10 tips for getting rid of a stuffy nose

• A warm cup of peppermint tea is a very good way to get peppermint in your nasal passages.
• Inhaling steam with peppermint oil in it is another effective way.
• Rubbing a drop or two of peppermint oil between your palms and inhaling it while you are on the go is another way to use it.
• Several drops of peppermint oil in 1 tsp of coconut oil applied to your chest and throat before going to bed can help keep you breathing well all night.

How to Clear a Stuffy Nose

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A stuffy nose can be caused by mucus or inflamed blood vessels in your sinuses. It often develops when you’re sick. Other than taking medications, several home remedies can help unclog your nose.

A stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, can be frustrating and often affect your day-to-day life.

Many people think a stuffy nose is the result of too much mucus in the nasal passages. However, a clogged nose is usually the result of inflamed blood vessels in the sinuses. A cold, the flu, allergies, or a sinus infection can all inflame these blood vessels.

Regardless of the reason for your stuffed-up nose, there are easy ways to relieve it.

Preventable medical errors kill about 22,000 patients a year, according to research from the Yale School of Medicine. That’s much less than a previously reported number of 250,000 deaths a year where medical error is to blame.

A humidifier can be a quick and easy way to reduce sinus pain and help relieve nasal congestion.

The machine converts water to moisture that slowly fills the air, increasing the humidity in a room.

Breathing in this moist air can soothe irritated tissues and swollen blood vessels in your nose and sinuses. Some people claim that heated, humidified air can also help congested mucus drain better. However, reviews have shown that there’s no current evidence to support this.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of nasal congestion, you may still benefit from placing humidifiers around your house or office.

Have you ever had a stuffy nose and found that you could breathe so much better after a hot shower? There may be a good reason for that.

Steam from a shower may help to thin out the mucus in your nose and reduce inflammation. Taking a hot shower can help your breathing return to normal, at least for a little while.

You can get the same effect by breathing in steam from hot water in a sink. Here’s how:

• Turn on the hot water in your bathroom sink.
• Once the temperature is right, place a towel over your head and put your head over the sink.
• Allow the steam to build, and take in deep breaths.
• Be careful not to burn your face on the hot water or steam.

It’s important to drink plenty of fluids if you suspect you have a cold or are experiencing flu symptoms.

Maintaining optimum hydration levels can help thin the mucus in your nasal passages, pushing the fluids out of your nose and decreasing the pressure in your sinuses. Less pressure means less inflammation and irritation.

If you’re also experiencing a sore throat, warm liquids like tea may be able to help ease the discomfort in your throat, too.

Take hydration one step further with saline, a saltwater solution. Using a nasal saline spray can increase the moisture in your nostrils.

Some saline sprays also include decongestant medication. Talk with your doctor before you begin using saline sprays with decongestants.

It’s not the most glamorous task, but you can clean out your clogged nostrils with a neti pot. A neti pot is a container designed to flush mucus and fluids out of your nasal passages.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using distilled or sterile water instead of tap water.

Here’s how to use a neti pot:

• Stand with your head over a sink.
• Place the spout of the neti pot in one nostril.
• Tilt the neti pot until water enters your nasal passage.
• Once the water flows into your nostril, it will come out through your other nostril and empty into the sink.
• Do this for about 1 minute, and then switch sides.

A warm compress may help alleviate some symptoms of nasal congestion by opening the nasal passages from the outside.

To make a warm compress, first, soak a towel in warm water. Next, squeeze the water out of the towel, then fold it and place it over your nose and forehead.

The warmth can provide comfort from any pain and help relieve the inflammation in the nostrils. Repeat this as often as necessary.

A congested nose can be uncomfortable, but some other over-the-counter (OTC) medications may clear out your nasal passages and bring relief.

Make sure to speak with a pharmacist when choosing a decongestant, antihistamine, or allergy medication. The pharmacist can also answer any questions you may have about a particular medication.

