What is Your Snot Saying?

Anna's Snot Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shEPwQPQG4I

This week Reactions takes a look at the science behind your snot. That's right--there's a lot of chemistry going on in your phlegm. But despite being a little icky, phlegm gets a bad rap. This germ-fighting goo contains cells and chemical compounds that help us power through a cold. You can also think of mucus as a traffic light for your health - what turns up in our used tissues can be a useful clue about the inner workings of our immune systems.

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Nylon Flares - Alec Makinson
LA Funk - cragkeys

Producer:
Elaine Seward

Writer:
Judith Lavelle

Executive Producer:
Adam Dylewski

Scientific consultants:
Jennifer Reams, D.O.
Darcy Gentleman, Ph.D.
Kyle Nackers

Sources:
Harvard Health Blog:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/dont-judge-your-mucus-by-its-color-201602089129

CDC - Runny Nose Q&A:
https://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/materials-references/print-materials/parents-young-children/runny-nose-faqs.html

CDC - Common Cold and Runny Nose:
https://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/colds.html

MedlinePlus - Causes and Home Treatment of stuffy or runny nose:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003049.htm

Clinical Infectious Diseases Journal; Editor's Comment on Viruses and Cold Symptoms:
http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/26/4/847.short

Histamines and antihistamines - review of Desloratadine:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3500039/

Psuedophedrine vs. ephedrine (1978):
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1429447/pdf/brjclinpharm00288-0035.pdf

MCBI myleperoxidase:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/4353

WebMD article:
tp://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/the-truth-about-mucus#2

Cleveland Clinic infographic:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/11/what-the-color-of-your-snot-really-means-infographic/

Gizmodo article:
http://io9.gizmodo.com/boogers-myths-and-facts-1456033776

Ever wonder why dogs sniff each others' butts? Or how Adderall works? Or whether it's OK to pee in the pool? We've got you covered: Reactions a web series about the chemistry that surrounds you every day.

Reactions is produced by the American Chemical Society.

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