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drainage of watery yellow fluid from nose

Friday while I was bent over blow-drying my hair, bright yellow fluid suddenly started dripping out of my nose.  It felt like a nose bleed and that's what I thought it was until I observed the color.  I had never seen any fluid that color come out of my body before.  The drainage was unilateral--left side only.  I made an appointment with my doctor but cannot see her until Tuesday.  Investigating a bit onlne I saw something that seemed similar--CSF leakages.  But I have had no brain injuries, only a recent cold.  My question is--is this probably what I think it is?  Do I need to be very concerned?  Should I insist on seeing the doctor sooner or go to emergency?  What should I do in the meantime?  It hasn't happened again since then.  I'm really feeling a bit scared.
Thanks so much
Heidi
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Avatar universal
I know you have a ton of responses to comb the here. But you should go with your intuition. If you're really concerned it may be a CSF leak, you should get checked out sooner. You could go to urgent care and see what they recommend based on their evaluation.

Given that you haven't had a traumatic injury AND you had a recent cold, it's unlikely to be a CSF leak. But there have been very rare cases of seemingly spontaneous CSF leaks.

The "halo test" is extremely reliable in my profession (emergency medicine), but it typically only works if there's blood in the fluid. You could try allowing some of the fluid to drip on to an absorbent, white material. If a lighter ring develops around the center, it may be CSF and you should head to the ER. But, remember that the results are unreliable if there is no blood.

Finally, a CSF leak will drip rather continuously. Meaning that it would definitely drip every time you bend forward. Try bending right now, if it doesn't drip it was probably just snot.

Snot can absolutely be thin and watery. It can also drip in a way that feels like a nose bleed. I always have watery nasal discharge when the polen counts are high. It's always clear. But you may have some residual yellow tinged mucous from your cold.

If it does wind up being a sinus infection, keep in mind that most of these infections do not require antibiotics. So don't be surprised if your doc doesn't offer antibiotics.

Sorry that this response is kinda all over the place and likely riddled with typos! But I hope you get good news soon. In the off chance it is a CSF leak, you should take it easy until that's ruled out. You can even sleep/lay down with your head elevated.
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I forgot to add the disclaimer!
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor. The medical education I have given fits within the legal scope of practice in my state. This is not a substitute for medical evaluation. If you feel that you are experiencing a medical emergency, call an ambulance (911 in the US) and/or be seen in an emergency room.
Avatar universal
Did you go swimming the day before?
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These were all super helpful! I was working last night and my urine was this neon yellow color. I look up in the mirror and there is this neon yellow fluid coming out of my nose... and until I found this page, the Internet was not much of a help. Hoping it’s just a sinus infection. Not sure if I should schedule a doctors appt.
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Regarding your urine, did you happen to ingest a larger quantity of B vitamins prior to this? B vitamin supplements commonly cause bright yellow urine. So multivitamins, energy drinks, and even cereal can cause the urine you're describing. I'm not sure about your nose drainage, your unusual urine could be related or it could just be the B vitamins.
Avatar universal
Sounds like the craziest thing. Ive had this sinus thing for about 3 days now, I endlessly keep blowing out yellow **** outta my nose.  Today i was eating Grilled chicken and dipping it into crushed garlic. My friend made me laugh and the garlic went up nose from inside my mouth and then just plain liquid started flowing outta my nose. After about 1 minute of trying to clear out my nose my sinus was literally gone! Im serious crush up some garlic but make sure its like a sauce and sniff it up. Garlic is known to kill bacteria and infections. Helped me!
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Avatar universal
Same thing here ... I was working night shift ... Bent down to pick some stuff and this yellow stuff like olive oil start dripping out of my right nostril ... I panicked and went to nearest hospital emergency ... My x- ray was normal and so was my cbc .. Doctors told me it was sinus infection ... Your experinces helped me calm down untill my mri appointment is ready .. Thanks alot !!
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Avatar universal
Same here just bent down to pick up some clothes and all of a sudden amber yellowish fluid leaked from my nose onto my hand... I then check to see if it was really me leaning from nose.. never ever had I experienced such thing no traumas or head injuries but I have been getting pain on my left back side of the head... scared. I will be making a Dr’s appointment ASAP
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