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What Causes Black Mucus And Phlegm?
© Provided by Verywell Health utah778 / Getty Images Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD Black mucus is a dark-colored substance (also called "phlegm") expelled from your nose and mouth. It is rare to have black mucus, and it may signal a serious underlying condition, such as tuberculosis or cancer. Your mucus can also become dark if you've been exposed to extreme air pollution. If you have developed black mucus, it's best to contact a healthcare provider.
This article will discuss more about what causes black mucus and how you can treat these conditions.
© Provided by Verywell Health utah778 / Getty Images Related:What Is Mucus?
Black mucus is typically the symptom of an overarching condition that usually comes with other symptoms like a cough, fever, shortness of breath, or other respiratory problems.
Black Mucus CausesBlack mucus may also be called melanoptysis and is commonly found in coal workers who inhale black dust all day. Certain conditions are also associated with black mucus.
Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (Anthracosis)A type of pneumonia known as black lung is commonly found in coal miners. When inhaled, coal dust enters the tissues of the lungs. Over time, these deposits form masses and scar tissue. The black mucus expelled with coughing results from infections and destruction caused by this process.
TuberculosisTuberculosis is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs. It can cause permanent lung damage and appear with symptoms like a cough that produces blood or mucus. Other symptoms include chest pain and difficulty breathing.
CancerWhen cancer occurs in the lungs, it creates masses and destroys healthy tissue. Bronchopulmonary melanoma is a type of cancer that affects the lungs and is known for producing dark or black mucus.
NecrosisTissue damaged or destroyed by disease, infection or lack of oxygen turns dark or black as it enters a state of necrosis (tissue death). Coughing can bring up bits of this necrotic (dead) tissue, giving your mucus a dark or stained appearance.
Fungal InfectionsMany types of infections cause mucus production, but some are known more than others for producing darker-colored sputum. One of these is Exophiala dermatitidis, a black yeast infection that is common in people with cystic fibrosis.
Another is Aspergillus niger, a type of fungal infection that can be caused by inhaling black mold spores. People with a weakened immune system are at a higher risk for developing allergic reactions and lung and other organ infections from inhaling aspergillus mold spores.
Finally, mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection that causes black mucus and can lead to dark or black lesions on other body areas.
Substance UseUsing substances like cigarettes can cause black mucus from smoke particles and other debris that collects in the lung tissues. Coughing up black mucus is also strongly associated with chronic cocaine-induced pulmonary injury.
PollutionPeople who live in areas with dense air pollution or who work in certain industries may cough up dark black mucus. Like coal miners, people who live in highly polluted areas breathe in particles that can collect in the lung tissue and appear in mucus after a cough.
Breathing in smoke from a large fire can also make your mucus appear darker due to the particles in the smoke.
How Is Black Mucus Treated?You may require antibiotics or antifungal medications if bacteria or fungi has caused your black mucus. Other causes of black mucus, like coal workers' pneumoconiosis (anthracosis), are not as easily treated.
Black mucus caused by severe disease or lung necrosis can result in tissue damage that cannot be reversed. Treatment instead focuses on oxygen supplementation and symptom relief.
Examples of treatments for severe lung disease include:
Related:An Overview of Obstructive vs. Restrictive Lung Diseases
Complications of Black MucusExposure to pollution, irritants, or mold spores that you could inhale increases your risk for diseases that produce black mucus.
Some complications of diseases like black lung include:
Related:Lung Cancer Complications
Related:What to Expect From a Spirometry Test
When to See a Healthcare ProviderAnytime you develop a cough that doesn't resolve within a few weeks, it's a good idea to see a healthcare provider to rule out serious diseases or infections. Mucus production is typical in many disorders, but black mucus can signal more severe illness. Seek medical care if your mucus appears black.
If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or a bluish tone to your lips or skin, seek medical attention immediately.
Learn More:What Is a Pulmonologist?
SummaryMucus is a mixture of fluids and bits of tissues expelled with a cough or when you blow your nose. There are many colors of mucus, but black mucus often signals severe disease or infection. Talk to your healthcare provider about your medical history and your risk factors for conditions like fungal infections, tuberculosis, or even black lung disease.
Here's what other mucus colors reveal about your health:
Did The Withdrawal Of Free School Milk By Margaret Thatcher In The Early 70s Have An Adverse Effect On Child Health?
SPECULATIVE SCIENCEDid the withdrawal of free school milk by Margaret Thatcher in the early 70s have an adverse effect on child health?
