Why Do I Wake Up With a Stuffy Nose? If you wake up with a stuffy nose, your first thought might be that you are getting sick. While the cold and flu can cause nasal congestion, also known as rhinitis, there are a range of other reasons why your nose might feel plugged up in the morning.

Studies have found that nasal congestion can disrupt your sleep. Additionally, ongoing nasal congestion can contribute to snoring, which may affect the sleep of bed partners. To help you reduce morning stuffiness and get better sleep, we describe the causes of morning stuffiness, ways to prevent a stuffy nose, and tips for relieving morning congestion.

A stuffy nose is caused by inflammation and a buildup of mucus in the nose and sinuses, which reduces airflow and contributes to the sensation of blocked nasal passages. Congestion is most often caused by illness Merck Manual First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, the Manual grew in size and scope to become one of the most widely used comprehensive medical resources for professionals and consumers.

• Or allergies, but can result from many other factors, including pregnancy and small growths called polyps in the nasal passage.
• Common illnesses that can cause a stuffy nose include colds and the flu.
• When a person catches the common cold or influenza, their body may attempt to clear the infection by producing mucus.

Mucus and inflammation triggered by the infection lead to the feeling of a stuffy nose. People can have to a variety of airborne particles, including, When a person breathes in something they are allergic to, an immune response can lead to a variety of symptoms, including a stuffy nose, called allergic rhinitis.

1. Up to 30% of adults and 40% of children experience allergic rhinitis.
2. Allergic rhinitis may reduce a person’s sleep quality UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes.
3. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights.

and cause them to feel fatigued during the day. People can sometimes experience nasal congestion, sneezing, or runny nose that appears similar to allergies but has a separate cause. Triggers of nonallergic rhinitis include:

• Weather or temperature changes
• Medications, including drugs used to treat heart conditions, erectile dysfunction, and depression or anxiety
• Alcohol
• Strong emotions
• Smoke, perfumes, and other strong smells
• Spicy foods
• Medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis and hypothyroidism

A buildup of mucus in the nasal passages can be a breeding ground for bacteria or viruses, potentially leading to a sinus infection. Sinus infections often cause a stuffy nose and additional symptoms. Pain in the face and headaches are additional signs a stuffy nose might be due to a sinus infection, but the only way to be sure is to see a doctor.

Sometimes the blockage that causes the feeling of a stuffy nose is due to small growths called nasal polyps in the lining of the nose and sinuses. A person with small nasal polyps may not notice any symptoms Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends.

Larger polyps may make it difficult to breathe through the nose, increase the risk of a sinus infection, and leave a person constantly feeling like they have a cold. Up to 30% of pregnant people experience nasal congestion. A stuffy nose during occurs as a result of a normal increase in blood flow Office on Women’s Health (OWH) OWH coordinates women’s health efforts across HHS and addresses critical women’s health issues by informing and advancing policies, educating health care professionals and consumers, and supporting innovative programs. If you are trying to avoid waking up with a stuffy nose, there are a variety of measures you can take at home to help keep your nose and sinuses clear.

• Stay healthy: The best way to avoid getting sick is to minimize your exposure to germs. This includes washing your hands often with soap and water and trying not to touch your face.
• Avoid triggers: Reducing exposure UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. to any triggers that exacerbate your nasal congestion can help reduce the chance of waking up with a stuffy nose. This includes limiting exposure to things like cigarette smoke or strong fragrances.
• Elevate your head: Lying down can worsen nasal congestion, so can help alleviate the feeling of a stuffy nose when you wake up.
• Warm compress: Since heat can help open up your sinuses, applying a warm, dampened cloth on your face can help reduce nasal congestion.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids can help keep the mucus thin, allowing you to clear it more easily from the nose and sinuses.
• Nasal wash: Rinsing your nose 3 to 4 times a day with a simple saline solution from the local drugstore can help to reduce mucus. You can also make your own saltwater solution at home.
• Sleep with a humidifier: Using a humidifier can help keep the air in your room from being too dry. The added can help thin the mucus in your nasal passages while you sleep to help you wake up with a clear nose.
• Inhale steam: Similar to a nasal wash or warm compress, inhaling steam can help thin mucus so you can breathe easier.
• Over-the-counter medications: Decongestant medications can help dry out the nasal passages to relieve a stuffy nose. If you experience allergies, antihistamines may prevent the symptoms, including a stuffy nose, from coming on. Antihistamine nasal sprays may also help people with nonallergic rhinitis. Working with a doctor can help you decide whether a medication may be helpful for you.

