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I've Been Seeing Black Dry Nasal Mucus For Around A
Question: I've been seeing black dry nasal mucus for around a week. I don't have any symptoms other than coughing once or twice a day (not coughing up blood). Is this something to be concerned about or normal?
Brief Answer:
Mucous is not dry
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Black mucous means you must have inhaled something. It means either you are exposed to some air pollution or maybe some water pollution.
Cough is trying to expel it out. Hopefully you should recover by yourself.
Kindly see if you are inhaling polluted air maybe some fumes or air inside some closed room. Avoid inhaling polluted air. Drink cleaner water.
Let me know if you have any medical history or medicine intake.
Observe your symptoms. If they get worse, then it maybe time to visit a doctor. It could then be some fungus.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Mucous is not dry
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Black mucous means you must have inhaled something. It means either you are exposed to some air pollution or maybe some water pollution.
Cough is trying to expel it out. Hopefully you should recover by yourself.
Kindly see if you are inhaling polluted air maybe some fumes or air inside some closed room. Avoid inhaling polluted air. Drink cleaner water.
Let me know if you have any medical history or medicine intake.
Observe your symptoms. If they get worse, then it maybe time to visit a doctor. It could then be some fungus.
Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your prompt answer Dr. Punj!
Chance of air/water pollution is very little since I almost don't leave the house because of the quarantine and I've been using a humidifier too. For the water I only use spring water.
I had used a vaporizer as well as other smoking devices but it was a while back. That is the only thing I can think of as far as inhaling.
When I researched online I found out that this usually occurs with pollution as you mentioned. Since I believe that's not the case, I wanted to make sure it's not a sign of a serious disease.
What would be a good timeframe to wait on this to see if it gets better before scheduling an appointment with a doctor, considering no new symptom other than black nasal mucus arises?
Also, do you think I should start taking probiotics or anything else in the meanwhile just in case if it's fungus?
I really appreciate you taking time to help. Have a great day!
Chance of air/water pollution is very little since I almost don't leave the house because of the quarantine and I've been using a humidifier too. For the water I only use spring water.
I had used a vaporizer as well as other smoking devices but it was a while back. That is the only thing I can think of as far as inhaling.
When I researched online I found out that this usually occurs with pollution as you mentioned. Since I believe that's not the case, I wanted to make sure it's not a sign of a serious disease.
What would be a good timeframe to wait on this to see if it gets better before scheduling an appointment with a doctor, considering no new symptom other than black nasal mucus arises?
Also, do you think I should start taking probiotics or anything else in the meanwhile just in case if it's fungus?
I really appreciate you taking time to help. Have a great day!
Brief Answer:
Time frame depends on your immunity
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Time frame to watch symptoms depends on your immunity. Most mild fungal and other infections are washed out by immunity itself. The infections that can be responsible are fungi like exophiala, aspergillus, bacteria like tuberculosis and anaerobes or ischemic damage to nasal mucosa. The above infections are usually seen in immunosupressed individuals.
If you have average immunity then possibly it may take many weeks for this to become severe enough to see a doctor. Since you have a black mucous that is coughing up, then you may see doctor to get its microscopy done. However it can wait for upto 10 days.
You must avoid hot humid conditions including humidifier.
Probiotics can help short term.
Dr Vaishalee
Time frame depends on your immunity
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Time frame to watch symptoms depends on your immunity. Most mild fungal and other infections are washed out by immunity itself. The infections that can be responsible are fungi like exophiala, aspergillus, bacteria like tuberculosis and anaerobes or ischemic damage to nasal mucosa. The above infections are usually seen in immunosupressed individuals.
If you have average immunity then possibly it may take many weeks for this to become severe enough to see a doctor. Since you have a black mucous that is coughing up, then you may see doctor to get its microscopy done. However it can wait for upto 10 days.
You must avoid hot humid conditions including humidifier.
Probiotics can help short term.
Dr Vaishalee
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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