If you have a case of the sniffles, you may be wondering how to unblock your nose.
It’s no secret that a blocked nose can be incredibly frustrating. Between the persistent drip, difficulty smelling and excessive tissue use, it’s hardly an enjoyable experience.
Blocked noses may be caused by a number of different factors such as a common cold of hay fever.
Read on to discover our handy guide to relieving a sniffly nose. However, if you’re concerned about your health or symptoms persist, talk to your health professional.
Nasal Irrigation
Although it’s not particularly glamourous, draining your sinuses with nasal irrigation is one way to help unblock a nose.
How to do it:
First off, you’ll need to find yourself a container. Pop to your local pharmacy to get a bulb syringe or neti pot.
Next, you’ll need to fill that container. Use tepid water that has been boiled first (to help prevent infection) and talk to your pharmacist about purchasing sachets of prepared salts.
Once you’ve filled your container, lean over a sink, tilt your head so that one nostril is facing downwards and pour the solution slowly and consistently into your other nostril (remember to keep your mouth open).
The solution will drain through your nasal passages and may help to clear away some mucous.
Steam it Out
Using steam may help you to loosen the mucous in your nasal passages, making it easier to blow your nose.
How to do it:
There are a few different methods you can try when it comes to steam.
You could transform your bathroom into a steam room by shutting the doors and windows and running the shower quite warm to hot (not too hot, though) to generate steam.
If you do this, don’t turn the fan on – it’ll suck away all that good steam! And, of course, always remember to be extra careful when walking on damp surfaces.
Once the bathroom is nice and steamy, just sit yourself down and breathe it in. It may help to loosen the mucous and unblock your nose.
Alternatively, why not try a humidifier? You can get them at your local pharmacy and they do pretty much the same job.
Another method you can try is very, very simple. Get a large, heat-safe bowl and fill it with freshly boiled water.
Put it down on a table and park a seat with your face hovering comfortably over the rising steam. For extra effect, try placing a tea towel over the bowl and your head – this will help to trap the steam rather than let it escape.
Warm Compresses
Very similar to using steam, using a warm compress may help to unblock that nose.
How to do it:
Soak a small flannel or towel in hot water, fold it up and rest it along your nasal bridge, upper cheeks and/or forehead (where your sinuses are).
The heat from the compress may help to relieve the discomfort you might feel when your nose is blocked up, and may also help to reduce the inflammation in your sinuses and nostrils.
Saline Nasal Spray
A saline nasal spray may also help to loosen the mucous that’s blocking your nasal passages. If you’re not sure which spray to use, discuss your options with your local pharmacist.
Have you found this information useful? If so you may enjoy the following:
The Most Common Illnesses For Children And How To Spot Them
7 Tips To Teach Your Little One How To Blow Their Nose
Reasons Why Your Child May Have A Runny Nose And How To Help
