A blocked nose is perhaps one of the most common and most hated conditions! It just seems so hard to go about your day with a bandh naak or even worse, starts to drip. But kya aap jante hai what exactly happens when you end up with a blocked nose?
Your nose consists of a large network of blood vessels that have valves that open and close. In case of an infection or allergy, the nasal nerves get stimulated and these valves open up, resulting in more blood entering your nose. This, in turn, causes swelling in your nasal passage and you end up with a stuffy nose.
But don’t worry, as annoying as that is, a stuffy nose is quite easy to treat. Read on to know how you can get rid of a blocked nose using simple home remedies.
7 Possible Causes Of A Blocked Nose
A stuffy nose causes a lot of discomfort. It might not exactly be a cause of concern, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying. Let’s find out what may cause this super annoying condition?
A blocked nose can be a result of:
- Sinus infection
- Allergies may cause constant blocked nose but no cold
- Flu or Common cold
- Deviated nasal symptoms
- Chronic sinusitis
- Nasal polyps
- Asthma
7 Home Remedies For Blocked Nose That Truly Work
Here are a few simple, easy-to-follow home remedies for blocked nose that will give you some much-needed relief in no time!
1. Steam Inhalation
This remedy for a stuffy nose is as old as time. It’s simple, effective and comes without any side effects. If you already have a steamer, that’s great. However, in case you do not have one, follow this method to use steam inhalation for nasal congestion.
Method:
- Boil a pot of water. You may add antiseptic herbs to the water.
- Pour the hot water into a wide-mouthed vessel or bowl.
- Now place a towel over your head (covering the bowl of hot water as well) and take in the steam).
- Repeat a few times for instant relief from a stuffy nose. You can use this remedy 2-3 times a day until you feel better.
2. Adrak (Ginger)
Another nani ma ka nuskha that can offer relief from nasal congestion is adrak or ginger. This household ingredient comes loaded with anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties as well as antioxidants. Here’s how to use ginger as a compressor for treating a clogged nose.
Methods:
- Take two cups of water in a pot, add a few ginger pieces to it and boil.
- Now soak a fresh, clean washcloth in this solution.
- Gently keep the washcloth on your face for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Repeat a few times.
You can also have ginger tea 2 to 3 times a day to get relief from a stuffy nose, sore throat, and other symptoms of common cold.
3. Hot Shower
If a constant blocked nose but no cold is making it hard for you to breathe, this instant solution can help! A hot water shower can help you relax and breathe better if you are suffering from a stuffy nose. And how will taking a shower help when you are ill help you, you may ask? Well, the steam you inhale from the hot shower helps in thinning and draining the mucus in your nasal passages, thus, reducing sinus pain and pressure. But keep in mind this treatment for blocked nose at night only works well for providing short term relief.
4. Kali Mirch (Black Pepper) & Shehed (Honey)
These kitchen staples can be used for the treatment for blocked nose at night. Here is how you can prepare a kadha using kali mirch and honey.
Method:
- Take some water in a pot.
- Add a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of black pepper to the water.
- Mix the ingredients and boil the water.
- Pour the mixture into a cup and drink for instant relief from a blocked nose.
5. Warm Compress
This is another tried and tested nasal congestion treatment, which you can fall back on when nothing else works. A warm compress helps relieve discomfort and irritation, reduce inflammation, and open blocked nasal passages.
Method:
- Take a bowl of warm water and soak a clean towel or washcloth in it. Make sure to wring the cloth to get rid of excess water.
- Fold the washcloth and keep it on your forehead or nose.
- Repeat this blocked nose treatment a few times for best results.
6. Rinsing Your Nose With A Saline Solution
The saline solution will help drain out mucus and other impurities, giving you clear nasal passages.
Saline nasal solutions can be useful in unclogging your stuffy nose by getting rid of excess mucus and sinus secretions. All you have to do is squeeze the solution into one nostril and let it come out of the other. The saline solution will help drain out mucus and other impurities, giving you clear nasal passages. Moreover, salt-based solutions are also known to eliminate bacteria that may be worsening the condition. You can buy a saline rinse kit or a nasal spray for instant relief from a stuffy nose.
7. Fluid Intake
An increase in fluid intake will make it easier for the congested sinuses to drain by thinning the mucus in your nasal passages.
Although this nasal congestion treatment will not exactly provide instant relief, it will give you more long-lasting results. An increase in fluid intake will make it easier for the congested sinuses to drain by thinning the mucus in your nasal passages. Once the pressure in your sinuses decreases, the irritation and inflammation will also go down. Water, juices, soups, hot tea…the choice is yours. Although warm liquids are recommended if you also have a sore throat.
5 Reasons Why You May Have To Seek Medical Help
If these home remedies for blocked nose fail to offer some relief, you may need to consult a medical expert for finding the underlying cause and getting proper treatment.
- Your nose remains blocked for more than a week despite using home remedies and OTC solutions.
- If you are having a lot of trouble breathing (either through your nose or mouth)
- You have other symptoms like severe coughing, tightness in the chest, and green mucus.
- You are experiencing facial pain, ear pain or headaches along with a stuffy nose.
- If you have a fever, which fails to go away despite using remedies or self-medication.
If popping a pill every time you feel under the weather is not really your style, these home remedies are perfect for you. But remember to #BeALittleMore conscious when it comes to your health and well-being. If your blocked nose does not get better in a few days or in case the symptoms you are experiencing are rather severe, seek the help of a medical practitioner without further delay.
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