Call your doctor if your stuffy nose doesn’t improve after taking medication for more than 3 days, or if you have a fever as well.

Decongestants

A decongestant medication can help reduce swelling and ease pain associated with irritated nasal passages. Many decongestants are available without a doctor’s prescription.

They come in two forms: nasal spray and pill. Common decongestant nasal sprays include oxymetazoline (Afrin) and phenylephrine (Sinex). Common decongestant pills include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Sudogest).

Be cautious when using decongestants. You shouldn’t take a decongestant for more than 3 days without a doctor’s supervision. After 3 days, a nasal decongestant may actually make your congestion and stuffiness worse.

Antihistamines or allergy medication

You may want to take an antihistamine or allergy medication if your nasal congestion results from an allergic reaction. Both types of medications can reduce the swelling in your nasal passages, helping to unclog your sinuses.

Combining drugs containing both an antihistamine and a decongestant can relieve the sinus pressure and swelling caused by allergic reactions.

Follow the instructions for these medications carefully. If you don’t, you may make your condition worse. You should also note that antihistamines might make you drowsy. If you aren’t sure how an antihistamine will affect you, don’t take this medication when you need to be active or productive.

10 tips for getting rid of a stuffy nose

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• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
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Nasal congestion is a common symptom of a cold or an allergy. There are many ways to relieve the discomfort that a stuffy nose can bring.

When the body reacts to an unknown substance — such as dust, an allergen, or a virus — it launches an immune response, and inflammation can arise.

Nasal congestion develops when inflammation affects the blood vessels inside the nose, and the nasal tissues swell. A buildup of mucus may also occur.

This article will look at a range of tips for managing a stuffy nose, from steam inhalation to consuming horseradish. There is limited scientific evidence to confirm that many of these methods work, but some people may find them useful.

Many people with nasal congestion find that inhaling steam helps them feel better. They may use a bowl of plain water, adding chamomile or peppermint oil, or take a warm shower.

People should take care not to use boiling water, however, and they should always place the container on a flat, level surface.

The warmth and moisture can be soothing to the membranes inside the nose, providing temporary relief. There is also a theory that it allows mucus to drain better and that it may help kill the virus. However, science has not confirmed these theories, and there is no evidence to suggest that it improves symptoms.

The results of a 2016 trial suggest that steam did not have an impact on nasal congestion due to recurrent sinusitis. Also, a 2017 review found no evidence to suggest that steam can either benefit or harm a person with a common cold.

Using saline spray may help decrease tissue inflammation in the nose and reduce stuffiness.

The same 2016 trial that looked at the effectiveness of steam inhalation also looked at the impact of nasal irrigation. The authors concluded that nasal irrigation with saline spray appears to have some benefit for people with nasal congestion due to chronic sinusitis.

Saline-only sprays do not contain medication, so they are usually safe to use during pregnancy. Saline sprays are available over the counter and online.

People can use neti pots to flush the sinuses and help relieve dry nasal passages.

People can use these devices to apply salt water or a saline solution. They can help flush out and moisten the nostrils.

However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warn people to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of infection:

• Use only distilled, sterile, or previously boiled and cooled water.
• Follow the instructions for the device with care.
• Ensure that the device is clean and completely dry when not in use.
• Wash and dry the hands before use.
• Ask a doctor before using the device if the person has a weakened immune system or is a child.

Tap water can contain bacteria. It is not suitable for use in a neti pot or any other flushing device.

Applying a warm compress can help relieve the pain of nasal congestion and increase circulation in the sinuses.

To prepare a warm compress:

• Soak a washcloth in water that is warm but not hot.
• Wring out any extra water.
• Apply to the nose or forehead.

Some people like to add sliced fresh ginger to the water before soaking the washcloth.

Eucalyptus oil comes from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree. People have used it for medicinal purposes throughout history.

Certain components in eucalyptus oil may have healing properties and act as:

• an antibacterial agent
• an anti-inflammatory
• a pain reliever
• a sedative

Inhaling eucalyptus in steam or through a diffuser may help reduce nasal symptoms. To use, add a few drops of oil to a bowl of hot water or follow the instructions on a diffuser.

