A stuffy nose can be caused by mucus or inflamed blood vessels in your sinuses, and it often develops when you’re sick. Here are some tips and home remedies to help clear a stuffy nose:
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer: A cool mist humidifier can help open up your nasal passages and relieve congestion.
- Take a shower or breathe in steam: Breathing in steam from a pot of warm water or taking a hot shower can help moisten your nasal passages and relieve congestion.
- Drink lots of fluids: Staying well-hydrated can help ease nasal congestion by thinning out mucus in your nasal passages, making it easier to move out of your sinuses.
- Use a nasal saline spray: Saline solution can help keep your nasal passages moist and prevent them from drying out.
- Try a neti pot or nasal irrigator: Rinsing the inside of your nose with a nasal irrigation kit or neti pot can help soften, loosen, and wash out mucus, instantly relieving your stuffy head.
- Apply a warm compress: Placing a warm towel over your nose and forehead can provide comfort from any pain and help relieve the inflammation in the nostrils.
- Try a natural decongestant: Some natural decongestants like eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil can help relieve nasal congestion.
If your congestion persists for more than two weeks, it is best to consult a doctor.
