Generally speaking, everyone will experience a blocked or stuffy nose at one time in their life. The reasons as to why this may happen are numerous, including infections (cold or flu) and allergies. Stuffy noses are usually no cause for alarm for most kids and adults, although they can be dangerous for newborns.

The nose becomes blocked when blood vessels within the nostril's membrane lining becomes swollen/inflamed, causing nasal congestion and the production of excess mucus. It should be noted that the methods listed below detailing how to unstuff your nose are not cures for the occurrence, as nasal congestion will likely last until the underlying cause has been treated or eradicated. That being said, the methods below can be extremely useful in relieving your symptoms.

How to UnStuff Your Nose

1

Be Gentle When Blowing Your Nose

If your nose is blocked then you may think it wise to blow your nose and clear the mucus. As mentioned, stuffy noses are caused by inflamed membrane lining, and forcefully blowing your nose can lead to further damage of the membranes. When the mucus is running and you feel like blowing your nose, ensure that you do it gently, and blow one nostril at a time.

2

Try Nasal Spray

A saline nasal spray can be made with salt and water, put inside a suitable delivery/spray apparatus. Saline nasal spray can also be bought at most pharmaceutical stores.

To use, first stand over a sink with your nostrils pointing toward the sink/drain. Spray the solution into one nostril, and allow the liquid to drain from your nose into the sink before spraying the second nostril. This method can be repeated up to three times a day.

3

Ease Congestion with Steam

Steam can be helpful when trying to ascertain how to unstuff your nose, and can be used as much as required to attain relief. This method works to moisten the air, increasing humidity. Inhaling moist air helps to soothe swollen blood vessels within the sinuses, helping to eradicate stuffy noses.

There are numerous methods of exposing your nasal passages to hot steam, including having a hot shower, turning on a humidifier, or inhaling steam from boiling water.

4

Apply a Warm Compress

Simply wet a washcloth in hot water, as hot as you can tolerate, and place the dampened cloth over your nose, ensuring to keep the airways of the nostrils clear. It may take a while for this method to have any positive effects, and you may have to re-heat/re-dampen the cloth numerous times when it becomes cold.

5

Try Acupressure

Acupressure can help to reduce sinus pressure and give you relief from a stuffy nose. This method involves applying pressure to certain areas of the body to attain relief from ailments; in this case, the sides of the eye cavities are the site of pressure. To do this, follow the steps below:

  • First, place both index fingers in the corner of each eye socket beside the nose, slightly below the eye-brow, then gently massage in outward circular motions for around thirty seconds.

  • Next, place both index fingers on the outer side, just below the eyes, and repeat the same massaging motion.

  • Lastly, use your thumbs to repeat the same massaging motions on your cheek bones, but for around thirty-five seconds.

  • Repeat this process until relief is attained, which may take four or five times.

6

Increase Fluid Intake

When it comes to how to unstuff your nose, some simple fluid intake can help a lot. Ensuring to remain hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water, warm soup, tea or juices, they can help to clear congested nasal passages by thinning the mucus and decreasing the pressure inside sinuses, which in turn, reduces swelling and irritation.

7

Try Using Eucalyptus Oil

This is thought to be one of the most effective home remedies at treating stuffy nose. Simply place a few drops of this oil onto a small piece of cloth/handkerchief and inhale the oil's fragrance through your nostrils. You can also drop a few droplet of this oil onto your pillow to inhale whilst you sleep.

8

Consume Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits have decongestant properties to clear a stuffy nose with the synephrine they contain. There are a plateau of tasty citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes. These fruits can be eaten, made into juice and drank, or used as an aromatic, giving natural help at eradicating a stuffy nose.

9

Other Remedies

If you want to know how to unstuff your nose, you may have by now realized that there are numerous natural ways to do so. Below are some other remedies that may prove effective:

  • Garlic: Consuming garlic can work tremendously well in decongesting a stuffy nose. You can either eat fresh cloves, or preparing a simple garlic soup by crushing three cloves and adding them into a cup of boiling water.

  • Apple cider vinegar: Make a natural solution by mixing 2 tablespoons of ACV with one tablespoon of honey and one cup of warm water, and drink the mixture to get relief from congested nasal passages.

  • Basil: Either chewing leaves of the basil plant, or making and drinking a tea made from them by adding basil leaves to boiling water can help to resolve a stuffy nose.

  • Honey: Mix two teaspoons of pure, organic honey into a lukewarm glass of water and drink the mixture. Do this daily until you attain relief from nasal congestion.

  • Ginger: Ginger tea can be consumed to help ease a stuffy nose, and even better when honey and lemon is mixed in also. Alternatively, you can add some powdered ginger to a glass of lukewarm water, and drink the solution.

10

Video

The video below will provide you with further information on methods to un-stuff your nose:

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