While in most cases a stuffy nose is not a cause for concern, if the feeling lasts for more than three weeks Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends., it might be time to talk to a doctor. There are also several additional symptoms that can appear alongside a stuffy nose that are signs it would be good to talk to your doctor:

• Pain in the face or throat
• Facial swelling and blurred vision
• Fever
• Nasal discharge that is green, yellow, or any color other than white or clear
• A runny nose on only one side or that starts after a head injury
• Foul smelling nasal discharge
• A persistent for longer than 10 days

Your doctor can help identify the underlying cause of the stuffy nose and provide treatments, such as prescription nasal sprays, that can help speed your recovery. Thanks for the feedback – we’re glad you found our work instructive! If you’re ready for more, sign up to receive our email newsletter! Your is important to us.

1. Fried, M.P. (2021, September). Nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. Merck Manual Professional Version., Retrieved January 31, 2023, from
2. Peden, D. (2022, April 25). An overview of rhinitis. In J. Corren (Ed.). UpToDate. Retrieved August 22, 2022 from, Retrieved January 30, 2023, from
3. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. (2021, August 31). Nasal polyps. MedlinePlus., Retrieved January 30, 2023, from
4. Office on Women’s Health. (2021, February 22). Body changes and discomforts.U.S. Department of Health & Human Services., Retrieved January 31, 2023, from
5. Lieberman, P.L. (2022, April 26). Chronic nonallergic rhinitis. In J. Corren (Ed.). UpToDate., Retrieved January 30, 2023, from
6. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. (2021, July 19). Stuffy or runny nose – adult. MedlinePlus., Retrieved January 30, 2023, from

: Why Do I Wake Up With a Stuffy Nose?

Why do I wake up with a stuffy nose every morning?

Hormones – The hormonal changes you experience during pregnancy and menstruation can also cause morning stuffiness. Around 39 percent of pregnant women experience pregnancy-related rhinitis. Studies show that these methods can help safely alleviate the symptoms:

irrigating your nose with salt water and a Neti potexerciseusing nasal dilators like Breathe Right strips

If you wake up with a stuffy nose and you don’t have a cold or the flu, you may be dealing with allergic or non-allergic rhinitis. Your nasal congestion could be caused by dust mites, seasonal allergies, pet dander, reflux disease, hormonal changes, or chemicals in your environment like secondhand smoke.

How should I sleep to avoid a stuffy nose?

25. Prop up your head so you remain elevated – Sleeping with your head elevated can help drain mucus and relieve sinus pressure. Lay on your back and use an extra pillow to prop up your head. Want suggestions? Browse our market, filled with editor-trusted and expert-verified pillow recommendations.

infantsadults age 65 and olderpeople who have a compromised immune system

Even if you’re not in one of these groups, you should see your doctor if your symptoms last for more than a week or get progressively worse. You should also see your doctor if you experience:

difficulty breathinga high fever yellow or green nasal discharge with sinus pain or fever bloody or pus-like nasal discharge

Why is one nostril always blocked?

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. A deviated septum occurs when your nasal septum — the thin wall that separates your right and left nasal passages — is displaced to one side. A deviated septum can be caused by:

A condition present at birth. In some cases, a deviated septum occurs when the fetus develops in the womb and is apparent at birth. Injury to the nose. A deviated septum can also be the result of an injury that causes the nasal septum to be moved out of position. In infants, such an injury may occur during childbirth. In children and adults, a wide array of accidents may lead to a nose injury and deviated septum. Trauma to the nose most commonly occurs during contact sports, rough play such as wrestling or automobile accidents.

The aging process may affect nasal structures, worsening a deviated septum over time. Swelling and irritation of the nasal cavities or sinus cavities because of an infection can further narrow the nasal passage and result in nasal obstruction. For some people, a deviated septum is present at birth — occurring during fetal development or due to injury during childbirth.

Playing contact sports Not wearing your seat belt while riding in a motorized vehicle

A severely deviated septum causing nasal blockage can lead to:

Dry mouth, due to chronic mouth breathing A feeling of pressure or congestion in your nasal passages Disturbed sleep, due to the unpleasantness of not being able to breathe comfortably through your nose at night

You may be able to prevent the injuries to your nose that can cause a deviated septum with these precautions:

Wear a helmet or a midface mask when playing contact sports, such as football and volleyball. Wear a seat belt when riding in a motorized vehicle.

Why is one nostril always clogged?

What is a normal nasal cycle? – Your is the cycle of congestion and decongestion that occurs in your nose naturally throughout daily life. The underlying mechanism has to do with an asymmetry in blood flow between the nasal cavities. Blood vessels can swell and change the airflow in one nostril in comparison with the other.

This cycle is controlled by your autonomic nervous system (ANS) and lasts around 2 hours per cycle. When the nasal cycle is functioning properly, you’re unlikely to even know it’s happening. When your nose gets stuffed, it’s usually because of inflamed blood vessels in your sinuses. These blood vessels can become inflamed by illness or a sinus infection.

The phenomenon of having one side of your nose blocked can be caused by a number of other factors, which we’ll explore below.

How can I unblock my nose naturally?

Natural home remedies and over-the-counter products like saline nasal spray may help relieve a congested nose. It’s no secret that being congested can make you feel miserable. Having a stuffy nose and a chest filled with mucus can make it hard to go about your daily life as normal.

1. Sometimes, it can even be hard to breathe.
2. Fortunately, there are ways to free up your airways.
3. Besides over-the-counter (OTC) medications, there are also several natural remedies that may help ease your congestion.
4. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of these natural decongestants and how to use them.

In most cases, these remedies can be used for both children and adults. If a particular remedy isn’t safe for children, we’ll point that out. A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air. Because cold, dry air may make you feel more congested and interfere with your sinuses draining as they should, a humidifier may help by pumping moisture into the air you breathe.

This, in turn, can increase the humidity in your nose and make it easier to breathe. You can run a humidifier during the day and also at night. Running a humidifier while you’re sleeping can help open up your nasal passages and make sleeping more comfortable. This may allow you to get better quality sleep.

Using a humidifier has few risks. Many people report that humidified air helps improve their cold symptoms. Steam is a natural way to increases the humidity of the surrounding air. It may also help to thin out and drain the mucus in your nose more easily.

• According to a 2008 study, drinking hot beverages can be an effective way to feel less congested.
• A hot shower can also be a good way to feel better.
• Another easy way to use steam to feel less congested is to pour hot water into a large bowl, and then inhale the steam while leaning over the bowl with a towel over your head.

Research has found that steam therapy may increase the risk of severe burns, particularly in children, so be sure to use this method with extreme care. A saline nasal spray may help thin out the mucus in your nasal passages. This type of spray is available over the counter.

1. Blow your nose to help clear out your nasal passages before using the spray.
2. Stand upright — there’s no need to tilt your head back.
3. Read the product instructions carefully and shake the spray bottle before using it.
4. Close one of your nostrils by pressing your finger against it. Then position the opening of the spray bottle under the nostril that’s open.
5. Squeeze the spray bottle gently and inhale the spray with your mouth closed.
6. Sniff hard a few times to make sure the spray gets all the way up your nasal passages.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nasal irrigation devices, some of which are commonly called neti pots, can be an effective way of dealing with decongestion when used and cleaned properly. A neti pot looks like a small teapot with a long spout, and it uses saline to unclog stuffy nasal passages.

1. Read all instructions before using the neti pot to be sure you’re doing it safely. Use sterile or distilled bottled water or boiled and cooled tap water if you’re preparing your own saline solution.
2. Lean over a sink and tilt your head sideways. Try to keep your forehead and chin level so that the liquid doesn’t flow into your mouth.
3. Insert the spout of the saline-filled neti pot into the upper nostril so that the solution drains out of your lower nostril.
4. Repeat the procedure with your other nostril by tilting your head in the opposite direction.

The FDA doesn’t recommend nasal irrigation for children unless recommended by a pediatrician. A warm compress may help unclog a stuffy nose by reducing inflammation and opening up the nasal passages from the outside. To make a warm compress, soak a wash cloth or small towel in warm, not hot, water.