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Silicosis Crisis: West Bengal Govt's Inaction Sparks Protests And Demands For Justice
"A man knows he will die. While working for a living, he is slowly accepting death. Many of us do not know what silicosis is. It should be understood first that silicosis is a disease more dangerous than cancer, and awareness should be created about it. We all have to come together and create awareness about this," said Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] MP Vikas Ranjan Bhattacharya at a press conference organised by the Coordination Committee against Silicosis and Other Occupational Diseases (CCSOD) at the Kolkata Press Club on Friday.
Dr Fuad Halim informed People's Reporter: "Silicosis is going to become increasingly devastating in the days ahead. The system for identifying occupational diseases at the state level is extremely weak. In the majority of cases, a correct diagnosis cannot be established, leading to inadequate treatment. Those grappling with silicosis are essentially teetering on the edge of death. We demand that the government assume responsibility for silicosis patients."
The organisers claim that despite silicosis being a significant issue in the state at present, the government is not very concerned. A number of districts of West Bengal are home to thousands of silicosis patients; yet, they receive neither adequate medical care nor any form of rehabilitation. The prevalence of occupational disorders among working people is a major concern, particularly in a nation like ours, where over 90% of the workforce is compelled to work in the unorganised sector without receiving even the bare minimum in terms of labour rights.
The state government was forced to make a rehabilitation policy for silicosis patients in December 2021 as a result of persistent protests. This policy will make it possible for potential workers to receive an official diagnosis, compensation if their diagnosis is confirmed, a monthly pension, coverage for all medical costs, and other benefits.
The policy was declared on February 25, 2022. Approximately 10 months later, the application form for the affected workers was released, but up to this date, the workers remain unaware of the proper submission location for this form.
Protesting against the state government's inaction and inhumane attitude, the Silicosis Strugglers' Committee has organised a day-long sit-in protest at Esplanade Y channel. The protest will take place on May 24, starting with a march from Moulali. The demands include bringing all illegal quarry crushers under labour laws and ensuring compliance with labour protection measures. Additionally, they demand a comprehensive survey and publication of a white paper on the number of potential sufferers of occupational diseases in all districts of the state. The protest is called by the Coordination Committee against Silicosis and Other Occupational Diseases (CCSOD), with participation from various organizations such as SASSC, West Bengal Vigyan Manch, CITU, NTUI, IFTU, AWBSRU, AICCTU, TUCI, AITUC, UTUC, TUCC, INTUC, Shramajivi Swasthya Udyog, People's Relief Committee, AHSD, and HRA.
In West Bengal, a long-standing movement against silicosis has emerged in North and South 24 Parganas, spearheaded by infected migrant workers. The residents of Minakhan, Deganga, Sandeshkhali, Basirhat, Canning, and Bhangar have been persistently demanding justice for over five years. Various mass organisations have supported them and approached the National Human Rights Commission. Lawyers have fought for the rights of these individuals in the High Court, and successive marches, demonstrations, and deputations have targeted the administrative offices in the two 24 Parganas districts. To escalate this fight, the 'Coordination Committee against Silicosis and Other Occupational Diseases' has been established, comprising approximately 10 central labour organisations, four health organisations, and other mass organisations.
In the five decades after independence, there was no discussion about this issue. However, over the last 25 years, the situation has changed significantly. A number of people have become aware of the problem, leading to the emergence of protest movements and legal battles. In many cases, voluntary organisations and NGOs have taken on a more active role compared to labour organizations. In recent years, the governments of Haryana and Rajasthan have introduced rehabilitation schemes for silicosis sufferers, and non-compliant industries are facing mounting pressure.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of government initiative, specific information regarding the number of individuals at risk in the workforce is unavailable. However, according to a 2011 report presented by the National Human Rights Commission to Parliament, over 10 million people are threatened by silicosis solely within the organised and construction industries. The actual number may be significantly higher if all the unorganised sectors are taken into account.
In West Bengal, a thriving industry has been operating across vast rocky areas in the western region for decades. Surprisingly, the majority of this industry operates outside the realm of the law, leaving questions of regulation, legislation, and worker protection unanswered. Countless migrant workers from all over the state have unknowingly contracted silicosis and lost their lives.
Lung disease, known as pneumoconiosis, is the most common and dangerous type of occupational disease. It occurs when workers inhale various types of dust present in the workplace, which accumulates in the lungs and leads to early-onset lung paralysis, often resulting in death. Different names are given to this disease based on the type of dust involved. For example, silicosis refers to the inhalation of silica dust (from stones, sand, cement, road dust, and brick dust), anthracosis is caused by coal or carbon dust, and Byssinosis is associated with jute, cotton, or wool fibres. Other examples include asbestosis, caused by asbestos exposure, and so on.
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