# Questions about snot (changed title) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 10, 2004, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507 "2004-10-10T20:18:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![groo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecd19e/32.png) [@groo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groo)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2004, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507/1 "2004-10-10T20:18:33Z")
Though a couple of these are poll-like, I think the overall subject could benefit from some hard facts. But if any Mod wants to move it, feel free to do so. 1. Why does the inside of my nose sometimes have a strong odor (of snot, I assume)? And how do I get rid of it? 2. Does anyone else have this? 3. How does one perform a sort of industrial-strength cleaning of one’s sinuses? 3a) I’ve tried to schedule deep-core-drilling attempts just after showers, thinking that perhaps 15 minutes of breathing water vapor would soften up the little boogers. Anyone else have some good tips? 3b) And speaking of tips, I just did this for the first time (in 42 years): Ever try to get some stubborn gristle out of your nose and just start poking around with a Q-Tip? And is that dangerous? 1. What about boogers that start out fairly hard, but after you just start extracting, they reveal a more liquidy substructure? I notice that when I get one like this, if I carefully coax it out, it eventually pulls out a good-sized glob from seemingly great depths. It also seems to yield very open air passages. I kind of think that something about this may lend a clue as to how to best keep my nose fresh and airy. Or am I barking up the wrong tree? ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2004, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507/2 "2004-10-10T20:27:12Z")
ick. You have a sinus infection. Go to the doctor. Nasal mucus has little or no odor. you’re smelling the bacteria brewing. Q-tips® aren’t a good idea. Mucus membranes aren’t meant to withstand a lot of abuse. The large, soft hard mass, is another sign of something not-so-right happening in there. The doctor may put you on antibiotics, or just give you stuff to irrigate with. Go! before your head caves in! (That part was kidding) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2004, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507/3 "2004-10-10T23:21:07Z")
We can do without the politics in General Questions – especially since your question is in no way relates to politics. I’ve change the title. **DrMatrix** GQ Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507/4 "2004-10-11T07:38:16Z")
Yep, that’s a doctor thing. Antibiotics are your friend. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507/5 "2004-10-11T18:14:49Z")
> [@DrMatrix](#): > > We can do without the politics in General Questions – especially since your question is in no way relates to politics. I’ve change the title. > > **DrMatrix** GQ Moderator For curiosity’s sake, what was the original title? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507/6 "2004-10-11T19:04:15Z")
See the bold text at the top of the OP. Original title. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507/7 "2004-10-11T19:07:46Z")
> [@Ruby](#): > > Yep, that’s a doctor thing. Antibiotics are your friend. They might be. Then again they might not be. Not all nasty colorful snot is caused by bacterial infections, and the use of said drugs when they’re not needed leads to problems. QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507/8 "2004-10-11T19:11:30Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > They might be. Then again they might not be. Not all nasty colorful snot is caused by bacterial infections, and the use of said drugs when they’re not needed leads to problems. > > QtM, MD So wouldn’t it be for a doctor to decide if said drugs are needed? The OP won’t know until they find a doctor willing to look up his/her nose 🙂 (and most of the doctors I know are quite willing!) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2004, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507/9 "2004-10-11T19:51:33Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > So wouldn’t it be for a doctor to decide if said drugs are needed? The OP won’t know until they find a doctor willing to look up his/her nose 🙂 (and most of the doctors I know are quite willing!) Exactly my point. I’m just trying to fight the idea that people should expect antibiotics if they have colorful snot. They should expect an appropriate evaluation and treatment plan, which may include antibiotics but may not. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507/10 "2004-10-12T00:38:32Z")
Sorry, Doc. I was under the (mis)understanding that all consistently colored snot was infection and required antibiotics. Sorry about that! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2004, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-snot-changed-title/268507/11 "2004-10-12T00:44:17Z")
In answer to #4 - What you have there is an example of what we call “Faire Boogers.” The mucus gets dry and hard when exposed to lots of air, but still remains attached to the Primal Mass. Careful excavation is needed if one is to extract the Mother Lode with a single pick. Oh, what a wonderful feeling when it slides out! :eek: