The mucus mainly functions as a defense component for the body. It bars bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens from getting into contact with delicate surfaces of the throat and other chambers, thereby preventing infections. Mucus itself can also serve as a good indicator for problems inside the body.
While appearance of black specks in mucus does not necessarily mean that your health is in danger, it is still wise to find out what is causing it just to be sure. Normally, mucus should look clear and moderately viscous. Substances that come from within or outside the body however can lead to change both in color and thickness.
If a person is sick for instance, they may notice that their mucus has a green or yellowish hue. This is due to presence of white blood cells that the body pumps into mucus to ward off additional infections. In the same way, if you stay in a dusty place, throat mucus, also known as phlegm or snot, will pick up the dust you breathe in and change color. Below are factors that may bring black specks in mucus:
Black pigment in food
Certain foods such as chocolate, cola drinks, black tea, and others have black pigments that may stick to the throat and stay there for a while. If you take a lot of these, the black stuff may stay in your throat for a couple of hours after feeding. However, such effects are mostly short term.
Bleeding in the throat
The throat may start bleeding either from an infection, excessive coughing, from injuries caused by a strong impact on the neck (such as during a fight), and from swallowing something that is unfriendly to the throat.
When blood dries up, it turns into black; if your throat has experienced any of injuries recently, this might provide explanation for the appearance of black specks in your mucus. In addition, tissues from wounds in the throat may also pull away and get suspended in mucus. If you have pain or swallowing difficulties, seek treatment.
Entry through nasolacrimal duct
The nasolacrimal duct is a small channel that connects the outside of the eyes to the nasal cavity. Its function is to provide drainage for tears, which are constantly producedby the tear glands, and drain the liquid into the throat.
It is possible for other small particles to be suspended into tears. Makeup products that are applied around the eyes for instance can do this. If you apply black eyeliners often, they might have travelled with tears through the nasolacrimal duct and accumulated in the throat. Try to stop their usage for a few days and see if the black specs reduce.
Smoking
Long term smoking can cause appearance of black stuff in your mucus. In this case, the black speck is tar. Majority of smokers who report this problem often notice a difference when they reduce or quit puffing.
Interestingly, marijuana smokers tend to report this problem more often than those who smoke cigarette. This is consistent with a study by American lung Association, which found that bhang smokers consume more tar than tobacco smokers.
If take these drugs, try holding back for some time and see if there are changes. For some people, it may take months to notice a reduction in the amount of specks. Also, remember that you don’t have to be an active smoker to have this problem; staying at a place where smoking is done frequently is enough to get tar lodged into your throat.
Soot
Do you work or live in an area with a lot of vehicles? If you run a garage for instance, there are chances that vehicle exhaust pipes are feeding you with soot. The same applies to those who keep fossil fuel generators inside the house or close to the windows while they run. Try avoiding such situations and see if there’s any change.
Black mold
Black mold can get into the throat and multiply there. This is mostly common in individuals whose immune systems are compromised. When pick out a black mold speck and rub it in your finger, you will notice that it disintegrates like powder.
Though majority of molds found in homes are harmless, they may cause discomforts such as itching and sneezing.
There is however a type of black mold known as stachybotrys chartarum that is quite dangerous. When it invades the throat or any other part of the body, it produces toxins that lead to death of tissues. These tissues may appear in your phlegm alongside the molds. Conditions such as cancer and bacterial infection may also cause black specks in mucus.
Whenever you expectorate or cough up black mucus, only a medical examination can confirm what the problem is. Therefore, as you look out for the triggers mentioned above, don’t forget to see a doctor, especially if the symptoms last more than a week.
