# The amazing mucus rope (TMI, natch) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 9, 2006, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069 "2006-09-09T15:17:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/1 "2006-09-09T15:17:26Z")
I had a bad, really snotty cold for most of last week. It’s pretty much gone now, but my nose is still all stuffed up. Or, should I say, _was_. I was fed up with sniffling and trying to get air through my gunged up passages. So I retired to the bathroom and gave my nose a really good blow. At first, nothing, apart from my eardrums threatening to burst. Then I felt something start to dislodge and rattle in the left nostril. One more blow and - it’s clear. But the right nostril is still packed solid. So I run some hot water into the sink, stick a towel over my head and inhale a bit of steam. I can feel something start to loosening. So I try again. Hnnnnnnnnnooorrrrk. Hmm. HHHHNNNNOOOOORRRRKKKK. Something’s coming. **KKKHHHHHNNNNNNAAAAUUUUUGGGHHHHHKKK**. :dubious: 😛 At this point the tissue has been filled with a dark greenish yellow mucus explosion, with a string – nay, a rope, a good quarter-inch thick, still stretching back to my nose. At which I point I think, “Hmm, that looks pretty solid. I wonder…” So I grasp the Amazing Mucus Rope between thumb and forefinger. It feels a bit like pinching a rubber band. I pull, gently. As it extrudes from my nostril, I grip with the other hand and reach up to pull some more out. WTF? Am I about to pull an eyeball out through my nose? I repeat this process three, four, five times, hand over hand. My hand are covered with icky goop but it feels so good to be yanking this stuff out. I can actually feel it pulling through my sinuses. Then finally, with a hugely satisfying _splut_ the end of the AMR plops into my hand, topped off with a more solid piece of mucus that is presumably moulded to the shape of some distant part of the back of my skull. And wow - my nose has never felt so clear! It’s like I have brand new sinuses. (Or at least was, as it’s already starting to clog up again ☹ ) Just thought I’d share that with you. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/2 "2006-09-09T15:20:32Z")
That must have felt **fantastic**! Thanks for sharing. I got a bit of a thrill just reading it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/3 "2006-09-09T15:24:04Z")
::hork:: ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/4 "2006-09-09T16:38:50Z")
What did you do with this mighty cable of phlegm? Did it go down the sink, in the wastebasket, or in the toilet? I think it’s a nasal tapeworm of some variety. Part of me wants to see it. Part of me wants to lick it. What? ---
**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:** [September 9, 2006, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/5 "2006-09-09T16:44:29Z")
I’ve had a somewhat similar experiance with “Faire boogers.” Has a crusty one at the egde of a nostril. Discretely turned away, hooked with with a fingernail, and felt this same long rope start to exit the sinus. A marvelously different feeling. You can feel every millimeter exit. Lucky you! ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/6 "2006-09-09T16:47:04Z")
I’m jealous. I want a nose goblin of my very own. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/7 "2006-09-09T16:49:14Z")
Ooh. **gonzomax** says you should have taken a picture of it and put it up as art in Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![Dottygumdrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Dottygumdrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dottygumdrop)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/8 "2006-09-09T16:54:16Z")
Definitely need a picture! On a similar note, a friend of mine told me once when her son was about 4 months old, he had a really bad cold and couldn’t breathe properly from the congestion. She was so upset to see him in pain/discomfort, she actually leant down, covered his nose and mouth with her mouth and proceeded to suck all the snot out of him! Eeeeeewwwwww! But it worked - he got better in a real hurry after that - probably scared stupid that if he didn’t, his mum would suck his brains out! ---
**Author:** ![PetW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@PetW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PetW)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/9 "2006-09-09T17:47:13Z")
[QUOTE=Dottygumdrop] Definitely need a picture! On a similar note, a friend of mine told me once when her son was about 4 months old, he had a really bad cold and couldn’t breathe properly from the congestion. She was so upset to see him in pain/discomfort, she actually leant down, covered his nose and mouth with her mouth and proceeded to suck all the snot out of him! Eeeeeewwwwww! But it worked - he got better in a real hurry after that - probably scared stupid that if he didn’t, his mum would suck his brains out! [/QUOTE] That’s infinitely more disgusting than the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/10 "2006-09-09T17:49:13Z")
