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There's nothing more relieving than the feeling of a blocked nose finally clearing. It’s just a shame that it’s often the last thing to happen when recovering from a cold or flu. To help things move along next time your nose isn’t breathing easy, try these home remedies for blocked nose.
‘How to open blocked nose’, ‘home remedies for blocked nose’, these are common questions when suffering from a flu or cold. From a steamy shower to foods like ginger, we’ll share everything you need to know about using these natural remedies for how to soothe a sore nose inside.
Pinpointing what causes a sore nose
Before using any blocked nose remedies, it’s important to know the cause of your blocked nose – also known as rhinitis – so you can treat it appropriately. If you’ve been suffering from nasal congestion which won’t go away, have a chat with your pharmacist or GP for medical advice and reassurance.
Rhinitis can be allergic, non-allergic or caused by bacteria. Here are a few things that could be what causes a sore nose for you:1
- Winter cold.
- Sinus infection.
- Allergies, including pollen, pet dander and dust.
- Environmental changes.
- Stress.
- Drugs.
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
How to sooth a sore nose inside - 7 natural blocked nose remedies
Now you have figured out what the sore nose causes are, it’s time to take steps to help relieve the stuffy feeling. Here are seven simple home remedies for sore nose from blowing:
1. Utilise steam
Whether you choose a steam from a pot of boiling water and essential oils, a hot shower, or a long bath when you feel congested, steam really helps. Inhaling steam helps to break down mucus, allowing it to drain more easily and open up your passageways.2 If you don’t want to use a shower or bath, follow these how to open blocked nose home remedies:
- Fill a bowl with boiling water.
- Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or vapour rub (optional).
- Cover your head with a towel to contain the steam.
- Hold your head over the bowl for 3-5 minutes.
- Repeat these steps 2-3 times a day to keep your nasal passages clear.
Safety warning: Accidents with hot water can cause serious burns, so take care to keep the bowl on a steady surface and stay mindful of any young children or pets nearby. 3
2. Invest in a humidifier for your home
A specially designed humidifier at home helps to add moisture to the air which works like magic for decongesting your nasal passages and soothing your stuffy nose.4 It can also help to soothe dry eyes and sore throats – other symptoms you may have alongside your stuffy nose.
Keep a packet of Cushelle pocket tissues at hand when your nose is feeling stuffy – they’re designed to protect skin from irritation when your nose is blocked, but they’re strong enough to withstand a few decent nose-blows.
In fact, they’re so strong they’ll even survive a trip through the wash if they’re accidentally left in a pocket! Cushelle tissues are there for your blocked nose no matter what, but we’re not medical experts. Always seek professional advice if you are worried about a persistent stuffy nose.
3. Good old ginger
Our grandparents often tell us about the good old days, and they often have some fantastic advice to offer when it comes to sharing a home remedy for blocked nose at night and other ailments. These simple steps will show you just why ginger root is one of their best blocked nose remedies:5
- Add 4-5 slices of fresh ginger to a cup of boiling water.
- Leave the ginger to infuse for 5-10 minutes.
- Drink the water in sips once it has cooled.
- As well as working well to help you unblock nasal congestion, it also works wonders on sore throats when drunk.
Alternatively, you could soak a cotton cloth in the ginger water and place it on your face for 10 minutes. The heat, together with the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger, helps mucus to drain and unblock a stuffy nose.
4. Get your fill of vitamins – especially vitamin C
A vitamin boost will help support your natural immune system, and your immune system helps you fight against the bacteria and viruses that cause nasal congestion.6 Here are a few top ways to get your vitamin C fix to use as a nose burning treatment at home:
- Fruits including kiwi, lemon, and papaya.
- Veg including cauliflower, spinach, and bell peppers.
If you want to get a vitamin fix without eating raw fruit and veg, why not blend up a delicious smoothie instead?
5. Don’t forget to stay hydrated
How does drinking and staying hydrated affect your nose? It’s all about the mechanics. Choosing the correct drinks7 will not only help keep you hydrated but also thin mucus, so it doesn’t clog up thickly and it’s easier to get rid of when you blow your nose. The best drinks to help you stay hydrated and aid a home remedy for blocked nose at night are:
- Water.
- Hot drinks such as lemon and honey.
- Fresh fruit juices.
6. Give apple cider vinegar a try
An apple cider vinegar solution is a surprisingly effective and all-natural way to relieve a stuffy nose of that congestion.8 Here are the ingredients you need to mix together for the penultimate option on our list on how to stop nose burning home remedies:
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
- 1 tablespoon of honey.
- 1 cup of warm water.
7. Use over-the-counter decongestants
You can buy decongestants, nasal sprays and more over the counter without a prescription, and these are all viable remedies for a stuffy nose that won’t unblock. Always follow the instructions on the label and speak to your GP if you’re unsure of:
- How to use nasal sprays or decongestants.
- How frequently to use nasal sprays or decongestants.
- If you should avoid any over-the-counter decongestants, i.e., if you’re pregnant or taking other medications.
There you have it. Now you know how to soothe a sore nose inside, what causes a sore nose, and the best nose burning treatment at home for you. Next time you have a blocked-up nose, try one (or several) of these natural home remedies to relive stuffy nose of mucus, and keep a pack of Cushelle facial tissues handy so you can blow your nose hygienically.
Sources
2 Steam inhalation, Fife Health & Social Care Partnership, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
3 Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial, Paul Little, Beth Stuart, Mark Mullee, Tammy Thomas, Sophie Johnson, Gerry Leydon, David Rabago, Samantha Richards-Hall, Ian Williamson, Guiqing Yao, James Raftery, Shihua Zhu, Michael Moore. CMAJ Sep 2016, 188 (13) 940-949; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.160362
4 Effectiveness of humidification, National Library of Medicine
5 Ginger extract versus Loratadine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
6 Vitamin C in prevention and treatment of the common cold, National Library of Medicine
7 The dos and don’ts of easing cold symptoms, Johns Hopkins Medicine
8 Authenticating apple cider vinegar's home remedy claims, National Library of Medicine