1. Squeeze the excess water from the cloth, then fold it and place it over your upper nose and lower forehead.
2. The warmth may help relieve the inflammation in your nostrils and sinuses and make it easier to breathe.
3. Avoid keeping the warm compress on your face for too long to reduce the risk of burning your skin.

Eating spicy foods is a common way to help open up the nasal passages. Foods such as peppers, ginger, and garlic can trigger a condition called gustatory rhinitis, Spicy foods cause the body to make more mucus and lead to a runny nose. Also, some spices like turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties.

1. Consider adding chili pepper, grated ginger, powdered turmeric, and other spices to your meals.
2. Eeping your head elevated can prevent mucus from pooling in your sinuses at night.
3. It can also relieve sinus pressure.
4. Lie on your back and use an extra pillow to ensure that your head is at a slightly higher angle than the rest of your body.

Although evidence is limited, it’s believed that some essential oils may help relieve congestion symptoms. In a 2010 study, an essential oil spray containing peppermint, eucalyptus, oregano, and rosemary was applied to participants five times a day for 3 days.

At the end of the study, the researchers concluded that the essential oil spray was effective at improving upper respiratory symptoms immediately after use, but it did not lessen symptoms overall after 3 days of use. Essential oils can be combined with a carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil, and applied to the skin.

Or they can be added to a diffuser and used as aromatherapy, Keep essential oils away from children and pets. They can be toxic if ingested. Drinking fluids helps to loosen thick mucus that can block your nasal passages. When you’re congested, try to aim for a minimum daily fluid intake of about 11.5 cups (for women) to 15.5 cups (for men).

• congestion that lasts longer than a week
• trouble breathing
• chest pain
• high fever

Congestion is a symptom of colds, flu, allergies, and sinus infections that cause inflamed nasal passages and mucus-filled airways. Although OTC medications can help to temporarily clear up congestion, there are some natural remedies that can provide relief too.

Why is my nose always stuffy even when I’m not sick?

Anything that irritates the inside of the nose can cause a stuffy nose. Infections — such as colds, flu or sinusitis — and allergies often cause stuffy and runny noses. Irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke, perfume, dust and car exhaust, also can cause these symptoms.

• Some people have noses that are stuffy and run all the time without a known reason.
• This is called nonallergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis.
• A polyp, an object such as a small toy stuck in the nose, or a tumor might cause the nose to run from only one side.
• Sometimes migraine-like headaches can cause a runny nose.

Possible causes of nasal congestion include:

1. Acute sinusitis
2. Alcohol
3. Allergies
4. Chronic sinusitis
5. Churg-Strauss syndrome
6. Dry or cold air
7. Common cold
8. Decongestant nasal spray overuse
9. Deviated septum
10. Enlarged adenoids
11. Food, especially spicy dishes
12. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
13. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
14. Hormonal changes
15. Influenza (flu)
16. Medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, depression, seizures and other conditions
17. Nasal polyps
18. Nonallergic rhinitis
19. Object in the nose
20. Pregnancy
21. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
22. Sleep apnea — a condition in which breathing stops and starts many times during sleep.
23. Thyroid conditions
24. Tobacco smoke

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Why is my nose stuffy but nothing comes out?

You know when you blow your nose and nothing comes out? Or when you try to inhale and it feels like a dead end? You’re likely stuck with a stuffy nose, and there are few things more annoying. It’s understandable you’d rush to search for how to get rid of a stuffy nose as soon as it crops up.

1. First, you should know the medical term for a stuffy nose is “rhinitis,” which means inflammation of the mucus membranes (a.k.a.
2. Mucosa) inside the nose, says Craig Polinsky, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Amicus Medical Centers,
3. When a person inhales an allergen into their nasal passage, either from a virus, bacteria, or any allergen, cells known as mast cells release a chemical called histamine, which starts the inflammatory process,” he explains.

This is what causes mucus to build up, leading to a stuffy nose, along with other symptoms like sneezing, nasal itching, coughing, sinus pressure, and itchy eyes, You may think the mucus is to blame, but the stuffiness is mainly due to vein swelling in your nose, says Steven Alexander, MD, an otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates,

• A lot of people will blow their nose repeatedly trying to get the mucus out, when the real issue is the swelling,” he notes.
• Blowing your nose is useful, but if nothing is coming out, it generally means there’s not a lot of mucus.” The three common culprits behind inflammation in your nose are infections, allergies, and nonallergic rhinitis, says Dr.

