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How to Get Rid of a Stuffed Nose

A stuffed nose is downright annoying, and can make it hard to breathe well. Environmental irritants, allergies, illness, or even the weather could cause it. Whatever the cause, you can get rid of a stuffed nose with home remedies and medicines.

Things You'll Need

  • Neti pot
  • Nasal spray
  • Allergy or cold medicine
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a neti pot to rinse out your sinuses naturally and get rid of a stuffed nose. Use warm water to fill the neti pot and then add the contents of the salt packet that comes with it. Stir or shake gently. Over a sink, tilt your head to the side and lean forward. Put the tip to one nostril. Tilt the neti pot up slowly so the saltwater goes into one nostril and out the other. Do not hold your breath when doing this. Repeat once per day.

    • 2

      Use steam. Go to the bathroom and turn the shower on hot. Do not touch the water. Just make sure there is steam in the bathroom from the heat of the water. Sit in the bathroom taking deep breaths for about 20 minutes. Also boil water or make a hot bowl of chicken soup and breathe the steam through your nose.

    • 3

      Eat foods with ginger, garlic and/or onion. All of these foods can help. For immediate relief, peel an onion, cut it in half and sniff in the smell of the onion. This can help clear out your sinuses. Spicy foods can help, too. Try a bowl of chili, a taco salad, nachos, chips and salsa, or Thai food.

    • 4

      Use an over-the-counter nasal spray. Try a saline spray first, as this has no medicine in it. It is an all-natural salt spray. If this does not work for you, try a medicated nasal spray, such as Vick's nasal spray. You could also ask your doctor for a prescription nasal spray.

    • 5

      Massage just behind your ear lobes with your thumbs, the outer corners of your eyes with your forefinger, and your nostrils' outer corners with your middle fingers. This can help temporarily get rid of a stuffed nose with nothing but your hands.

    • 6

      Try a cold and allergy medication such as an over-the-counter allergy medication or a cold medication with an antihistamine in it. This active ingredient can help to get rid of a stuffed nose. However, if you are still needing to take it after about five days, see your doctor.

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