How to clear a blocked nose

It’s the season of the all-too-familiar colds and flus, with many blocked and runny noses, sniffles and coughs to contend with. Nasal congestion is a common symptom of winter illnesses and while it usually clears up in a few days, it can cause a lot of discomfort and annoyance.

You may find yourself sniffing and blowing your nose often with nasal congestion, or being unable to sleep if it is more severe. This can make it hard to get adequate rest, leaving you tired and finding it hard to concentrate, so finding relief is important.

Blocked or stuffy noses happen when the tissues and blood vessels inside the nose become inflamed and swollen.

Other symptoms that usually accompany nasal congestion include:

• Sneezing

• Headache

• Itchy or irritated nose

• Reduced sense of smell

• Crust inside the nose

What causes nasal congestion?

According to Nuffield Health, the main causes of a blocked nose include:

Infection

The viruses that cause a cold or flu attack the lining of the nose and throat, causing inflammation.

Allergies

Allergic rhinitis, which can be triggered by pollen, dust, or some animals, can make the nose lining swell up and result in cold-like symptoms.

Sinusitis

A sinus infection, known as sinusitis, can cause a blocked nose, as well as other symptoms including a fever, yellow or green mucus, facial pain, a headache, and reduced sense of smell.

How do I relieve a blocked nose

You can use home remedies to clear a blocked nose. However, if the symptom persists and causes disruption in your day to day life, it’s important to see a doctor to get treatment.

These home remedies may help relieve a stuffy nose:

Breathing in steam

Steam can help clear your nose and sinuses. Some people find that having a hot, steamy shower can really help. You can also lean over a bowl of boiled water, place a towel over your head to trap the steam, and inhale the steam for about 10 to 15 minutes. This helps loosen mucus and reduce the blocked feeling in your nose, Nuffield Health says.

Sniff a salt water solution

The NHS recommends cleaning your nose with a homemade salt water solution, which it says can help treat mild sinusitis. This involves:

1. Boil a pint of water and leave it to cool, then mix a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the water.

2. Wash your hands, then stand over a sink. Cup the palm of one hand and pour a small amount of solution into it.

3. Sniff the water into one nostril at a time. Breathe through your mouth and allow the water to pour back into the sink. Try not to let the water go down the back of your throat.

4. Repeat up to three times a day, making a new solution each time, until your nose feels more comfortable.

Use a warm compress

Placing a warm, damp towel over your face can be helpful for relieving sinus pain and alleviating pressure.

Try a neti pot

Some people swear by a neti pot to clear their sinuses. A neti pot is a small container shaped like a teapot that is used to flush out sinuses and nasal passages with a saline solution. You must use a saline solution with water that has been boiled. Here’s how you use a neti pot:

1. Add the saline solution to a clean, dry neti pot.

2. Leaning over a sink, turn your head at a 45-degree angle.

3. Gently insert the spout into the nostril that is closest to the ceiling. While breathing through your mouth, tip the neti pot so the saline solution runs through your nostril and out through the other nostril.

4. Once all the saline solution finishes, breathe out through both nostril and use a tissue to clear remaining saline and mucus.

Drink plenty of water and fluids

Drinking plenty of fluids can help loosen and thin the mucus in your sinuses, which allows it to drain more quickly and providing more relief.

Read more about winter illnesses:

• Everything to know about winter flu as patients urged to attend A&E alone (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)

• The four winter viruses sweeping the UK - which one have you got? (BirminghamLive, 2-min read)

• Why you might be seriously ill right now and what to do about it, according to top GP (Manchester Evening News, 4-min read)