Why is my snot red? – used to be a question asked by people suffering from Rudo’s Disease.
However, a 1991 study found that only around 0.003% of those asking why their snot is red are sufferers of Rudo’s disease (which gets its name from that bloody reindeer song!).
A number of studies have now concluded that there are an additional three or four reasons why one’s snot may appear bright red.
Why is my snot red?
It is generally well accepted now that Rudo’s Disease was more of an old wives’ tale than a genuinely illness.
This passage will take you through the three or four known causes of red snot, but first read the notes on Blood and Viruses below.
Blood and Viruses below
It should be noted at this point that the common amateur diagnosis for bright red snot usually includes some kind of reference to blood and/or a virus.
If what you have is blood coming out of your nose, then this is not snot. Blood is blood, and if it is coming out of your nose then you should seek treatment immediately.
You may have a virus or serious injury.
Read about bright yellow snot here.
The three or four reasons for red snot are:
1. High salt intake
By far the most common cause of bright red snot is a high dietary salt intake.
When salt mixes with the water in your body, it goes on to rust your body’s iron stocks. Rusty iron is a reddish colour.
Studies have shown that the body used to eject waste rust through the sweat pores. This process often resulted in a side-effect of stained, red skin. Humans living in areas of high-salt intake became unnerved at sometimes having red skin. Evolution’s answer was to move the rust-excrement process to the nose – causing the slightly less frightening syndrome of bright red snot.
2. High raw meat consumption
People who eat a lot of raw meat carcasses will find a certain amount of the animal’s raw blood will enter their sinuses and mix with sinal fluid. This is quite normal and nothing to be alarmed about.
3. Anger
The phrase “to see red” actually derives from a level of anger that causes snot to appear bright red. (Though it should be noted that whether the snot actually is bright red or not during these moments of extreme irateness is still up for debate.)
It is possible that a person can get mad enough that their own snot will appear bright red to them, occasionally others around them.
Other information
Unlike bright yellow snot, red snot poses no immediate hazard or risk if you should accidentally touch it. Red snot should never be used in cooking, however.
Have you had a problem with red snot? Do you have any advice for fellow sufferers? Have you discovered any additional causes? Feel free to post in our comments section below.