What Causes A Orangy-red Phelgm With History Of Post Nasal Drip?

Posted on Sun, 14 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 14 Feb 2016 Answered on

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi there.
For as long as i can remember ive had a post nasal drip, every morning i wake up and hock a loogie for lack of a better term. I have asthma and many allergies and have been a bit congested like im going to get a cold bit justhavent yet, and my sinus are dry- ive had lots of hard snot and a couple times its been blood streaked. No fever and typically feel pretty well. Last week i had gastritis abd have been dealing with a sensitive stomach- it hurts if i let it get empty and certain food has cause some heart burn (nothing new for me, since having my children). This morning i blew my nose and started to spit out some phlem and it was orangy- red three times and then resolved and i gavent been able to reproduce this. If i cough and spit its clear, if i snort the snot back into my throat and spit its clearish yellow like usual. Is this soemthing to be concerned about? I have some fluticasone nasal spray from a sinus infection in Sept would this help? I feel like what i spit out today was likely related to my dry sinuses but just wanted your professional, medical opinion. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Sandip Kabra (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM.

The orangy-red phlegm is actually due to allergic rhinitis or nasal or throat congestion and the red-orange color of phlegm is due to break of small capillaries inside nasal or throat cavity but there is no need to be concerned much.

Mostly it gets cleared itself by repeated spitting of phlem/mucus through mouth and it is mostly either allergic or viral in nature but nothing is to be concerned here.

You can take over the counter anti-allergic drugs like antihistamines (cetrizine or levocetrizine) to get some relief from allergic symptoms.

Take decongestants like phyenylephrine if you feel congestive symptoms in nose or throat.

Steroid nasal spray like fluticasone will also be helpful but do NOT take it more than two times in a day.

Nebulisation twice daily with saline or steam inhalation 2 to 3 times a day would be best to relieve from phlegm from throat gradually.

It may take 5 to 7 days to subside from this phlegm or mucus completely with this symptomatic treatment.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have more questions.

Regards,

Dr.Sandip Kabra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar