What should i do for nasal congestion

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. Various options are available online , but people should ask a healthcare professional for advice before using an antihistamine. It is essential to read the directions on the package and be aware of side effects.

Some allergy medications can cause drowsiness, for example, so people should not drive when using them. Are there any natural antihistamines? Learn more here. Decongestants cause the small blood vessels in the nose to narrow. This decreases the swelling in the lining of the nose and reduces the feeling of stuffiness.

A Cochrane review was unable to confirm that a single dose could help relieve the symptoms of a common cold in adults, but multiple doses may have a small benefit. People should not use decongestants for longer than a week , as long-term use can actually worsen congestion.

Side effects can include increased heart rate, headache , and dry mouth. Nasal spray decongestants may also cause sneezing and burning inside the nose. Anyone with high blood pressure , diabetes, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, or another condition should ask a doctor if it is safe to use decongestants before doing so.

They are not suitable for children under 6 years of age, and they may not be suitable during pregnancy. Decongestants are available online or over the counter, and some need a prescription. They come as nasal sprays, drops, tablets, or syrup.

Learn which decongestant is best to use for each age group here. Some people find that adding moisture to the air from a cool or warm mist humidifier provides relief. Read on to discover the best nasal decongestants by age and current research. There are a variety of reasons a person may be experiencing a headache and stuffy nose. Learn more about different causes and treatment options, here.

Essential oils are a popular natural remedy for sinus congestion, stuffiness, and a blocked nose. In this article, we look at which essential oils can…. Nasal sprays can relieve a congested nose or throat, but people can develop a dependence with some types. Find out more about the different types of….

What causes nasal congestion? Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph. Causes In children During pregnancy Coronavirus Treatment Home remedies Duration Seeing a doctor Prevention Summary Nasal congestion occurs when blood vessels and mucous membranes in the sinuses and nasal passageways swell. Causes of nasal congestion. Share on Pinterest From infections to environmental factors, many issues cause nasal congestion. Nasal congestion in children. Is it normal during pregnancy?

Nasal congestion treatment. Nasal congestion home remedies. If you have allergies: Your provider may also prescribe nasal sprays that treat allergy symptoms.

Learn how to avoid triggers that make allergies worse. When to Contact a Medical Professional. Call your provider for any of the following: A stuffy nose with swelling of the forehead, eyes, side of the nose, or cheek, or that occurs with blurred vision More throat pain, or white or yellow spots on the tonsils or other parts of the throat Discharge from the nose that has a bad smell, comes from only one side, or is a color other than white or yellow Cough that lasts longer than 10 days, or produces yellow-green or gray mucus Nasal discharge following a head injury Symptoms that last more than 3 weeks Nasal discharge with fever.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit. Your provider may perform a physical exam that focuses on the ears, nose, throat, and airways. Tests that may be done include: Allergy skin tests Blood tests Sputum culture and throat culture X-rays of the sinuses and chest x-ray. Alternative Names. Runny and stuffy nose. Allergy Read more. Common Cold Read more. Drug Reactions Read more. When the air is too dry, your mucus may get thicker and not flow very well, and your sinuses may not drain properly.

You can use a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to add humidity into the air, which will keep your nasal passages moist, allowing mucus to drain faster. Using a gentle saline nasal spray like Sinex Saline Ultra Fine Nasal Mist can help clear congestion from a cold or allergies. A saline nasal spray helps keep nasal passages open by washing out any allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander that can lead to nasal congestion.

It can also loosen thick or dried mucus to make it easier to remove. The saline solution also helps to soothe dry, irritated nasal passages. You can use a neti pot to rinse particles or mucus from your nose if you have nasal congestion symptoms.

A neti pot is specially designed to help you flush out mucus. To use it, bend your head sideways over the sink and place the spout of the neti pot in the upper nostril, and then pour a saltwater solution into your upper nostril and let the water drain down the lower nose.

The chemical in spicy foods, capsaicin, can help relieve a runny nose that is not caused by allergies. Capsaicin is the compound that gives chili peppers their heat. While eating spicy foods, your runny nose may get worse at first, but in the long run the heat will relieve your runny nose. Over-the-counter cold and flu medicines can help relieve your runny nose and nasal congestion symptoms from a cold or flu, along with other common symptoms.

Be sure to identify what symptoms aside from runny nose and nasal congestion you may have to make sure you get the relief you need. It also has a nasal decongestant to relieve your stuffy nose. These multi-symptom products can also relieve other cold and flu symptoms you may experience—like cough, fever, minor aches and pains, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and sneezing.

If your symptoms become severe or last more than 10 days, please contact your healthcare provider. If you have a runny nose or nasal congestion, you may have the common cold, flu, or allergies. The first two are caused by viruses, which can easily spread to other people if you are not careful enough. To prevent spreading the cold and flu viruses that give you runny or stuffy nose to those around you, follow these CDC tips 1 :.