Alexander. Infections like COVID-19 and the common cold are caused by viruses or bacteria, while allergies are often seasonal and related to triggers in the environment such as pollen, dust, and animal dander. And nonallergic rhinitis is set off by pollution and temperature changes.

To find the appropriate remedy, you’ll first need to find out what’s causing your stuffy nose. If you are experiencing itchy or watery eyes along with sneezing and runny nose, it’s likely allergies or nonallergic rhinitis. But if you have discharge from your nose that is thick, yellow, or green, then it’s more likely to be infectious.

Ready for some much-needed relief and to breathe again? Try one of these following treatments recommended by experts. Meet the experts: Craig Polinsky, MD, is an internal medicine physician with 23 years of experience. He practices at Amicus Medical Centers in Palm Beach, Florida.

How long does a stuffy nose last?

Suffering from a cold? Many factors can increase your risk of catching a cold, including:

Close contact with someone who has a cold Season (colds are more common during the fall and winter, but it is possible to get a cold any time of the year) Age (infants and young children have more colds per year than adults)

Symptoms of a cold usually peak within 2 to 3 days and can include:

Sneezing Stuffy nose Runny nose Sore throat Coughing Mucus dripping down your throat (post-nasal drip) Watery eyes Fever (although most people with colds do not have fever)

When viruses that cause colds first infect the nose and sinuses, the nose makes clear mucus. This helps wash the viruses from the nose and sinuses. After 2 or 3 days, mucus may change to a white, yellow, or green color. This is normal and does not mean you need an antibiotic.

Trouble breathing or fast breathing Dehydration Fever that lasts longer than 4 days Symptoms that last more than 10 days without improvement Symptoms, such as fever or cough, that improve but then return or worsen Worsening of chronic medical conditions

This list is not all-inclusive. Please see a doctor for any symptom that is severe or concerning. Colds can have similar symptoms to, It can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Learn more about between cold and flu. When you have a cold, mucus fills your nose and could cause post-nasal drip, headache, and a sore throat. When you have a cold:

a sore throat could last for 8 days a headache could last for 9 or 10 days congestion, runny nose, and cough could last for more than 14 days

Baby Talk to a healthcare professional right away if your child is under 3 months old with a fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher. Your doctor can determine if you have a cold by asking about symptoms and examining you. Your doctor may also need to order laboratory tests.

There is no cure for a cold. It will get better on its own—without antibiotics. Antibiotics won’t help you get better if you have a cold. When antibiotics aren’t needed, they won’t help you, and their side effects could still cause harm. Side effects can range from mild reactions, like a rash, to more serious health problems.

These problems can include severe allergic reactions, and infection.C. diff causes diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and death. Below are some ways you can feel better while your body fights off a cold:

Get plenty of rest. Drink plenty of fluids. Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer.

Use saline nasal spray or drops.

For young children, use a rubber suction bulb to clear mucus.

Breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water or shower.

Use throat lozenges or cough drops. Do not give lozenges to children younger than 4 years of age. Use honey to relieve cough for adults and children at least 1 year of age or older.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about over-the-counter medicines that can help you feel better. Always use over-the-counter medicines as directed. Remember, over-the-counter medicines may provide temporary relief of symptoms, but they will not cure your illness.

Pain relievers:

Children younger than 6 months: only give acetaminophen. Children 6 months or older: it is OK to give acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Never give aspirin to children because it can cause Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome is a very serious, but rare illness that can harm the liver and brain.

Cough and cold medicines:

Children younger than 4 years old: do not use over-the-counter cough and cold medicines in young children unless a doctor specifically tells you to. Cough and cold medicines can result in serious and sometimes life-threatening side effects in young children. Children 4 years or older: discuss with your child’s doctor if over-the-counter cough and cold medicines are safe to give to your child.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right dosage of over-the-counter medicines for your child’s age and size. Also, tell your child’s doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines they are taking. You can help prevent colds by doing your best to stay healthy and keep others healthy, including:

Avoid close contact with people who have colds or other upper respiratory infections. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke. Stay at home while you are sick and keep children out of school or daycare while they are sick.

Is it OK if one nostril is blocked?

