Decoding your child’s snot colors

What your child’s snot color may be able to tell you about their health:

• Clear mucus: Normal and healthy.
• White mucus: Fighting off a common cold.
• Yellow or green mucus: Fighting off a viral or bacterial infection like cold or flu, sinusitis, COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
• Pink or red mucus: Sign of blood caused by nasal irritation, excessive nose picking or minor injuries to the nose.
• Brown mucus: Exposure to dirt or pollution.
• Black or dark gray mucus: Unusual. Seek medical attention.

If your child has any color of mucus (besides clear) for a prolonged amount of time, give your pediatrician a call.

The guidance on this page has been clinically reviewed by CHOC pediatric experts.

The contents of this webpage, including text, graphics, audio files, and videos (“Materials”), are for your general information only. The Materials are not intended to substitute qualified professional or medical advice, diagnoses, or treatments. CHOC does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, or other information that may be mentioned on or linked to this webpage. Always call your physician or another qualified health provider if you have any questions or problems. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the nearest emergency department, or call 911.

For more health information for your family visit health.choc.org