Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM
Having a stuffy nose is common, and there are many self-care remedies that you can try from home. Many people are familiar with getting enough fluids, using steam, and flushing nasal passages with saline. But you can also try some lesser-known strategies for nasal congestion.
This article discusses home remedies for a stuffy nose, treatments for kids, and when to see a healthcare provider.
Hydration is one of the key instructions healthcare providers often give to people with a stuffy nose, cold, or other respiratory illness. Staying hydrated has the following benefits:
Reach for water, tea, juice, or an electrolyte drink like Gatorade or Pedialyte.
Related: 11 Popular Natural Remedies for the Common Cold
Inhaling steam is a long-standing remedy for relieving sinus pressure. While there is a lack of evidence proving its effectiveness, it remains a prominent recommendation.
It can be soothing to use steam for nasal congestion. Although there is a risk of steam burns, some people choose to lean over a steaming bowl of water with a towel draped over their heads and the bowl, breathing in the vapor.
A safer alternative—and one that should only be used with children under adult supervision—is sitting in a steamy bathroom, away from the running water. Run a hot shower and sit on the floor in the bathroom for 15 or 20 minutes.
Saline nasal irrigation is a common low-risk treatment for nasal congestion. You can flush your sinuses with the following:
Nasal irrigation thins mucus, clears the airways and reduces swelling in the sinuses. Regardless of the type of device you use, they all generally work the same. To keep your device hygienic, do not share it with anyone, and wash it thoroughly between uses.
Related: Breathing Treatments for Asthma: Which Works Best?
Nose strips and head elevation are other natural methods of helping you breathe easier in bed. Elevating your head may help your nose drain while you sleep, making breathing easier.
Nasal strips usually treat snoring, but some people use them for a stuffy nose since they widen the nasal passages. Research shows nasal strips can alleviate sleep-related symptoms by lowering nasal resistance and reducing nighttime awakenings.
Related: How to Stop a Runny Nose
Sleeping with a humidifier could ease your stuffy nose symptoms. Humidifiers can help with colds and other respiratory illnesses by increasing moisture in the air. Some studies have found that humidification can reduce the spread of the flu.
Humidifiers come in cool mist or hot vapor options. Cool mist is safer and preferred in most situations, especially with young children since it prevents the risk of steam burns.
Related: The Difference Between a Vaporizer and a Humidifier
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators) is a bioelectronic sinus device that uses electronic impulses. One type of TENS machine can help clear sinus congestion. It is recommended for moderate to severe sinus congestion in adults but not in children.
You should not use an electrical nerve stimulator in the following situations:
Speak with a healthcare provider before using a bioelectronic sinus device to ensure it is the right treatment for you.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can be just the thing to unblock your sinuses at home. Some OTC options for congestion are:
While Sudafed is available OTC, it is kept in a locked case because it contains pseudoephedrine, an ingredient some people misuse to manufacture methamphetamines.
Risks associated with pseudoephedrine include cardiovascular and neurological adverse events and what's known as rebound congestion, in which nasal congestion gets worse after getting better. Use decongestants judiciously, with the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Nasal steroid sprays and antihistamines may be good options for those experiencing a stuffy nose due to allergies.
When it comes to a child with a stuffy nose, options include:
Depending on your child's age, you can remind them to blow their nose or help them do it. You may need to suction a baby's nose with a bulb syringe.
Related: 3 Home Remedies for a Baby's Cough and Chest Congestion
If your stuffy nose does not improve, you may have a sinus infection. While you don't always require antibiotics for a sinus infection, a healthcare provider can help determine if it's the right course of action.
Experts recommend seeing a healthcare provider in the following situations:
Related: Sinus Infection vs. Cold: How to Tell the Difference
Many treatments are available for a stuffy nose. At-home remedies include drinking plenty of fluids, breathing in steam, flushing out the nasal passages, trying nose strips, and sleeping with a humidifier.
OTC medications, such as decongestants, nasal steroid sprays, and antihistamines, can help relieve a stuffy nose. Many people find at-home methods relieve symptoms until their cold or infection passes.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
2024-04-30T13:16:06Z dg43tfdfdgfd