Thick Rubbery Mucus From Nose: Home Remedies (2024)

You blow your nose and thick rubbery mucus comes out. Gross, right? Well, it can also be alarming. What kind of illness could be behind your nasal discharge? Find out what can be the cause for sticky mucus from your nose, and how you can treat this symptom.

What Is Nasal Mucus?

Nose goo, snot, booger. We have many names for nasal mucus, because it’s an extremely common type of bodily product. The mucous membranes of your nose and sinuses are responsible for producing it.

Did you know that your nose produces 1-2 quarts of mucus a day? Most of this you swallow, even if you don’t notice.

But, if your nose mucus is thick and rubbery, it’s much harder not to notice...

The consistency and the color of your mucus can be a clear sign of your health. If it’s flowy and transparent, everything is ok. But, if the mucus from your nose turns rubbery and thick, that means that your immune system isn’t as healthy as it is normally.

Green or yellow mucus from your nose can be a sign of an infection or a reaction to your environment. Find out what can cause thick rubbery mucus to form in your nose.

What Can Cause Thick Rubbery Mucus From Your Nose?

There are multiple reasons why you may have thick rubbery mucus coming from your nose. Although you shouldn’t worry, you should definitely take your symptoms seriously.

Common Cold

One of the first symptoms of a common cold is the production of thick nasal mucus. This is how your body tries to fight off a bacterial or viral infection.

Allergies

External irritants can cause your immune system to flare up. This is what we call allergies. When your immune system feels compromised, it tells your nose to produce extra mucus in a bid to flush the irritants out. Your thick rubber nose mucus could simply be an allergic reaction.

Lung Diseases

There are various viruses and bacteria that attack your lungs. Your body’s natural response is to produce mucus to fight this off. So, thick rubbery mucus could be the first sign of a lung infection.

Pneumonia, bronchitis, or cystic fibrosis could all be in the background. But, with these diseases, the thick rubbery mucus doesn’t just come from your nose. You could also be coughing it up. While it’s produced in a different part of your body, the look and consistency is very similar.

Fungal Infection

Viruses and bacteria aren’t the only ways to get an infection. Fungal infections are just as likely to cause your nose to produce mucus.

Fungal rhinosinusitis could be a reason why you’re seeing thick rubbery mucus when you blow your nose. But, it’s easy to recognize. The color of your mucus with fungal infections is golden yellow.

Dry Environment

Thicker mucus could simply be a sign of the air you’re breathing in. Sometimes the air can be very dry, especially in the winter. If your sinuses lack moisture from the air, the mucus your mucous membrane produces will be thicker.

Dehydration

Speaking of moisturized sinuses, the inner hydration of your body can also influence the look and consistency of the mucus it produces.

Drinking lots of coffee or alcohol, sweating, and certain medications can easily lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water to avoid the negative effects of dehydration.

Home Remedies For Thick Rubbery Mucus Coming From Your Nose

The cause of thick rubbery mucus production in your nose is often not a cause for concern. That’s why it’s always good to start your treatment of this symptom easily. These cheap home remedies will clear away most of the thick rubbery mucus from your nose effectively.

• Use a humidifier: It’s very likely that the dryness of your environment is the reason for your nose mucus. Using a humidifier in the winter can clear that away quickly. Plus, it’s also a great remedy for dry skin.
• Drink plenty of water: Whether your mucus comes from dehydration or the common cold, drinking lots of water can help you get rid of it.
• Eat some spicy food: If a respiratory problem is behind your mucus production, spicy food can clear your sinuses up quickly.
• Drink lemon and ginger tea: Lemon and ginger tea is great for you. These ingredients can boost your immune system while hydrating you at the same time.
• Gargle with saltwater: Create a solution from warm water and salt. Gargling with this helps loosen the mucus at the back of your throat and disinfect the area as well.

How to Treat Sticky Nasal Mucus

If these home remedies didn’t work for you as well as they should have, the infection that’s causing your mucus may be further along. At this point, you can turn to over-the-counter medications to relieve the symptom.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Common over-the-counter decongestants can help soothe the inflammation and open up your airways. If you’re also feeling chest congestion, this is especially helpful. You can buy decongestants at the pharmacy or drug store in the form of tablets, syrups, and powders.

Another option for you could be to take expectorants like guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin). These can thin out the mucus, helping it clear away from your nose.

Alternatively, if the cause of your mucus is an allergic reaction, an antihistamine can take care of that quickly.

Prescription Medications

If neither the home remedies nor the over-the-counter medications are helping you get rid of your nasal mucus, it may be time to turn to a doctor. They can prescribe you medication that will effectively target your mucus production.

They’ll most likely prescribe mucolytics to thin out your mucus. You’ll need to inhale this to take effect. The two common types of mucolytics are dornase alfa and hypertonic saline.

When to See a Doctor With Thick Rubbery Nasal Mucus

If you have thick rubbery mucus coming from your nose, you shouldn’t worry. Most likely, it’s a minor passing infection. But, it’s best to monitor your other symptoms to see how well your body fights it off. You should contact a doctor if you have long-lasting sinus pressure, a fever, or if your nasal discharge doesn’t go away.

Infections can quickly spread. If you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, a raspy cough, or a fever higher than 103°F (39°C), you should seek emergency medical attention.

How to See a Doctor About Nasal Mucus Easily

In most cases, thick rubbery mucus isn’t a sign of a serious problem. But, it can definitely be annoying. And since it’s usually the first sign of a cold or an infection, it’s important to monitor your symptoms. If it doesn’t go away, you need to get prescription medication for it.

Luckily, you won’t even need to leave your house to talk to a doctor.

As a Carefree MD member, you get complete access to a state-licensed and board-certified physician from where you feel the most comfortable. All you need is an internet connection and a mobile or desktop device. And once you sign up, you’ll get unlimited appointments where you can discuss your concerns with a doctor.

Need to talk to a doctor about thick rubber mucus coming from your nose? Sign up for Carefree MD to find relief with telemedicine today!

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