Myths and Facts About Snot

Myth or fact? Snot can be good for you.

: Ding!

We all need mucus, we all need snot, snot is a good thing.

Producing mucus will help clear your sinuses, help clear your nasal passages.

And the snot and the mucus, they help keep our mucous membranes moist and protect them from getting dry and cracked.

It's just when you have a cold or some kind of upper respiratory infection, you produce more of that so you are more aware of all the drainage.

Myth or fact? When snot changes color, you need an antibiotic.

: Buzzer

A lot of people think yellow or green snot means you need an antibiotic. That is not true.

If it's a viral infection causing the yellow or green snot, yellow in particular is very common with viral cold infections. Antibiotics are really not useful for that.

It's OK to have yellow or green snot, but if it persists for seven to 10 days, then you probably should let your doctor know. That may mean that you have developed a bacterial infection, sinus infection, possible bronchitis, but for few days, it's nothing to worry about.

: Achoo!

Myth or fact? Water helps get rid of snot.

: Ding!

The best way to get rid of mucus is to keep it wet. Drink plenty of water or other fluids.

Another thing that could be helpful is just a plain saline nasal spray, which is a salt water spray.

You can use those as often as you want -- help moisturize your nasal passages and keep that mucus thin.

Nasal Irrigation is a great one as well. You may know it by "neti pot." It really helps get rid of the snot, the excess mucus, the germs, keeps it moist, it keeps you feeling better.