A stuffed nose and congestion can be irritating and can affect your daily life. The stuffiness and congestion usually occur when blood vessels in the sinuses get inflamed. A sinus infection, the flu, colds and allergies can cause inflammation of blood vessels. Congestion can also be caused by pollutants in the air.
Aside from feeling miserable, a stuffed nose can make it hard for you to breathe and can keep you up all night.
Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do at home to get some relief. Even better, unlike over-the-counter decongestants, these natural at-home remedies won’t cause sleepiness or feeling jittery.
So, don’t head to the drugstore yet, here are remedies for stuff nose and congestion you can try at home.
Causes of Stuff Nose and Congestion
Many people think that a stuffed nose and congestion is caused by the excess buildup of mucus that is blocking the nasal passages. However, according to research, the stuffiness and congestion is actually caused by inflamed blood vessels in the sinuses.
The cold, flu, COVID-19, allergies and a sinus infection can cause the inflammation. Excessive amounts of pollutants in the air can lead to allergies which in turn can make you congested.
If you don’t like taking decongestants, we have some home remedies you can try at home.
Natural Remedies for Congestion Relief
There are natural remedies for congestion and stuffed nose that you can try at home. The good thing about these remedies is that we usually have the materials needed in our bathrooms and kitchens so there is no need to go to the drugstore or grocery store.
Here are some things you can do at home to alleviate your stuffy nose and congestion.
Use a humidifier
Turn on your humidifier if you have one at home. It will increase the humidity that eliminates dry air that is irritating and inflaming your nasal passages. The increase in humidity will also prevent the skin in your nose from drying out and causing irritation and allergies.
Take a shower
If you don’t have a humidifier, a shower works just as well. The steam and water vapor from the shower will help lubricate your nasal passages and reduce inflammation in the sinus area. This will make it easier for you to breathe so you can start feeling better.
Aside from loosening your airways, taking a shower will also promote nasal drainage and help loosen up your mucus so that they thin down and are easier to expel.
Saline spray
People who suffer from asthma usually have a nebuliser machine at home. However, you can also use this to get relief from stuffy nose and congestion.
You can get a Nebuliser Machine Australia from most drugstores. It is a good idea to have one at home if you have asthma triggered by allergies or if you frequently suffer from respiratory infections.
Doctors usually give prescriptions for people with asthma or respiratory infection to use with a nebuliser machine. However, you can use a saline spray for your stuffed nose and congestion. The saline will help moisturize your dry passages and help alleviate the stuffy feeling.
Stay hydrated
Drink lots of water too. Drinking water will help keep your mucus thin and flowing. This will make it easier for the mucus to pass between your nasal passages. Staying hydrated will also prevent stagnant mucus from building up inside your nasal and respiratory passages.
The amount of water to drink varies with the climate. Example, for people living in Australia during the summer, it is best to consume at least 2.5 to 3 liters of water daily to stay cool and hydrated.
Drain your sinuses
People who suffer from sinusitis and allergies usually have a neti pot at home. A neti pot helps to relieve congestion and stuffed nose by moistening the nasal passages that have been exposed to dry air.
To use your neti pot, dissolve the salt packets as instructed. Next proceed to your sink and tilt your head sideways and then place the spout of the pot on your upper nostril. Open your mouth to breathe and pour the solution into your nose and let it drain through the lower nostril. Repeat the process on the other side.
Use a warm compress
This is another useful tip for congestion and stuffiness. If you don’t want to take a shower or don’t have a nebuliser or neti pot, you can simply wet a face or hand towel with warm water and place it on your face.
First blow your nose, then place a warm towel on top of your face and breathe for about 15 minutes. Refresh the warm towel as needed. Using a warm compress on your face lets you breathe moist air into your nasal passages keeping them lubricated and ease your congestion.
Steam inhalation
Another thing you can do to ease stuffy nose and congestion at home with a nebulizer is to use it for steam inhalation. This is a good idea if you don’t have saline solution or medication for asthma.
Just like the warm compress, breathing in steam produced by the nebulizer will moisten your clogged nasal passages and help you breathe better. Just load the nebulizer with water instead of saline or medicine and breathe in and out normally for 10-15 minutes and you’re good to go.
