Rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. Cohen YZ. The common cold. Reviewed by: Linda J. Editorial team. Stuffy or runny nose - adult Nose - congested; Congested nose; Runny nose; Postnasal drip; Rhinorrhea; Nasal congestion.
Causes A stuffy or runny nose may be caused by: Common cold Flu Sinus infection The congestion typically goes away by itself within a week. Congestion also can be caused by: Hay fever or other allergies Use of some nasal sprays or drops bought without a prescription for more than 3 days may make nasal stuffiness worse Nasal polyps , sac-like growths of inflamed tissue lining the nose or sinuses Pregnancy Vasomotor rhinitis.
Home Care Finding ways to keep mucus thin will help it drain from your nose and sinuses and relieve your symptoms. You can also: Apply a warm, moist washcloth to your face several times a day. Inhale steam 2 to 4 times a day. One way to do this is to sit in the bathroom with the shower running. Do not inhale hot steam.
Use a vaporizer or humidifier. A nasal wash can help remove mucus from your nose. You can buy a saline spray at a drugstore or make one at home. Use gentle saline nasal sprays 3 to 4 times per day. Congestion is often worse when lying down. Keep upright, or at least keep the head elevated. Medicines you can buy at the store without a prescription can help your symptoms.
Decongestants are drugs that shrink and dry up your nasal passages. What are the possible causes of a blocked nose? The possible causes of a blocked nose include: Infections, such as a cold or flu Allergies, including hayfever Persistent rhinitis Nasal polyps Less common causes of a blocked nose include swollen adenoid glands, an injury or trauma to the nose or side effects of some medications.
How is a blocked nose treated? The following are treatment suggestions for nasal congestion: Steam inhalation - very carefully sitting on a chair and putting your face over a bowl of boiling water whilst breathing normally for five minutes.
Saltwater - saline drops can help to clear a blocked nose and are available from your local pharmacy. Menthol vapours - there are many products containing menthol, such as Vicks, which can relieve a blocked nose. Nasal sprays - decongestant sprays will help to unblock the nose quickly and are available over-the-counter.
Humidifiers - can add moisture to the air and may help to break up mucus. When should I see a doctor? Articles related to Blocked nose. Top 6 causes of a blocked nose By Mr William E. Grant A blocked nose, or a runny nose, is something we all get from time to time.
Top 5 causes of a blocked nose By Mr Paul Chatrath What could be causing your blocked nose? Book online Call. Mr William E. This website uses its own and third-party cookies to collect information in order to improve our services, to show you advertising related to your preferences, as well as to analyse your browsing habits..
Set Cookies. Custom configuration Cookies Policy Privacy Policy. Cookie settings. Many people with nasal congestion find that inhaling steam helps them feel better.
They may use a bowl of plain water, adding chamomile or peppermint oil, or take a warm shower. People should take care not to use boiling water, however, and they should always place the container on a flat, level surface. The warmth and moisture can be soothing to the membranes inside the nose, providing temporary relief. There is also a theory that it allows mucus to drain better and that it may help kill the virus.
However, science has not confirmed these theories, and there is no evidence to suggest that it improves symptoms. The results of a trial suggest that steam did not have an impact on nasal congestion due to recurrent sinusitis. Also, a review found no evidence to suggest that steam can either benefit or harm a person with a common cold. Steam inhalers are available for purchase online. Using saline spray may help decrease tissue inflammation in the nose and reduce stuffiness. The same trial that looked at the effectiveness of steam inhalation also looked at the impact of nasal irrigation.
The authors concluded that nasal irrigation with saline spray appears to have some benefit for people with nasal congestion due to chronic sinusitis. Saline-only sprays do not contain medication, so they are usually safe to use during pregnancy. Saline sprays are available over the counter and online. Learn how to make saline solution at home here. People can use neti pots to flush the sinuses and help relieve dry nasal passages. People can use these devices to apply salt water or a saline solution.
They can help flush out and moisten the nostrils. However, the Food and Drug Administration FDA warn people to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of infection:. Tap water can contain bacteria. It is not suitable for use in a neti pot or any other flushing device. People can buy neti pots online.
Learn more about neti pots and how to use them safely here. Applying a warm compress can help relieve the pain of nasal congestion and increase circulation in the sinuses. Some people like to add sliced fresh ginger to the water before soaking the washcloth.
Eucalyptus oil comes from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree. People have used it for medicinal purposes throughout history. Certain components in eucalyptus oil may have healing properties and act as:. Inhaling eucalyptus in steam or through a diffuser may help reduce nasal symptoms. To use, add a few drops of oil to a bowl of hot water or follow the instructions on a diffuser.
Eucalyptus oils and other products are available for purchase online. Although research suggests that essential oils may have some health benefits, it is important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration FDA does not monitor or regulate the purity or quality of these.
A person should always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil. Sometimes, an allergic reaction causes a stuffy nose. Allergy medications often contain an antihistamine that blocks this reaction. A Cochrane review concluded that antihistamines might help manage the severity of symptoms in adults with a common cold in the first day or two of illness.
However, in the following days, they were no more helpful than a placebo.
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