Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesManaging SymptomsWhen to Call a ProviderWhat Other Colors Mean
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Managing Symptoms
When to Call a Provider
What Other Colors Mean
Coughing up white mucus can mean you have congestion with a respiratory infection such as bronchitis, or it can be a symptom of long-term health issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).The color of yourmucuscan suggest what is causing it, but not always.
Your healthcare provider might ask you about the color of your mucus, but they usually can’t diagnose you based on mucus color alone. They will also want to know about the consistency (thickness) and other characteristics of the mucus that you arecoughing up.
The function of mucus is to lubricate and protect delicate structures. It can trap small particles (such as germs and dust), making it easier for them to be safely removed from the body.
There are a number of potential causes of white mucus.
Bronchitis
If you have bronchitis, you may have other symptoms such as:
Bronchitis usually resolves on its own with rest and good hydration.Try using a humidifier to help relieve your symptoms.
Viral Respiratory Infection
The development of a cough with white mucus could indicate that you are coming down with a cold or other viral respiratory infection, including the potentially serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
This type of infection usually affects the upper respiratory tract, including your lungs, throat, and sinuses. Influenza andCOVID-19are examples of viruses that cause this type of infection.Other symptoms may include:
Things you can do to help your body fight a viral infection that is causing a cough include getting plenty of rest, nourishing your body, and increasing your fluid intake.
Using a cool-mist humidifier and saline nasal sprays can help thin the mucus and make it easier to clear. Lozenges (cough drops) can also help relieve symptoms.
Is Cough Medicine Effective?Over-the-counter cough medicines are widely used but there’s still a lack of evidence that they are effective, and they may come with side effects.Cough and cold medicines should never be given to children ages four or under. Do not give cough or cold medicines to children ages four to six unless their healthcare provider tells you to.
Is Cough Medicine Effective?
Over-the-counter cough medicines are widely used but there’s still a lack of evidence that they are effective, and they may come with side effects.Cough and cold medicines should never be given to children ages four or under. Do not give cough or cold medicines to children ages four to six unless their healthcare provider tells you to.
Asthma
When you haveasthma, your body may produce excess mucus, and swollen, inflamed tissues can slow its ability to flow through the respiratory passageways.
Other symptoms of asthma include:
Asthma can’t be cured, but it can be managed with medication and the right treatment plan. Avoiding your triggers can also help you keep your asthma under control.
Can Allergies Cause White Phlegm?Allergies can cause white phlegm (mucus) or phlegm that has no color. Allergy treatment can include taking an antihistamine, using a nasal steroid, or consulting with an allergy specialist.
Can Allergies Cause White Phlegm?
Allergies can cause white phlegm (mucus) or phlegm that has no color. Allergy treatment can include taking an antihistamine, using a nasal steroid, or consulting with an allergy specialist.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
White mucus can also appear foamy or frothy if there are large amounts of air bubbles in it. A small amount of foamy white mucus is not usually a concern; however, coughing up a larger amount of foamy mucus can indicate a serious illness such asCOPD.
Other symptoms of COPD include:
COPD can be managed with short- or long-acting bronchodilator inhalers. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a steroid inhaler if first-line treatments aren’t working.Certain oral medications can also help.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may cough up foamy, white mucus. This usually occurs along with other symptoms such as:
Losing weight and changing your diet can also offer relief. Severe cases of GERD might require surgical intervention.
Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary edemacauses fluid to build up in the lungs. This can make you cough up white or pink foamy mucus. Other symptoms of pulmonary edema include:
Pulmonary edema is considered a medical emergency, treated in the hospital with oxygen and medication.If you have any of these symptoms, seek emergency care right away.
Heart Problems
Sometimes, coughing can be a sign of heart failure. If you have a cardiac cough, you may cough up white mucus or mucus that is pink or blood-tinged.This type of cough doesn’t resolve with time.
Dehydration
Thick, white mucus can occur from dehydration.Increasing your fluid intake and using a cool-mist humidifier next to your bed at night can help thin out your mucus and make it easier to clear.
Depending on the underlying cause of your white mucus, you may be able to self-treat the excess mucus with home remedies. Otherwise, an OTC or prescription medication may be useful for your symptoms.
Home Remedies
These at-home treatments may help torelieve coughingand congestion:
Medications
If home remedies are not enough to relieve congestion and clear your sinuses, consider OTC medications. Your healthcare provider also may prescribe medication:
Some OTC congestion medications, like Sudafed Triple Action and Tylenol Sinus Severe Congestion, are formulated with a combination of guaifenesin, acetaminophen, pseudoephedrine, or other active ingredients. Make sure to read drug labels carefully and never take more than one medication containing acetaminophen or another active ingredient at the same time.
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
Most conditions that cause a cough with white mucus will go away with rest and self-care. If you have certain symptoms or your symptoms persist, however, call your healthcare provider. For example:
If you cannot tell how much mucus you are coughing up, try spitting into a cup that you can measure and report this information to your healthcare provider.
You might be able to have your healthcare provider assess your mucus production at an office visit. However, in some cases, they might want you to go to the emergency room for more urgent care.
When to Call 911If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency care right away:You are having trouble breathingYou have blue or white colored lips or nails.You’ve lost consciousness.You feel confused.
When to Call 911
If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency care right away:You are having trouble breathingYou have blue or white colored lips or nails.You’ve lost consciousness.You feel confused.
