To relieve a stuffy nose, try nasal washes with a neti pot, inhaling steam, eating chicken soup, or using decongestants. OTC medicines like Sudafed or nasal sprays can also help, but avoid using nasal sprays for more than a few days.
“Keeping the head elevated above the level of the heart can help minimize the amount of blood that pools in the nasal tissues, causing congestion.” Other ways to help clear the nasal passages and provide relief include taking a hot shower, using a humidifier, or breathing in the steam of a hot cup of water or tea.
Using your index and middle fingers, apply pressure near your nose between your cheekbones and jaw. Move your fingers in a circular motion toward your ears. You can use your thumbs instead of your fingers for a deeper massage. This should take 30 seconds to a minute.
Eustachian tube massage is one home remedy. To do this, you: Use your finger to find a bony bump behind your ear lobe. Slide your finger down until you feel a groove between your earlobe and jaw.
Start with four fingertips (not your thumb) on each of your eyebrows at the innermost point, nearest your nose. Use your fingertips to slowly sweep up and out over your brow line from your nose to your temples. With each sweep, move up your forehead about a half inch until you reach your hairline.
Vicks VapoRub doesn't clear up congestion in the nose. But its strong menthol odor may trick your brain. So you might feel like you're breathing through an unclogged nose. Vicks VapoRub is an ointment that's rubbed on the throat and chest to relieve a cough.
Gently press and close the nostril that does not have the object in it. Ask the person to blow gently. This may help push the object out. Avoid blowing the nose too hard or repeatedly.
The best position to sleep with a stuffy nose is typically on your back with your head slightly elevated13. A blocked nose at night often feels worse as your body position causes more blood to flow to your nose, increasing the swelling14.
Nasal irrigation, also known as sinus rinsing, is the practice of moving a saline (saltwater) solution through your nasal passages to clear out mucus and flush out debris and allergens. Irrigation devices, such as neti pots, squeeze bottles and rubber nasal bulbs, push the water through one nostril and out the other.
Clear congestion: The best medicines for a stuffy nose are decongestants. They help open nasal passageways by reducing swelling. Active ingredients to look for include pseudoephedrine (in pills or liquid), phenylephrine (in nasal sprays) and oxymetazoline (in nasal sprays).
Breathe in Some Steam
Inhaling steam is a simple and effective way to clear congested sinuses. Boil a pot of water and carefully transfer it to a heatproof bowl or take a hot shower. Place a towel over your head, lean over the bowl, and inhale the steam deeply through your nose. Make sure the steam isn't too hot!
Certain essential oils, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree oil, are known for their decongestant properties. Otolaryngologists often suggest inhaling these oils through a diffuser or steam inhalation to alleviate nasal congestion naturally.
To relieve a stuffy nose, try nasal washes with a neti pot, inhaling steam, eating chicken soup, or using decongestants. OTC medicines like Sudafed or nasal sprays can also help, but avoid using nasal sprays for more than a few days.
Centered on the bridge of your nose and the inner side of your upper eyelid, this point can be activated by placing your fingers into the tiny hollows between your eyebrows and nose and gently applying pressure.
Be sure to read product labels to find the best cold preparation to match your symptoms and to determine if that medicine is safe for you. To dry out the nose and relieve nasal obstruction, try a traditional antihistamine (diphenhydramine [Benadryl®], others).
Another way to do it is to get you to “pop” your ears on a more regular basis, about 20 times per day, often by closing your nostrils with your hand and blowing gently against that pressure. The pressure should help force the Eustachian tube to open a bit, draining pressure and any fluid that's in that space.
The Muncie Technique teaches to go past the tonsils and contact behind the Eustachian tube where a pumping motion is applied. In contrast, the Modified Muncie Technique does not go as deep. Therefore, it makes it easier on you as there is less of a gag reflex, but may take a few visits before the desired result.
You Can Try Putting Hydrogen Peroxide Drops into Your Ear
You might need to repeat this several times a day for a couple of days, but ultimately, the blockage should clear.