How to Clear a Stuffy Nose

Although potentially life threatening to new-borns, nasal congestion is usually just discomforting to most adults. Whether the condition is a symptom of the flu, a cold, or an allergy, the inflamed blood vessels that results in swelling of tissue and therefor blocking of the nose can be remedied, at least in part, by home techniques and preparations.

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Steps

1- Blow your nose! Do not sniff!

2- Inhalation of saline water can greatly reduce the need for chemical medication. A nasal spray may help clear your sinuses, similarly you could inhale the vapour of a hot saline solution (adding eucalyptus, menthol, or tea-tree oil can also help). Boiling vinegar and carefully inhaling the fumes is a more radical approach to this.

3- If using AC or a humidifier, moist air will help prevent irritation of your sinuses, but should you already be suffering from a blocked nose and have to breathe through your mouth in order to sleep, damper air will reduce the amount of times that you have to wake during the night to quench a dry throat. Also, lying on your side whilst sleeping will help clear the equivalent side’s nasal passageway.

4- Exercising with a cold will encourage blood flow and adjust the pressure in your nose.

5- Similar to equalising pressure when diving, you can squeeze the tip of your nose and gently try and breathe out of it. This can temporarily reduce swelling. Be careful however, as exerting too much pressure can damage your ear drums.

6- Peppery or spicy foods are natural decongestants. Also remain well hydrated to encourage your blood vessels to dilate to mitigate swelling.

7- Prevent allergic reactions by regularly cleaning your house- dusting and hoovering etc, and washing your pets.

8- Localised heat treatment. Pointing a warm hair dryer at your face whilst breathing through your nose can help relax the swelling. Similarly, a warm, wet towel on over your face may achieve the same results.

9- Try over the counter medications. Some have greater effect than others although be sure to check possible side effects of all before using them.

10- Consider consulting with your doctor. Should your suffering persist, visit your doctor as there may be other underlying reasons for your condition that may need prescription medicine or surgical intervention.

Tips

Do not be too aggressive with blowing you nose.

Take care in inhaling steam. Should the steam be too hot, you may burn the inside of your nose.