty.

Drink fluids, rest, and gently blow your nose rather than repeatedly sniffing mucus back. Saline drops or a saline rinse may loosen thick discharge; use safe water and clean equipment for any rinse. Wash hands and avoid sharing towels while you have respiratory symptoms. A pharmacist can advise on congestion relief, but check before using medicated nasal sprays for longer than directed, particularly if you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, are pregnant, or take regular medicines.

Get urgent help for swelling around an eye, vision changes, severe headache with neck stiffness, confusion, or difficulty breathing. Arrange medical review for severe facial pain, persistent fever, repeated vomiting, dehydration, worsening symptoms after initial improvement, or discharge that remains troublesome. Seek earlier advice for a baby, a person with reduced immunity, or someone with significant facial swelling or severe illness.

Ask whether the discharge fits a cold, allergy, or sinus problem, whether your nose or face needs examination, and which rinse or medicine is suitable. Mention one-sided symptoms, facial pain, smell changes, fever, allergies, asthma, pregnancy, and current medicines.