Regardless of the reason for your stuffed-up nose, there are easy ways to relieve it. Here are some things you can do now to feel and breathe better.
Use a humidifier
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, reviewsTrusted Source 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.Take a shower
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.
Stay hydrated
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.
Use a saline spray
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.
Drain your sinuses
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)Trusted Source 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.
