Generality
The boogers are the product of drying the nasal secretions which, initially fluid, coagulate inside the cavities of the nose.
Usually, these dry mucus crusts are small and their consistency can vary from filamentous to friable, depending on the degree of hydration.
The membranes that cover the inside of the nose, in fact, constantly produce a viscous mucus, which maintains the right degree of humidity of the mucous membranes and favors the removal of dust and pathogens from the inhaled air.
The boars are composed mainly of glycosylated proteins and salts dissolved in water, but they can also contain antiseptic enzymes and antibodies (immunoglobulins), which can represent a first barrier against infections.
Dry mucus crusts are found predominantly when one is suffering from an affection of the upper respiratory tract (cold), or when one lives in a dry climate and comes into contact with irritating external agents.
Caccole: What are they?
"Caccole" is the term commonly used to indicate the more or less dehydrated nasal mucus, which comes out from the nostrils.
Due to the aeration of the nasal duct and the humidity of the environment, in fact, the mucus loses most of the water it is made of, favoring the transition of the viscous secretion into the crumbly and / or filamentous crust notes.
Why are they formed?
The boogers are produced by the membranes that line the inside of the nose and the frontal and maxillary sinuses. More precisely, they derive from the drying of the nasal mucus secreted by appropriate glands, called muciparous glands.
The function of the nasal mucus is twofold:
- Thanks to continuous production, with its flow it covers and keeps the airway epithelial membranes humidified and lubricated ;
- The viscous nature of the mucus allows to block and capture the foreign bodies inspired by the air, obstructing its entry into the lungs and expelling them through the mucociliary clearance, coughing and sneezing. The caccole represent, therefore, the result of the defense mechanism of the respiratory tract.
The production of mucus is continuous: normally, most of this secretion is made to flow - due to the action of the lashes of the nasal cavity - up to the pharynx, where it can be ingested and destroyed by the acids of the stomach.
However, not all the mucus remains so fluid as to be easily moved by the eyelashes: if it loses its share of water before completing its normal flow it remains in the nose, dries up, adheres to the nostrils and causes the formation of the boogers .
- When, due to cold or irritation, the correct cycle of mucus disposal is hindered, the bacteria or viruses present in the upper respiratory tract can give rise to infections. The mucus affected by the attack and the consequent inflammatory response turns into phlegm and accumulates in the nasal cavities, obstructing them. Symptoms such as " stuffy nose " or fat cough occur.
If the mucus is present in the nasal vestibule in greater quantities than the norm and is close to the opening of the nostrils, the intrinsic humidity of this material decreases due to the action of the external air and is more likely to coagulate, giving rise to the caccole .
What are they for?
In addition to keeping the nasal cavity moist, mucus has the primary function of protecting the respiratory tract. Being very viscous, in fact, this secretion traps external agents (including irritants, allergens and pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses), preventing them from being inhaled. Furthermore, in the mucus, various types of dust can be conglomerated in the breathed air.
The caccole result, therefore, from the dehydration of the mucus and their main function consists in freeing the nasal cavities from the pollutants .
What are they composed of?
The boogers are made up of the secretions produced by the nasal mucosa, which grow together inside the nostrils.
Their composition is relatively simple: it is a viscous water-based gel, in which glycoproteins, salts and lipids are present. During an affection of the respiratory tract, immunoglobulins (antibodies) and antiseptic enzymes (such as lysozyme, capable of damaging bacterial cells) can also be found inside the boars, able to represent a first barrier against infections.
The glycoproteins contained in the dry nasal mucus are complex proteins that include carbohydrates within their structure; the structural organization of these allows the formation of very solid molecular bonds, able to trap particles. For this reason, the boogers have their peculiar viscosity.
Possible causes
An excess of boogers or a change in their appearance (consistency and color) may indicate the presence of various conditions.
An increased production of boogers is found more frequently during upper respiratory tract infection (eg colds, flu etc.), allergic reactions or contact with irritants (dust, smoke, atmospheric dust or pollen). Other possible causes are the very dry climate, the low humidity environment, air pollution, excessive heating and air conditioning.
The formation of dry nasal mucus can also be found in cases of sinusitis, vasomotor rhinitis and turbinate problems.
Dry mucus crusts can also be caused by systemic diseases, such as Sjögren's syndrome, and by some drugs, in particular as a side effect of the abuse of nasal decongestants and antihistamines.