Lozenges and rubs containing eucalyptus or methol may also help clear the nose.

Never apply eucalyptus or other oils directly to the skin, as this may cause a reaction.

Although research suggests that essential oils may have some health benefits, it is important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not monitor or regulate the purity or quality of these. A person should talk with a healthcare professional before using essential oils, and they should be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. A person should always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

Sometimes, an allergic reaction causes a stuffy nose. Allergy medications often contain an antihistamine that blocks this reaction.

A 2015 Cochrane review concluded that antihistamines might help manage the severity of symptoms in adults with a common cold in the first day or two of illness. However, in the following days, they were no more helpful than a placebo.

Various options are available online, but people should ask a healthcare professional for advice before using an antihistamine.

It is essential to read the directions on the package and be aware of side effects. Some allergy medications can cause drowsiness, for example, so people should not drive when using them.

Decongestants cause the small blood vessels in the nose to narrow. This decreases the swelling in the lining of the nose and reduces the feeling of stuffiness.

A 2016 Cochrane review was unable to confirm that a single dose could help relieve the symptoms of a common cold in adults, but multiple doses may have a small benefit.

People should not use decongestants for longer than a week , as long-term use can actually worsen congestion.

Side effects can include increased heart rate, headache, and dry mouth. Nasal spray decongestants may also cause sneezing and burning inside the nose.

Anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, or another condition should ask a doctor if it is safe to use decongestants before doing so. They are not suitable for children under 6 years of age, and they may not be suitable during pregnancy.

Decongestants are available online or over the counter, and some need a prescription. They come as nasal sprays, drops, tablets, or syrup.

Some people find that adding moisture to the air from a cool or warm mist humidifier provides relief. However, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that this works to soothe a common cold.

It is important to keep a humidifier clean and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent bacteria or mold from developing.

How to Unstuff Your Nose with 15 Home Remedies

A stuffy nose is one of the many irritating conditions you put up with every winter and sometimes in the spring. A stuffy nose can cause an interruption in your regular daily activities, but you don’t have to allow it to keep you down. Knowing how to unstuff your nose using ingredients and remedies that you already have in your house is a great asset for keeping up your regular routine.

We will provide you with 15 home remedies to clear out that stuffiness, but keep in mind that they are not all-inclusive cures. Chronic stuffy nose can be an indicator of other conditions for which the treatment and advice of a health care professional may be required.

1. Peppermint

Peppermint isn’t just for candy canes and chewing gum, it is also an effective remedy for how to unstuff your nose. Nerve receptors in the sinuses and nasal cavity are stimulated by the menthol in peppermint and help to open up clogged passageways. Additionally, peppermint helps to thin mucus and help reduce the stuffiness.

What to do:

• A warm cup of peppermint tea is a very good way to get peppermint in your nasal passages.
• Inhaling steam with peppermint oil in it is another effective way.
• Rubbing a drop or two of peppermint oil between your palms and inhaling it while you are on the go is another way to use it.
• Several drops of peppermint oil in 1 tsp of coconut oil applied to your chest and throat before going to bed can help keep you breathing well all night.

2. Humidifier

Using a humidifier in the room where you sleep is another effective remedy when it comes to how to unstuff your nose. Your sinuses prefer a warm, moist environment in the 35 to 45 percent humidity range, so increasing the level of humidity in your home, especially while you sleep can be helpful for keeping your sinuses happy.

What to do:

• Keep an air humidifier operating in your room overnight.
• Add peppermint or eucalyptus oil to the humidifier as an added booster to this remedy.

3. Massage

Another top remedy for how to unstuff your nose is through the use of massage. Massage helps to increase circulation in the sinus cavities as well as thinning out mucus.

