"Doctor's Verdict: Is Swallowing Mucus Harmful?"

Swallowing mucus is not harmful, but it can be uncomfortable when you have a lot of it running down your throat. Mucus is a lubricating substance that lines the surface of your lungs, mouth, sinuses, stomach, and intestines, and it helps trap and remove bacteria, viruses, or other particles that could make you sick. When sick or reacting to allergies, the body secretes more mucus as a means of increasing that barrier and clearing the pathogens, which often drips down the back of the throat and is swallowed. There are remedies to ease excessive mucus production, such as using a nasal saline spray or rinse, putting a warm, moist towel on your face, running a humidifier, paying attention to your diet, and trying over-the-counter medication.