How to Clear a Stuffed Sinus Cavity

Stuffy sinuses, whether they are congested due to a cold or flu or allergies, can be miserable. The air doesn't feel like it reaches the back of your sinus cavity and probably doesn't. Moreover, your head feels as if you've been stuffed with a solid block. Although the condition is likely to persist while you're under the weather, it can be temporarily alleviated by rinsing out your sinuses. Because there are no medications involved, you can repeat the procedure as often as you need. Sinus irrigation is even recommended by the John Hopkins Sinus Center as part of the recovery and healing process for patients who have undergone sinus surgery.

Things You'll Need

• Ear wash bulb
• Cup
• Salt
• Water

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Instructions

• 1

  Pour a small amount of salt into the bottom of the cup. Then fill the cup with warm water and dissolve the salt in it.

• 2

  Use a clean ear wash bulb. Squeeze the end of the bulb, and then insert the nozzle end into the saltwater. Release the bulb end so that the bulb will draw saltwater up inside of it.

• 3

  Insert the nozzle end into one nostril. While bending over the bathroom sink, squeeze the bulb hard to shoot the saltwater into your sinuses. It may sting slightly, but that is only salt's naturally antiseptic action. If it stings too much, pour out some of the mix and water it down, because you may have used too much salt. The saltwater should run through your sinuses and drain out the other nostril, taking with it much of the mucus stuffing your nose.

• 4

  Repeat the process, inserting the nozzle into the other nostril. Then repeat for both nostrils until you have washed out enough mucus to breathe more easily.