6 Ways To Get Rid of a Stuffy Nose

A stuffy nose can be due to a cold, or due to allergies, or an irritation of your nasal cavity. Your nose can also become stuffy as a result of weather changes, exposure to irritating chemicals, or certain odors in the air. 

And regardless of the reason for having a stuffy nose, this condition is usually uncomfortable and often times can be very hard to treat. 

The most important way to start treating a stuffy nose is to first find out what caused it.

If you have a cold then you need to treat the condition to be able to completely get rid of a stuffy nose. 

Try Removing Allergens

If you suffer from allergies, you should first remove the allergen. Then treat your allergies using antihistamines. 

Stay away from smoke and chemicals

If your nose is stuffy because of exposure to smoke, chemicals and other irritating substances. You need to get away from them and then try these strategies for getting rid of a stuffy nose.

The Proper Way to Blow your Nose

Blow your nose one nostril at a time. The most effective and safest way to blow your nose is to:

• Cover one nostril by pressing gently along the nasal opening to block air
• Blow from the open nostril. 
• Blow gently into a handkerchief or tissue. 
• Once one nostril is clear, block its opening and proceed with removing blockage on the other nostril.

Try Steam

Sometimes blowing your nose can worsen your stuffiness. You can use steam to loosen your nasal passages instead. 

The best way to use steam inhalation is to: 

• Boil water in a kettle and as soon as the water boils, remove the kettle from the stove and pour it into a bowl. 
• Couver your head with a towel and drape it over the bowl so the steam go directly to your nose and doesn't escape.
• This will also loosen phlegm and remove blockages from the sinus cavities.

Try these Nighttime Tricks!

If you're looking for ways to get rid of a stuffy nose during the night when your stuffy nose keeps you awake, then this trick is for you. 

The trick is to use a small roll of tissue paper and put it into the stuffy nostril. You will feel better in seconds! 

If not, then you can also try pushing your cheek skin away from your stuffed up nostril (towards your ear). This opens up your nostril and allows air to flow in. If you lay on your side, you can stretch your cheek back then hold it in place with your pillow by firmly laying the side of your face against the pillow.

You can also raise your pillows as you lie down so you can go back to sleep. This position will also help drain your nasal cavity and reduce fluid accumulation that could lead to infections.