Effective Stuffy Nose Relief: Simple Home Remedies

Whether it's from a cold or allergies, having a stuffy nose is no fun. A stuffy nose can make it hard to sleep at night, leaving you feeling even more miserable. There are several ways to cure your stuffy nose so you can breathe easier.

Steam

• Steam can help clear a stuffy nose. Try taking a hot shower without turning on a fan to see if that helps clear your stuffy nose. An alternative is to use a vaporizer to add steam into the air, being careful not to get too close to the steam to avoid burns. Eucalyptus oil or menthol can be added to the steam to help cure your stuffy nose.

Nasal Sprays

• Nasal sprays can help moisturize your nasal cavities, preventing them from drying out. This preventative measure keeps your nasal cavities from cracking and being susceptible to the germs that cause your nose to get stuffy in the first place.

Nasal Irrigation

• Nasal irrigation uses a saltwater solution to flush out the naval cavity. Neti pot use is a popular way to flush out nasal passages. With head tilted at a 45-degree angle over a sink, pour the saltwater solution gently into one nostril. The water should flow down into and out of the other nostril.

Hot Mustard or Wasabi

• Eating some hot mustard or wasabi can clear stuffy noses very quickly. Both are very hot, so this cure is not for the faint of heart. Be sure to have plenty of tissues ready to blow your nose and clear it out.

Medicine

• There are several medications available to clear a stuffy nose. These medicines can help thin mucus enough to clear out by blowing. The antihistamine in allergy medications can prevent stuffy noses by blocking allergens from causing stuffy noses. Talk to your doctor to find the right medication for you.