Q: Why do I sometimes get congested in one nostril? – A: Many people don’t realize that every four to six hours, one side of the nose becomes more congested, and the other side decongests. They switch back and forth in a normal cycle. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

Side sleeping, People also experience stuffiness in the nostril that faces down when they sleep on their side. Deviated septum, If you have blockage that is continuous, it could be a result of a deviated septum. Inflammation and nasal polyps, There are people who have chronic inflammation and nasal polyps, In rare cases, this can be due to a tumor, but these are uncommon. Chronic and persistent obstruction on one side should be evaluated by a doctor, and probably an ENT (otolaryngologist). Foreign objects in the nose, In small children, blockage in one nostril might be due to a foreign body that they put in their nose. If you see thick drainage or pus coming out, it’s time to call your doctor.

— ENT-otolaryngologist Michael Benninger, MD

Why does stuffy nose switch sides?

Causes – There are multiple causes of a blocked nose but the commonest ones are as follows:

Deviated Septum – The septum is the cartilage in the middle of the nose. This may be bent either from the way your body has grown or alternatively from a fracture. The bend in the septum can cause a blockage on one side more than the other. Large inferior turbinates – The inferior turbinates are 2 scrolls of tissue which sit on each side of the nose. These scrolls of tissue serve a very important purpose in the form of sensation of nasal airflow, humidification of air and sweeping material from the front of the nose to the back of the nose amongst other purposes. The inferior turbinates can become enlarged via either allergy, inflammation, how your nose has developed or a combination of these. The turbinates also go through a process which is known as the nasal cycle. This cycle is where one turbinate increases in size whilst the other decreases and then they swap over. This accounts for why people notice that they have a blocked nose on one side which then swaps to the other side. Nasal valve collapse – The nasal valve is the area on the side of the nose. From a technical perspective this area can be divided into the internal and external nasal valve. The nasal valve can collapse due to an inherent weakness in the cartilage which holds this area open. Patients who have nasal valve collapse may notice that they are holding their cheek out to stretch out their nasal valve. Sinusitis – Sinusitis can cause nasal obstruction via generalized inflammation within the nose. This inflammation can be in the form of nasal polyps or alternatively contribute to swelling of the inferior turbinates. This inflammation can then go on to causes nasal obstruction.

Does blowing your nose help?

One nostril or two? Hard blow or gentle? Some ways are more effective and less risky than others. from www.shutterstock.com David King, The University of Queensland If you have a blocked or runny nose, chances are you’ll reach for a tissue or hanky to clear the mucus by having a good blow.

But is there a right way to blow your nose? Could some ways make your cold worse? And could you actually do some damage? The three most common reasons for extra mucus or snot are the common cold, sinusitis (infection or inflammation of the sinuses, the air-filled spaces inside the face bones) and hay fever,

Each of these conditions cause the lining in the nose to swell up, and to produce extra mucus to flush away infection, irritants or allergens. Both the swelling and extra mucus lead to nasal congestion. This is when the narrowed passages increase the effort of breathing through the nose.

1. Clearing the mucus by blowing the nose should reduce this congestion somewhat.
2. At the beginning of colds and for most of the time with hay fever, there’s lots of runny mucus.
3. Blowing the nose regularly prevents mucus building up and running down from the nostrils towards the upper lip, the all-too-familiar runny nose.

Later in colds and with sinusitis, nasal mucus can become thick, sticky and harder to clear. Further reading: Health Check: what you need to know about mucus and phlegm Think of “snotty nosed kids”, in particular infants or toddlers who haven’t yet learnt to coordinate the mechanics of blowing their noses.

They tend to repeatedly sniff thick mucus back into their nose or allow it to dribble down their upper lip. Keeping this mucus (rather than blowing it out) is thought to contribute to a cycle of irritation that causes the snotty nose to persist for weeks or longer. This may be due to the retained mucus acting as a good “home” for bacteria to grow in, as well as fatigue of the “hairs” (cilia) that cleanse the nose by moving along mucus and carrying with it irritants, inhaled debris and bacteria.

Thick retained mucus is also more likely to be transported to the throat rather than gravity working it from the nostrils, leading to throat irritation and possibly a cough. This is the mechanism behind the most common cause of prolonged cough after a viral infection or hay fever, known as the post-nasal drip cough.

What unblocks your nose fast?