If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency care right away:
What Other Colors of Mucus Mean
The color and consistency of mucus can give your healthcare provider clues as to what is causing your cough. Besides white mucus, you may also have mucus that is:
White mucus may suggest certain conditions, but the color of your mucus alone is not a good diagnostic tool. Your healthcare provider may ask about color, but they may also take a sample of your mucus for a gram stain. This is a test that can help identify bacteria in your sputum.
Summary
If you are concerned about your coughing or mucus production, call your healthcare provider. While occasional white mucus is likely not a reason to worry, coughing up a lot of white mucus, mucus that has blood in it, or coughing up mucus when you also have other symptoms can be signs of a more serious condition.
A Word From VerywellWhile symptomatic treatment of a cough can lessen discomfort, it’s extremely important to understand the root cause if it is prolonged. Viral/bacterial infections, chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions, allergies, and GERD may all present similarly with a cough, but treatment differs greatly. It’s imperative to have a medical evaluation to hasten recovery and prevent future episodes.—ALEXIS APPELSTEIN, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
While symptomatic treatment of a cough can lessen discomfort, it’s extremely important to understand the root cause if it is prolonged. Viral/bacterial infections, chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions, allergies, and GERD may all present similarly with a cough, but treatment differs greatly. It’s imperative to have a medical evaluation to hasten recovery and prevent future episodes.—ALEXIS APPELSTEIN, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
While symptomatic treatment of a cough can lessen discomfort, it’s extremely important to understand the root cause if it is prolonged. Viral/bacterial infections, chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions, allergies, and GERD may all present similarly with a cough, but treatment differs greatly. It’s imperative to have a medical evaluation to hasten recovery and prevent future episodes.
—ALEXIS APPELSTEIN, DO, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
32 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Lung Association.Understanding Mucus in Your Lungs.
Hill DB, Button B, Rubinstein M, Boucher RC.Physiology and pathophysiology of human airway mucus.Physiol Rev. 2022 Oct 1;102(4):1757-1836. doi:10.1152/physrev.00004.2021
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Bronchitis.
Kinkade S, Long NA.Acute bronchitis.Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(7):560-565.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About RSV.
Diagnosis and treatment protocol for COVID‐19 patients (tentative 10th version).Health Care Sci. 2023;2(1):10-24. doi:10.1002/hcs2.36
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of COVID-19.
Lam SHF, Homme J, Avarello J, Heins A, Pauze D, Mace S, Dietrich A, Stoner M, Chumpitazi CE, Saidinejad M.Use of antitussive medications in acute cough in young children.J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2021 Jun 18;2(3):e12467. doi:10.1002/emp2.12467
Nationwide Children’s.Cough and cold medicines.
Gillissen A, Paparoupa M.Inflammation and infections in asthma.Clin Respir J. 2015;9(3):257-69. doi 10.1111/crj.12135
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma symptoms.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.What does the color of phlegm mean?.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.COPD.
Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.Pocket guide to COPD diagnosis, management, and prevention.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD
Nici L, Mammen MJ, Charbek E, et al.Pharmacologic management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an official American Thoracic Society clinical practice guideline.Am J Respir Criticla Care Med. 2020;201(9). doi:10.1164/rccm.202003-0625ST
Budhiraja R, Siddiqi TA, Quan SF.Sleep disorders in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: etiology, impact, and management.J Clin Sleep Med. 2015;11(3):259-270. doi:10.5664/jcsm.4540
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for GER and GERD.
Purvey M, Allen G.Managing acute pulmonary oedema.Aust Prescr.2017 Apr;40(2):59–63. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2017.013
American Heart Association.Heart failure signs and symptoms.
Heidenreich P, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al.2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline for the management of heart failure.J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022;79(17):e263–e421. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2021.12.012
Beck AM, Seemer J, Knudsen AW, Munk T.Narrative review of low-intake dehydration in older adults.Nutrients. 2021 Sep 9;13(9):3142. doi:10.3390/nu13093142
Tiong V, Hassandarvish P, Bakar SA, et al.The effectiveness of various gargle formulations and salt water against SARS-CoV-2.Sci Rep.2021;11:20502. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-99866-w
Amini N, Yazdannik A, Safarabadi M, Harorani M, Rezae K.Effect of nebulized eucalyptus on arterial blood gases and physiologic indexes of mechanical ventilated patients: a randomized clinical trial.J Caring Sci.2022 Oct;11(4):217–223. doi:10.34172/jcs.2022.20
Albrecht H, Dicpinigaitis P, Guenin E.Role of guaifenesin in the management of chronic bronchitis and upper respiratory infections.Multidiscp Respir Med. 2017 Dec;12(1):31. doi:10.1186/s40248-017-0113-4
National Health Service (UK).Cough.
University of Florida.Diagnosing your cough: when to seek urgent care.
Ittrich H, Bockhorn M, Klose H, Simon M.The diagnosis and treatment of hemoptysis.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2017;114(21):371-381. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2017.0371
Earwood JS, Thompson TD.Hemoptysis: evaluation and management.Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(4):243-249,
Naum R, Speed B.Hemoptysis in pediatric patients.Cureus. 2019 Mar;11(3):e4305. doi:10.7759/cureus.4305
Kurahara Y, Shimatani Y.Melanoptysis,QJM Int J Med.2023;115(7):540-541. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcad042
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
