Q&A for How to Clear a Stuffy Nose

You are probably blowing too hard and breaking small blood vessels in your nose. You should try to be more gentle, blowing your nose-- try using steam or a hot compress before you blow your nose to loosen up the mucus, making it easier to blow out.  Also, try blowing only one nostril at a time.  You do not want to blow your nose so hard that it causes a nose bleed.  If your nose does start to bleed, pinch your nose with your thumb and index fingers to get it to stop bleeding.  Use a hot compress or steam before you try and blow it again. Also, make sure you drink at least 8-10 eight ounce glasses of water when you are stuffy. You can also try a NetiPot or nasal wash product.

If you are having trouble sleeping, then it may be best to find out why your nose is stuffy. It might be due to a cold or it could be allergies. Your doctor should be able to help you figure this out. If your stuffy nose is due to allergies, then sleeping with your head slightly elevated, washing sheets and pillows regularly, and not sleeping with pets in your bed are all helpful. Before bed, you can also use an over-the-counter nasal saline spray to rinse out allergens and any mucous that has built up during the day.

Try switching as much as possible to unprocessed, whole foods (whole grain foods,fruits, vegetables and lean protein like poultry).  There are some foods that can increase mucus and increase blocked noses-- you should avoid these foods-- the most common foods that increase mucus are dairy foods (milk, cheese, milk-based yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese), gluten-containing foods (made with wheat, barley, rye) and beverages that contain caffeine (coffee, tea, some sodas).  You should also avoid foods that contain high fructose corn syrup.

It depends. You should consider some things before you decide. First, when are your nasal problems the worst? If they are worst during the day, then try the spray first thing in the morning. If you get stuffy at night, try the spray after brushing your teeth or right after eating dinner. If you have problems both day and night then using the spray twice a day would be wise. If you tend to forget to use it, I would recommend keeping the spray next to your toothbrush. Always talk to your doctor about how you are putting the medicine into your nose as there are several things that can make the medicine not work as well, such as blowing your nose immediately after use.

Try the hot compresses, steam treatments or the Vick's VapoRub first.  You can also try an herbal decongestant called Pinosol.  There are some OTC decongestants that may be used-- talk to your doctor and pharmacist about trying Coricidin HBP. 

Try using a saline nasal rinse in your nose one to two times per day. You should also talk to your doctor because there are some medicines that work for both nose problems and asthma problems.

If your child's stuffy nose is due to a cold, put 1-2 drops of nasal saline into each nostril every 2-3 hours. Keep your 9 year old well hydrated by encouraging warm fluids. Let them take a shower and encourage them to gently blow their nose after.

If you have not been able to breathe well through your nose for weeks, it might be a good idea to see your medical provider. It is likely that you suffer from allergic rhinitis and simple lifestyle modifications and a steroid nasal spray, such as Flonase, may help to clear your stuffy nose. Keep in mind that steroid nasal sprays take 1-2 weeks to reach their maximum effectiveness. Again, it is best to talk to your doctor and find the root cause of your stuffy nose to get the best treatment plan for you.