Home Remedies to Treat Nasal Congestion Cold, cough, running nose and stuffy nose are the most commonly seen health issues for both adults and kids. A nasal congestion or a stuffy nose can occur due to an allergic trigger or another medical condition like common cold or sinusitis. Nasal congestion can be triggered by a number of irritants that can cause inflammation of the nasal passages. These infections could include colds, flu or other irritants like smoke, tobacco etc. Some people suffer from runny nose for no big reason and this condition is known as non-allergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis (VMR). Could a Nasal Congestion be Complicated? Nasal congestion can suddenly get complicated causing a number of symptoms like breathlessness, headaches or inflammation of the tissues around the face. It is important to treat nasal congestions effectively so as to prevent other medical conditions from occurring. Nasal congestion or a sniffy nose by itself is not serious as it is one of the most common conditions of illnesses. Nasal congestions can be treated by simple medications and basic home remedies. Nasal congestion however could make breathing difficult and hence it is important to try all ways to clear out the congestion so that it doesn't interfere with your sleep. Sometimes nasal congestion could be a result of flu or other infections which could get serious if not treated on time. If you think your nasal congestion comes with other symptoms like fever, weakness and body aches it is better to show a doctor and get treated for the same. Home Remedies Effective to Treat Nasal Congestions • Increase your fluid intake: Increasing your fluid intake can help you release the congestion and help you stay hydrated during a nasal congestion. Soups, herbal teas or juices can all be helpful in keeping up the hydration levels in the body which is important for recovery during a nasal congestion. • Steam: The best remedy that has been running through generations and what is the most effective remedy in treating a stuffy nose is to take some steam. Just hold your head on a top of boiling water and cover it with a cloth. Inhale the hot vapors to open up the blocked nasal passages. Similar relief can also be obtained by using a humidifier in your room as you sleep. • Blowing your nose: Although it may seem a little gross, but when it comes to getting relief from blocked nose, there is no better remedy than blowing your nose and getting rid of the mucus that clogs your head. • Saline spray or salt water mist: Saline spray can help in breaking up the congestion in the nose. You can either make your own salt water mist spray or use the prepackaged saline sprays that are easily available in pharmacies. • Keep yourself warm: Staying indoors and in a warm atmosphere can help you recuperate faster. It’s especially important to get rest when you first come down with a cold or the flu. It helps your body direct its energy to fighting off your infection. This battle taxes your body. So give it a little help by lying down under a blanket to stay warm if necessary.
• Drink Hot Liquids: Drinking hot liquids helps in relieving the nasal congestion and soothing the inflammation in the nasal passage and the throat. If your nasal congestion makes sleeping at night difficult, make a hot concoction of fennel seeds, basil leaves boiled together and sipped in hot. • Eucalyptus or menthol oil: Dab a drop or so of eucalyptus, menthol or camphor oil under your nose for improved breathing. The strong smell from this oil helps in opening up the nasal passages and provides immediate relief. If the smell is too strong for you, then just opt for a vapor rub balm that has similar healing properties and helps you sleep better at night. • Hot pack on the sinus: Try dabbing your sinus points with some hot packs. Make sure the temperature is just right and you don't end up burning yourself. For the pack take a damp piece of cloth and heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds and slowly dab this pack around your sinus passage for getting relief from the congestion. • Keep a pillow under your head: This method is helpful especially in the night when the mucus can block your nasal passages. Alleviating your head using a pillow helps in bringing about relief in the breathing so that you can at least have a good night sleep. Remedies to Relieve Nasal Congestion in Babies Nasal congestion in babies can be all the more difficult to handle. While you don't want to overdo the drowsy medications that are commonly given for cold and cough, it is hard to see the baby suffer. Home remedies are particularly helpful in treating nasal congestion in babies as it brings about relief without any side effects. Some of the common remedies to treat blocked nose in babies include: • Steam in the bathroom: It is difficult to get your little one to stay steady and breathe the steam in the traditional way we adults do. Hence in a tub fill in some hot water and close the bath room so that the steam doesn't escape. Stay with the baby in the bathroom so that the steam is well inhaled by the baby. You can also use a humidifier to the same effect. • Saline water drops: These works effectively for babies just as they do for us adults. A few drops of saline water in your baby’s nose can help in relieving nasal congestion. Just one or two drops of the saline water should be enough to dilute the mucus and get it out of the clogged state. • Keep them hydrated: The best way to keep your baby hydrated is by feeding them breast milk throughout the day. When the baby stays hydrated the congestion is the nasal passage is less likely to clog and is more likely to come out in the form of a runny nose which is any day better than a nasal congestion.