Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Quick fixes for kids and adults
• Method 2 of 4: Treating a baby
• Method 3 of 4: Know when to see a doctor
• Method 4 of 4: Make boiled onion tea for babies
• Tips
• Warnings

• Blow your nose gently. You can make the problem worse if you blow your nose too hard.
• Take a decongestant or antihistamine if you have an allergy.
• Rinse your nostrils with a saline nasal spray.
• Take a steamy shower.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Place a warm, wet washcloth over your bridge of the nose.
• If you're still experiencing discomfort, try home remedies like an inhalation vapor ointment, spicy food, or massaging your nose with soap.
• See a doctor if after a week you still have a stuffy nose or if you develop new symptoms.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Quick fixes for kids and adults

1. Be careful when you blow your nose. If your nose is blocked but you don't have a runny nose, don't try to forcefully blow it out. This also applies if the mucus does not come out easily when you blow your nose. Your first idea might be to blow your nose hard until some snot comes out, but it's best to leave your tissues. Only blow your nose when the mucus is running out.
   • Multiple blowing of your nose will make the delicate mucous membranes in your nostrils even more inflamed, which will quickly make your nose more congested. It may seem counterintuitive at first, but you'll really start to feel better if you use tissues less often.
2. Take an over-the-counter decongestant or antihistamine. Depending on the cause of your stuffy nose, over-the-counter remedies may be able to provide some relief. You can choose from the following resources:
   • If you have a cold, get a decongestant. Decongestants reduce swelling and inflammation in your nasal passages so you can breathe more easily. You can take them orally as a pill or use a decongestant in the form of a nasal spray. Note that it is recommended that you only use such nasal sprays for three consecutive days. You can use oral decongestants for a maximum of seven days.
   • If you have an allergy like hay fever, get an antihistamine. If your nasal congestion is caused by an allergy, an antihistamine will both dissolve the congestion and soothe other symptoms such as sneezing. Know that some antihistamines can make you drowsy. Look for drugs that are non-narcotic to use during the day and wait before driving or working with heavy machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.
3. Use a saline nasal spray. Such a nasal spray consists of a saline solution packed in a handy applicator. No drugs or drugs have been added to it. The saline solution will soothe the inflammation in your nose as well as flush out all the mucus and bacteria from your nose.
   • Buy the spray or make your own nasal spray. You can purchase sterile saline nasal sprays at most drug stores. If you have your own nasal aspirator or balloon syringe, you can make your own saline solution by mixing 1/4 teaspoon of salt into 250 ml of warm, sterile water.
   • Lean over the sink and let the tip of your nose point toward the drain. In this position, the water can easily flow out of your nose.
   • Slowly squirt the saline solution into one nostril at a time. If you are using a balloon syringe, squeeze it slightly to let the air out, dip the syringe in the saline solution, and release the balloon-shaped portion. Squeeze the balloon-shaped part again to inject the saline solution into your nostril.
   • Allow the solution to drain completely before injecting again.
   • Use the saline solution two to three times a day.
   • Learn how to use a neti pot if you want to use an alternative method of flushing your paranasal sinuses with saline.
4. Use steam to reduce clogging. The moisture and heat from the steam will soothe inflammation and help you breathe more easily. The good news about this method is that you can use steam as often as you need to, including using a humidifier constantly until you feel better.
   • Take a steamy shower. Close the bathroom door to prevent steam from escaping and turn on the hot tap. If you don't want to take a shower, just open the shower tap and breathe in the steam that fills the bathroom.
   • Inhale the steam from a pot of boiling water. Bring the water to a light boil and gently hold your head over it to inhale the steam. Just make sure you don't burn yourself.
   • Use a humidifier or a vaporizer. These devices can be very useful when you sleep. Make sure to follow the cleaning instructions for the devices as mold can easily grow in them. This will only make your symptoms worse.
5. Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of fluids will thin the mucus in your nose so you can get it out more easily. The extra moisture in your body will also soothe your irritated nasal passages and keep your sinuses from getting blocked.
   • For some people, it helps to drink warm liquids when they have a stuffy nose. Consider herbal tea, broth, or soup.
6. Place a warm compress over your nose. Wet a washcloth with hot water, lie down and place the washcloth over your bridge of your nose so that your sinuses are covered but your nostrils are clear. If it starts to feel uncomfortable and cold, re-wet the washcloth.
   • You may need to reheat the washcloth a few times before you can benefit from this method, so be patient. Try using a compress while doing something relaxing, such as listening to music or watching TV.
7. Use an ointment for inhalation vapor. Most inhaled vapor or chest ointments contain menthol, eucalyptus and / or camphor. Some people believe that these agents reduce congestion when their vapors are inhaled. Popular types of ointment that you can use for this purpose include Vicks VapoRub, Tiger Balm, and Dampo. The ingredients in these remedies can be effective in clearing a stuffy nose in some people, but there is not enough evidence to show that these remedies are effective in treating cold symptoms. Use the remedies in the following ways to get some relief:
   • Apply the ointment to your throat or chest before going to sleep. These areas are close enough to your nose that you can breathe in the fumes while sleeping, but not so close that the ointment irritates your eyes.
   • Put some inhalation vapor ointment on a tissue, then hold the tissue in front of your nose and breathe in deeply.
   • If you don't have an inhalation vapor ointment at home, dab one or two drops of peppermint oil under your nose. This should have the same effect.
8. Sleep with your head up. If you notice your nose getting more stuffy when you lie down, try tilting your head a little higher. Put an extra pillow under your head or sleep in a lounger.
9. Use adhesive nose strips. These thin white adhesive strips apply to your bridge of the nose and are intended to manually make your nostrils slightly larger so that you can breathe more easily. In some stores these nasal strips can be sold as anti-snoring strips.
10. Eat spicy foods. If your sinuses are clogged, consider eating a dish that is slightly spicier than what you normally like. Drink a lot of water while eating. You should have a runny nose at the end of the meal. Blow as much snot out of your nose as possible.
11. Rub soap on your nose. This method can help if you only have a stuffy nose. When taking a shower or bath, grab some soap and wet your finger so that you can easily run it over your skin. Massage both sides of your nose for a while. This should soften your nose and the heat should make the snot drain easily.

Method 2 of 4: Treating a baby

1. Look out for a stuffy nose in babies. Because babies are not yet able to breathe through their mouths, a stuffy nose can become a serious problem, especially when breastfeeding your child. You cannot just blow a baby's nose and therefore you will have to remove the mucus in a different way.
2. Use saline nasal drops to loosen the mucus. Place your baby on a flat surface with a rolled up towel under his or her shoulders to keep the head tilted back. Put a few drops of saline solution in both nostrils and wait 30 to 60 seconds.
   • To make your own saline solution, mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt with 125ml of lukewarm water.
3. Let the snot drain. Put your baby on the stomach to let the mucus drain. There are two ways you can manually remove snot:
   • Roll up a tissue paper into a small cone and wipe the nostrils with it. Stitch never cotton swabs in a baby's nose.
   • Use a balloon syringe or nasal aspirator to remove the mucus. Squeeze the device to push out some air, insert the nasal aspirator into the front part of the nostril and gently release the balloon-shaped part. Squeeze the snot that comes out of the nose onto a tissue.
4. Know when to call a doctor. A stuffy nose can cause serious problems for a baby if he or she is bothered by it for too long. Get help if you notice the following symptoms:
   • The constipation makes it difficult for the baby to eat.
   • The baby has a fever.
   • The baby is breathing very slowly and quickly.

Method 3 of 4: Know when to see a doctor

1. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have a blocked nose for more than seven days. If you have a very stuffy nose for more than a week, you probably have something more serious than an allergy or the common cold. Also watch for the following symptoms:
   • Swelling on the forehead, around the eyes or cheeks that may indicate a sinus infection
   • Blurred vision
   • White or yellow patches in the back of the throat
   • Coughing up yellow-green or gray mucus

Method 4 of 4: Make boiled onion tea for babies

This is an old homemade home remedy. If you are concerned that your baby cannot breathe properly, see your doctor or call 911 right away.

1. Place a few large chunks of onion and about 500 ml of water in a small saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil. Let the mixture cook until the water changes color or the onion pieces soften. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature.
3. Give 90 to 120 ml of the mixture to the baby after it cools down. This will help clear the nose. Make sure to check how hot the tea is first to make sure it has cooled down enough to safely give to your baby.

Tips

• Rub coconut oil under your irritated nose. Blowing your nose can cause your skin to become dry and irritated. Coconut oil can rehydrate your skin and also acts as an antiseptic and anti-microbial agent.
• Place bath salts with menthol and eucalyptus in a sink or bowl of steaming hot water. Place a towel over your head and around the edge of the sink or bowl. Inhale the steam until the water turns cold. This is kind of a sauna for your head.
• Try to breathe in some fresh air. If you don't have hay fever, this can sometimes help you feel better.
• If you put an ointment on your chest, put a heating pad or a warm compress on your chest. This ensures that the vapor reaches your nose.
• Use steam as it will certainly help you. Do not rub your nose with a cloth handkerchief, but use a tissue paper.
• Buy a pillow that you can sleep and rest on comfortably and make sure it is soft or firm enough for you to sleep on.
• Chew on strong peppermint or gum to release your sinuses. This will allow you to breathe more easily and the inflammation will largely disappear.
• Gently rub the sides of your nose with one or two hands. Start on the bridge of the nose between your eyes and gently rub both sides in circular motions, working your way down until you reach your nostrils. Repeat this method a few times (it depends on how much your nose is blocked). The snot will drip from your nose. During this massage you have to keep your head over the sink and turn on the hot tap. You can also do this after putting a warm compress over your nose. Just make sure to keep your nostrils clear.
• Make sure you get enough sleep. Getting too little sleep can make your nose more congested and your cold worse.
• Cough sweets can help loosen the snot in your nose. It is best to use pastilles with menthol or eucalyptus.

Warnings

• Be careful when using steam or a steam inhaler. You can burn yourself badly from the boiling steam.
• Never put a cotton swab in your nostrils.