No one likes having a stuffy nose. While not a serious condition, being unable to breathe air in through your nostrils can be downright annoying. When you have a stuffy nose, you have to breathe through your mouth, which can cause dry, chapped lips. And, for some people, having a stuffy nose can make it very difficult to sleep at night.
What causes a stuffy nose? Cold and flu are the first things that probably come to mind. But a stuffy nose can be caused by many other things, like allergies, physical exertion, stress, and air pollution. Some medications, like diuretics, birth control pills, and even nasal decongestants (when used for more than two or three days) can also cause a stuffy nose.
Steam will unclog a stuffy nose.
One way to relieve a stuffy nose is with steam. Steam from a shower, a kettle, or even a cup of chicken soup can help. But, if you really want to get rid of your stuffy nose, try this method.
Boil a pot of water, and remove the pot from the stove. Drape a towel over your head, and then lean over the pot. The towel will form a tent over your head and the pot that will concentrate the steam. This should unclog your stuffy nose in about 10-15 minutes. But don’t lean your face too close to the hot water or you might risk scalding your skin. If things feel too hot under the towel, let the water cool off for a minute or two.
Soothe your stuffy nose with aromatherapy.
You can use essential oils to help relieve a stuffy nose. When using the steam method above, you can add two or three drops of eucalyptus oil to the water. Adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a humidifier, vaporizer, or diffuser will also help your stuffy nose.
What you drink can affect your stuffy nose.
Drinking fluids like water, tea, or juice will thin mucus, which will help alleviate your stuffy nose. But avoid beverages that contain caffeine, because they will only make your stuffy nose worse.
Try breathing strips.
A great alternative to decongestants which can actually make your stuffy nose worse are breathing strips. Placing one of these adhesive strips across the bridge of your nose will open up your nasal passages. Breathing strips are especially good for nighttime use.
Try a nasal saline spray or rinse.
Nasal saline sprays can help you breathe easier by moistening the nasal membranes. If you don’t have nasal saline spray, mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda and ¼ teaspoon of table salt with eight ounces of water. Put some of this mixture into a nose dropper or atomizer, and squirt into each nostril. You can use this solution as often as necessary to provide relief.
When should you see a doctor for your stuffy nose?
A stuffy nose usually isn’t serious. However, you should see a doctor if:
• The condition lasts for more than three weeks.
• You are experiencing sinus pain.
• Your stuffy nose is accompanied by a fever.
• Nasal discharge is thick, green or yellow in color, or contains blood.
Children under three months old who are suffering from congestion should also be seen by a doctor.
The next time you have a stuffy nose, these home remedies will help you breathe easy again.