What to do:

• Slightly warm some olive or mustard oil.
• Sit in a slightly reclined position.
• Apply the oil to your nose.
• Apply slight pressure between your thumb and forefinger as you massage outward from the bridge of your nose under your eyes and back again.
• Repeat this for about 5 to 7 cycles of 30 seconds each cycle.
• You can repeat this process several times a day.

4. Ginger

Ginger is a common spice in most kitchens and is also very effective for how to unstuff your nose. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger help to shrink swollen nasal cavities while thinning mucus at the same time. Additionally, ginger helps boost immunity to ward off sinus infections.

What to do:

• Add 1 Tbsp of freshly grated and sliced ginger to 2 cups of boiling water.
• Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes.
• Strain the tea from the grated ginger and drink it with a tsp of honey and a squeeze of lemon.
• Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times daily.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

It should come as no surprise that another effective way of how to unstuff your nose involves the use of apple cider vinegar. The high potassium content in ACV helps thin mucus. In addition, ACV is a natural antibiotic which helps to fight off sinus infections.

What to do:

• Mix 1 Tbsp of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in an 8 to 12 oz. glass of warm water.
• Add a little honey if you must and drink it down twice a day.
• You can also use ½ cup of apple cider vinegar in a steam treatment which we will discuss shortly.

6. Steam Inhalation

A very common remedy for how to unstuff your nose is inhaling steam. Whether you add additional ingredients or not, the effect of steam on your sinus cavity helps to clear out the buildup of mucus and the swelling of the tissues bringing relief to your stuffiness.

What to do:

• Boil a pot of water and then remove it from heat.
• Add peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil or apple cider vinegar to the boiled water.
• Place a towel over your head and lean over the rising steam from the pot, using the towel to help direct the steam toward your nostrils.
• Breathe in the steam for several minutes.
• You can repeat this remedy 3 or 4 times a day

What is great about this method is that you can use the steam remedy in a variety of ways. One of the best ways to use steam to your advantage is during a long hot bath. If you soak in a hot bath, the steam from the water will help to unclog your nose a bit. Additionally, if you soak in deep enough, the water will help to calm and relax your muscles that will make you feel better overall. If you are cut for time or do not enjoy taking baths, then taking a hot shower can be just as effective. Standing in the hot shower and taking deep breaths of the stem can help make your sinuses feel a great deal of overall relief.

7. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is another common household spice which is effective when it comes to how to unstuff your nose. Capsaicin, found in cayenne pepper, is a natural decongestant. It loosens mucus and phlegm and makes it easier to get it out of your respiratory system. In addition, it helps to reduce swelling in the nasal cavity.

What to do:

• Simmer ¼ cup lemon juice, ¼ cup raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and ½ tsp of cayenne pepper in a pot.
• Mix in 2 to 3 Tbsp of raw, organic honey, allow the mixture to cool and pour it into a jar.
• Dip out 1 Tbsp of the mixture several times a day and swallow it.

8. Garlic

Also an all-time favorite for how to unstuff your nose is garlic. Garlic acts as both a decongestant and expectorant helping to get rid of mucus in your sinuses. Garlic is anti-inflammatory, so it helps shrink swollen sinus tissue and it is a great immunity booster to boot.

What to do:

• Peel and crush 3 or 4 garlic cloves and add them to 2 cups of boiling water.
• Reduce the heat and allow the water to simmer while covered for about 5 minutes.
• Strain the tea and drink it with a dab of honey.
• As a quick remedy, you can chew a peeled garlic clove in place of a throat lozenge as you go through your day. Just don’t expect to be kissed.

9. Warm Compress

Another effective remedy for how to unstuff your nose is a warm compress. Having a similar action to steam, a warm compress helps to thin mucus, draw circulation to the area, reduce swelling and bring relief to your stuffy sinuses.

What to do:

• Soak a towel or washcloth in a bowl of hot water.
• Wring out the excess water, fold the cloth and place it over your nose and forehead.
• As the towel cools, repeat the process until the water in the bowl is no longer hot.
• Repeat this remedy as often as you like.