The caccole can also be found in the presence of atrophy of the mucus-secreting structures (ozena or chronic atrophic rhinitis). This condition manifests itself above all with advancing age and is characterized by an abnormal patency of the nasal cavities, with the formation of annoying crusts, reduction in the sense of smell and bleeding (epistaxis).
What is rhinotillexomania?
To put one's fingers in the nose is a gesture that could be defined as "normal hygiene": since childhood, this practice to cleanse the nostrils eliminates the annoying problem of the boogers, without having to go looking for a handkerchief.However, when the occasional habit becomes excessive in terms of frequency, it could signal the presence of an obsessive compulsive disorder, called rhinotillexomania . In this context, the continuous insertion of the fingers in the nostrils can cause damage to the inner walls of the nose; the subject can even cause wounds inside the nasal cavities, which cause pain and blood loss.
Associated symptoms
In some cases, dry mucus crusts can hinder breathing and cause itching. Furthermore, irritation of the nose due to their presence can cause pain and epistaxis.
Color variation of Caccole
Depending on the case, the boogers can be colored:
- Dark gray : when staying or working in particularly polluted environments;
- Greenish-yellow : in the course of infections, due to the increased concentration of secretions and white blood cells, such as the cold and sinusitis;
- Reddish-brown : when they contain small amounts of blood, because the blood vessels in the mucous membranes of the nostrils are superficial and can break easily, especially during inflammation or when you forcefully blow your nose.
Rating
The correct diagnostic approach for disorders associated with dry mucus crusts in the nose involves the evaluation of otorhinolaryngology .
The next pathological history must determine the nature of the secretion (eg watery, mucous, purulent or blood) and whether the formation of caccole is chronic or recurrent . In the latter case, the possible correlation with the place where the patient resides, the season in which it occurs and the exposure to potential triggering agents must be investigated.
During the visit, the doctor must look for symptoms suggestive of possible causes, including fever and facial pain ( sinusitis ); watery eyes, itchy eyes ( allergies ) and sore throat, general malaise, fever and cough ( viral infection of upper respiratory tract ).
The physical examination focuses on the nose and the areas above the paranasal sinuses. The face is inspected for localized redness on the frontal and maxillary sinuses; these areas are also palpated in search of tenderness.
The nasal mucosa is inspected by detecting its color (eg red or pale), the degree of swelling and the nature of the secretion.
Generally, no other investigations are indicated, as symptoms and physical examination are often sufficient to suggest a diagnosis, unless sinusitis is suspected in an immunocompromised or diabetic subject; in the latter case, patients must undergo a computed tomography (CT) scan.
As for the treatment, the interventions are directed to the individual conditions.
What to do or avoid
There are several solutions that can be used to alleviate the irritations associated with the presence of the boogers in the nose:
- When symptoms such as nasal congestion or rhinorrhea occur, it is recommended to thin the nasal mucus for easier expulsion. For this purpose, it is possible to use fumigations with boiling water and bicarbonate, or to irrigate the nasal cavities . This last practice allows the removal of the mucus, hindering the colonization by pathogenic agents, therefore it helps to prevent otitis media, rhinitis, sinusitis and pharyngitis, especially in children.
Nasal washing can also be performed with other methods, which include a micronized shower and saline-based sprays (isotonic or hypertonic), which can be purchased in pharmacies.
- Drinking plenty of water during the day maintains proper hydration and helps make the nasal secretions less dense.
- Cigarette smoke (also passive) irritates the respiratory mucosa and blocks its defense mechanisms, especially the mucociliary transport. Therefore, this habit should be avoided.
- In the bedroom, it is advisable to maintain a non-excessive heating, as it can congest the mucous membranes. For the health of the nasal mucosa, if the environment is dry, the use of a humidifier in the room may be useful. The optimal environmental conditions for the well-being of the upper airways are around 18-20 ° C and with humidity around 45-55%.
- Local decongestants should be used sparingly: if used too frequently, these drugs can lead to various consequences, including atrophy of the nasal mucosa.
- In the event of persistence of nasal obstruction, especially when a localized pain is perceived on one side or if blood leaks appear, it is advisable to undergo the specialized otorhinolaryngological evaluation . Certain conditions associated with the presence of the boogers may, in fact, require a targeted pharmacological treatment .