5 Ways to Get Rid of a Stuffy Nose Medically Reviewed by on February 22, 2023 From chicken to to over-the-counter (OTC), there are all sorts of ways to help clear a stuffy nose. Call your doctor if you’ve been congested for more than 2 weeks. If not, use these tips to breathe easier.

• Rinse the inside of your nose with a kit or to soften, loosen, and wash out mucus and instantly relieve your stuffy head.
• A neti pot looks like a mini teapot.
• You can buy it at your local drugstore.
• While you’re there, pick up some saline solution.
• Or make it yourself at home.
• Mix 1 cup of warm bottled, distilled water, a pinch of, and half a teaspoon of salt.

Use the nasal wash 1 to 2 times a day for best results. Whether it’s from a hot shower or piping hot cup of tea, steam can thin mucus and help it drain from your nose. For faster relief, pour boiling water into a large bowl. Cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl, and breathe in the steam. You can do this three to four times a day.

Hot broths can help loosen mucus, and chicken soup may be the gold standard. It’ll help you feel less stuffy, and it tastes good. A bioelectronic sinus device is available over-the-counter to reduce sinus pain and congestion. It works by using microcurrents on nerve fibers to help reduce symptoms of inflammation such as pain, headache, and congestion.

Why do you feel stuffy when you’re sick? Because the vessels inside your nose swell and block your airways. Over-the-counter can shrink these vessels and help you breathe easier. Check the label for the ingredients or, Decongestant nasal sprays work the same way.

But be careful! Your nose can get even stuffier if you use them for more than 4 or 5 days in a row. Sometimes these products can make you nervous or irritable. Peppermint and its main active ingredient, menthol, are natural decongestants and may even thin out the gunk in your chest. You’ll find them in many chest rubs and drops.

You can also drink peppermint tea. Buy it from the store, or make your own: Steep 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Drink a cup up to five times a day. © 2023 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. : 5 Ways to Get Rid of a Stuffy Nose

Where do you press to get rid of a stuffy nose?

Maxillary Sinus Massage Using your index and middle fingers, apply pressure near your nose between your cheekbones and jaw. Move your fingers in a circular motion toward your ears.

How do you get rid of morning allergies?

A Word From Verywell – If you are looking for relief from morning allergies, there are some things you can do. Identifying the source of your allergy is an important place to start. Often, people can take an educated guess about what they are allergic to based on when their symptoms appear and what triggers them.

Do humidifiers help with blocked nose?

A home humidifier can increase the humidity (moisture) in your home. This helps eliminate the dry air that can irritate and inflame the airways in your nose and throat. Using a humidifier in the home can help relieve a stuffy nose and can help break up mucus so you can cough it up.

Always use a cool-mist humidifier (vaporizer), especially for children. Warm mist humidifiers can cause burns if a person gets too close.Place the humidifier several feet (approximately 2 meters) away from the bed.Do not run a humidifier for a long time. Set the unit to 30% to 50% humidity. If room surfaces are constantly damp or wet to the touch, mold and mildew can grow. This can cause breathing problems in some people.Humidifiers must be drained and cleaned daily, because bacteria can grow in standing water.Use distilled water instead of tap water. Tap water has minerals that can collect in the unit. They can be released into the air as white dust and cause breathing problems. Follow the instructions that came with your unit on how to prevent buildup of minerals.

Health and humidifiers; Using a humidifier for colds; Humidifiers and colds Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Why does my nose feel blocked but no mucus?

What does it feel like to constantly have a blocked nose? – Although most of us will have experienced a blocked nose at some point in our lives, there are many different causes, each with their own set of symptoms. It can be worthwhile, therefore, to spend a bit of time pinpointing exactly how you feel, as this can help you to identify the cause of your nose trouble and find an effective solution.

• One important point to consider is if you are producing a lot of mucus.
• This is most likely to be caused by a virus, allergy or intolerance, as it is your body’s mechanism of trying to trap and expel the infection or irritant from your body.
• If you feel that you are blocked up but are not really producing mucus, then this is more indicative of a physical abnormality, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum.

It is quite common for people to complain of having a blocked nose on one side. If this is caused by an infection or allergies, then it is quite common for the blocked nostril to switch sides. If caused by a deviated septum or obstruction, then the same nostril will always be affected.