What kind of cold is yellow nose

Although colds are not a big problem, they still cause a lot of pain to people. People with colds usually experience runny nose, cough, nausea and vomiting, and many people feel irritable during a cold. In particular, many people have runny yellow noses after catching a cold, which is not only uncomfortable but also makes people feel very nauseous. So, what kind of cold is yellow nose?

Since yellow mucus mainly appears in the later stages of a cold, some people mistakenly believe that this is a sign that the cold is getting better. "From the perspective of Western medicine, yellow nasal discharge indicates bacterial infection in the body. From the perspective of clinical symptoms, patients with viral colds usually have clear watery nasal discharge, and generally speaking, the body can heal itself; if a secondary bacterial infection occurs, the nasal discharge will turn into yellow, indicating that the inflammation has worsened.

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, yellow mucus in the early stages of a cold is one of the symptoms of a wind-heat cold. If the yellow mucus is transformed from clear mucus, it generally indicates that the cold evil has turned into heat. Yellow mucus indicates heat in the body. If the mucus is very yellow, it means there is "fire" in the body, which is a sign of worsening inflammation.

Yellow runny nose should be judged based on two considerations. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "phlegm and fluid" (generally the thicker one is called "phlegm", and the thinner one is called "fluid") is cold in nature. Traditional Chinese medicine theory holds that "patients suffering from phlegm and fluid should be treated with warm medicines", which means that warm medicines should be used to treat them.

If you have clear watery nasal discharge at the beginning of a cold, and then the nasal discharge starts to turn yellow, the amount of nasal discharge gradually decreases, and the nasal cavity becomes dry, it means that the cold is getting better;

If the amount of nasal mucus does not decrease and the nasal cavity does not become dry, but the yellow mucus becomes thicker and thicker, and is accompanied by symptoms such as headache and eye discomfort, it means that the infection has worsened.

What to do if you have a runny nose due to a cold

1. Wash clothes in hot water

If someone in your home has a cold, wash clothes and bed sheets in hot water to help kill germs.

2. Eat less sugar

Studies have found that when volunteers eat 100g of sugar, the phagocytes in the immune system will reduce their phagocytosis of bacteria within 5 hours. So cut back on sugar and give your immune system a fighting chance!

3. Get 8 hours of sleep

If you sleep less than 7 hours a day, your chances of catching a cold will increase three times. Experts at Yale University have found that sleep disorders or lack of sleep can affect the activity of the immune system.

4. Keep your nose warm

One of the important reasons why we are prone to catching colds in cold seasons is that our nose is not kept warm. The nose usually has a lower temperature, which can easily reduce the resistance to infection. If it is really too cold, you might as well wear a mask or scarf in advance to help warm your nose.

5. Minimize handshakes

Compared with a fist bump when meeting, a handshake increases the body surface area and duration of contact between both parties, increasing the risk of infection by 10 to 20 times.

6. Keep a distance from people with colds

Studies show that if you sit within two seats of someone with a cold, your chances of being infected increase dramatically. If you see someone with a runny nose or sneezing, change seats as soon as possible. If you cannot change seats, be sure to open the windows for ventilation.

7. Wash your hands frequently

If your hands are very dirty, simply using hand sanitizer (unless the alcohol content is 60-80%) will not achieve the desired sterilization effect. Wash your hands frequently with soap after returning home from outside.

8. Wash your nose with salt water

Salt can help prevent colds by preventing bacteria from taking up residence in the nasal cavity. A runny nose should not be taken lightly. Once you notice a change in color of your snot, you should pay attention. Different colored snot is warning you that you may have a disease. You should keep warm and get enough sleep.