[QUOTE=Dottygumdrop] Definitely need a picture! On a similar note, a friend of mine told me once when her son was about 4 months old, he had a really bad cold and couldn’t breathe properly from the congestion. She was so upset to see him in pain/discomfort, she actually leant down, covered his nose and mouth with her mouth and proceeded to suck all the snot out of him! Eeeeeewwwwww! But it worked - he got better in a real hurry after that - probably scared stupid that if he didn’t, his mum would suck his brains out! [/QUOTE] And that, my friends, is what we call “love”. I could see myself doing that for someone I loved. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/11 "2006-09-09T17:50:20Z")
By the way, that’s also very close to “taking one for the team”, too. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/12 "2006-09-09T19:27:05Z")
[QUOTE=Colophon] Hmm. HHHHNNNNOOOOORRRRKKKK. Something’s coming. **KKKHHHHHNNNNNNAAAAUUUUUGGGHHHHHKKK**. [/QUOTE] Next time try NR or ExLax for faster relief. Qwick fill you neti-pot. ---
**Author:** ![Arien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arien)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/13 "2006-09-09T23:29:10Z")
[QUOTE=Dottygumdrop] Definitely need a picture! On a similar note, a friend of mine told me once when her son was about 4 months old, he had a really bad cold and couldn’t breathe properly from the congestion. She was so upset to see him in pain/discomfort, she actually leant down, covered his nose and mouth with her mouth and proceeded to suck all the snot out of him! Eeeeeewwwwww! But it worked - he got better in a real hurry after that - probably scared stupid that if he didn’t, his mum would suck his brains out! [/QUOTE] Oh gross. Too bad she didn’t have one of those bulb things used to clear the noses of newborns. I suppose you might be able to use a turkey baster for a similar effect. Or would that be too big for a four month old’s nose? I don’t know much about babies. Or turkey basters, for that matter. I dare some intrepid parent to find out. 🙂 Also thanks for sharing, Colophon. I’m sorry to hear that you’re already getting clogged up. Where does all that snot come from anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/14 "2006-09-09T23:34:43Z")
I had that happen to me but through what I call a “suck back”. I can’t really describe what a suck back is, but you guys all know, right. So, the mucus rope ended up in my mouth, of course. I didn’t find it gross or anything, but you might. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/15 "2006-09-09T23:37:55Z")
[QUOTE=Arien] Oh gross. Too bad she didn’t have one of those bulb things used to clear the noses of newborns. I suppose you might be able to use a turkey baster for a similar effect. Or would that be too big for a four month old’s nose? I don’t know much about babies. Or turkey basters, for that matter. I dare some intrepid parent to find out. 🙂 Also thanks for sharing, Colophon. I’m sorry to hear that you’re already getting clogged up. Where does all that snot come from anyway? [/QUOTE] Way, way too big. The Snot-Sucker (if it’s not the official name, it should be) has a tiny hole - maybe 1/8 of an inch - for tiny noses. I don’t think I could get a turkey baster up my nose. Although, now that you mention it, it’s worth a try… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![hawksgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ed655f/32.png) [@hawksgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawksgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2006, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/16 "2006-09-09T23:43:33Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] Way, way too big. The Snot-Sucker (if it’s not the official name, it should be) has a tiny hole - maybe 1/8 of an inch - for tiny noses. I don’t think I could get a turkey baster up my nose. Although, now that you mention it, it’s worth a try… 😃 [/QUOTE] That should make for an interesting Thanksgiving this year… ---
**Author:** ![Arien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arien)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2006, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/17 "2006-09-10T00:17:14Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] Way, way too big. The Snot-Sucker (if it’s not the official name, it should be) has a tiny hole - maybe 1/8 of an inch - for tiny noses. [/quote] An eye-dropper then? Might not have enough suction power, though. > [@WhyNot](#): > > I don’t think I could get a turkey baster up my nose. Although, now that you mention it, it’s worth a try… > 😃 Yeah, why not, right? 😉 However, if you accidentally give yourself a lobotomy, it’s not my fault! ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2006, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/18 "2006-09-10T00:22:13Z")
Okay - I read this thread about 20 minutes ago, and moved on. Just now I stopped myself from blowing my nose because the thought flashed through my brain that perhaps I can grow my own AMR. ---
**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2006, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/19 "2006-09-10T00:29:46Z")
I sneezed in my high school math class and exuded a 3’ snot rope, hitting the guy in front of me. 'Twas impressive and I was well-remembered for it! ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2006, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069/20 "2006-09-10T00:49:48Z")
I had an AMR once, when I was 13 or 14. I leaned over the kitchen sink for a good while pulling the damn thing out. Mine wasn’t all different colors though, just sorta whitish. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amazing-mucus-rope-tmi-natch/372069.md?page=2)