Can a sinus infection cause black mucus?

Black nasal mucus may be a sign of a serious fungal infection. While not common, people with compromised immune systems may be susceptible to this type of illness. There are four types of fungal infections of the sinuses: Mycetoma fungal sinusitis.

What does dark brown mucus mean?

While brown mucus is sometimes caused by dried blood or dirt in the nasal passage, it can also be an indicator of bronchitis, which happens when the tubes that carry air to your lungs become inflamed. If you cough up brown mucus or phlegm, contact your physician immediately.

What infections cause black phlegm?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes a person’s phlegm to turn dark. Other symptoms include chest pain, a persistent cough, and coughing up blood. People with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible to TB.

What does dark gray mucus mean?

Charcoal or Gray Phlegm We tend to see charcoal or sooty looking phlegm in people who work in coal mines and factories or are really heavy smokers.

Do smokers cough up black phlegm?

Smoking or secondhand smoke Smoke can also cause the phlegm in the lungs to thicken. In addition, smoke can damage the hair-like cilia, which help clear the lungs of phlegm. As a result, a person will cough up more dark-colored phlegm.

Is black phlegm a sign of lung cancer?

Though black phlegm is not always a cause for concern, it could be a sign of lung cancer or exposure to a pollutant. Figuring out the cause will help the doctor recommend the best course of treatment. Keep reading for more information about what can cause black mucus or phlegm and ways to treat it.

What does it mean when you cough up black phlegm?

Lung cancer is diagnosed when lung cancer cells are discovered in the lungs, lymph nodes, or other organs. Coughing up blood and having black phlegm are signs that a thorough lung exam is needed to either rule out or confirm lung cancer. What causes mucus of other colors?

How do you know if a cough is due to lung cancer?

Since lung cancer is most treatable in the early stages of the disease, finding cancer as early as possible is extremely important. Unfortunately, there is no way to know conclusively if a cough is due to lung cancer based on symptoms alone.

What does it mean when your mucus is clear and black?

Clear or light-colored mucus often does not indicate a serious health problem, but when a person has black mucus or phlegm, they should see a doctor as soon as possible. Though black phlegm is not always a cause for concern, it could be a sign of lung cancer or exposure to a pollutant.