A blocked or congested nose is usually caused by the inflammation of blood vessels lining the nostrils due to common cold, allergies or flu. This causes extreme discomfort while breathing, swallowing and talking.
Sometimes, over the counter medications for a blocked nose can cause side effects like drowsiness. The safest option is to follow these effective home remedies for relieving congestion caused by a blocked nose.
Home Remedies For Blocked Nose
Use A Saline Nasal Spray
Buy a sterile, isotonic saline nasal spray from your nearest drug store. Lean over a wash basin, with your nose pointing at the drain. This position ensures that the water runs out of your nostrils easily. Squeeze the bottle containing the saline solution slightly, inside each nostril to spray it and then release.Let the solution drain completely from your nose before repeating the process. Follow this regime two to three times a day. A saline nasal spray will reduce inflammation in your nasal membranes and provide relief from a blocked nose in addition to flushing out mucus and bacteria, if any.
Steam To The Rescue
Boil some water in a vaporizer. Cover your head with a towel. Lean over the vaporizer and inhale the steam carefully without burning yourself. The heat and moisture from the steam eases inflammation and allows you to breathe normally.
Spicy Food And Warm Fluids
Consume hot, spicy food and drink warm liquids like soups, tea and coffee. Spicy food and warm fluids loosen the mucus in your nose.By the end of your meal, your nose starts running. Gently blow out the loosened mucus. You will immediately feel better.
Use A Warm Compress
Dip a clean dishcloth in a bowl of hot water. Wring out excess water. Place this cloth over your sinuses and the bridge of your nose. The heat from the cloth will act as a decongestant and allow you to breathe. Redo the procedure when the dishcloth loses warmth.
Use A Vapor Rub
Most vapor rubs contain menthol which eases congestion once inhaled. Rub this on your chest, back, nose and throat before going to sleep.This helps you breathe normally when your are asleep. When awake, you can apply a vapor rub on your index finger or on a tissue, hold it close to your nose and inhale deeply.
Adhesive Nasal Strips
You can stick adhesive nasal strips over the bridge of your nose. These slightly widen nasal passages enabling you to breathe freely in spite of a blocked nose.These strips are available over the counter at local drug stores.
Eucalyptus Bath Salts
Add some eucalyptus mineral bath salt to your bathtub under running hot water. Soak yourself in this water, inhaling the vapors. The bathing time should not exceed 20 minutes. This is a very good home remedy for a blocked nose caused by common cold and flu.In case your symptoms persist for well over seven days, accompanied by fever and discharge of yellow-green mucus from your nose, consult a medical practitioner immediately.