10. Nasal Irrigation

Nasal irrigation is one of the most often discussed remedies for how to unstuff your nose. Researchers suggest that nasal irrigation not only works for stuffiness that is an acute symptom, but can also help to relieve chronic sinus congestion as well. Irrigation helps to moisten inflamed tissue and blood vessels as well as thin mucus in order to get it out of your sinus cavity.

What to do:

• Create a solution of 3 tsp of salt and 1 tsp of baking soda in 1 cup of lukewarm distilled water.
• Place in a bulb syringe or make use of a neti-pot to insert the solution through one nostril at a time into your nasal cavity while your head is tilted back.
• Tilt your head forward and allow the solution to drain out.
• Repeat with each nostril 2 or 3 times per session.
• Repeat this remedy a few times per day, especially before bedtime.

A helpful product that you can use in nose irrigation is saline sprays. Saline sprays can work wonders as far as helping to break down the mucus that is clogged up in your sinus cavity. What is great about using a saline spray or saline drops is that you can use it on any infant, child, or adult. You simply need to put a couple of drops in your nose, tilt your head back, and then let the drops fall down through your nasal cavity towards the back of your throat. This method works wonders and provides almost immediate relief. Although it is a temporary solution, it can help to get you back on track if you use it a couple of times throughout the day.

11. Horseradish

Horseradish is a powerful remedy for how to unstuff your nose. Similar to the effects of capsaicin, horseradish helps to reduce inflammation in swollen nasal passages as it thins mucus to make it easier to get rid of.

What to do:

• Add horseradish sauce to your favorite sandwich, make use of it as a vegetable dip with carrots and celery.
• If you can get raw horseradish root, peel and grate it and make a tea similar to the ginger tea we discussed above.

12. Stay Hydrated

Staying well hydrated is also a simple means of how to unstuff your nose. Being well hydrated helps your body to flush out the irritants in your sinuses which are causing the inflammation, production of mucus and stuffiness. I f you find yourself with a stuffy nose during the warmer months in the year, then it is super important that you stay hydrated. Warmer climates can cause your mucus to dry up and results in the ever dreaded crusty buildup that is just as uncomfortable as a runny nose. When you stay hydrated, you ensure that your body has an adequate amount of fluids to help flush the gunk away.

What to do:

• Drinking 8 to 10 twelve ounce glasses of water or freshly extracted juice daily.
• Increase your intake of warm, herbal teas.
• Consume clear-broth soups as an additional means of hydration.
• Avoid sodas, sugary juice and drinks and caffeine as these have a tendency to dehydrate your body.

13. Onions

If you have ever cried while slicing onions, then you are well aware of the power of onions as a means of how to unstuff your nose. The sulfur compounds in onions cause mucus to thin and reduce inflammation in your sinus cavity.

What to do:

• Extract the juice from a medium onion and keep it on hand throughout the day in a covered jar.
• Mix 1 tsp each of the onion juice and honey and take the mixture as a tonic a few times per day.
• Consume onion soups and hot and sour soup.

14. Pineapple

Pineapple is another effective means of how to unstuff your nose. The bromelain in pineapples is highly effective at reducing inflammation in the nasal tissues and getting rid of that feeling of stuffiness.

What to do:

• Extract the juice of a pineapple and drink a 12 oz. glass without added sugar 3 or 4 times per day.
• You can also snack on fresh sliced pineapple.
• Avoid pineapple canned in syrup as you are mostly consuming sugar.

15. Eucalyptus Oil

Though it is last on our list, eucalyptus is certainly not the least effective when it comes down to how to unstuff your nose. Eucalyptus oil has compounds in it which help to stimulate the nerve receptors in your nasal cavities to help reduce swelling and open up those clogged passages.

What to do:

• Eucalyptus oil can be added to several of the treatments listed above: in a humidifier, in a steam treatment, for massage or mixed with coconut oil and applied to your chest and throat before bedtime.

Conclusion