How To Clear A Stuffy Nose And Congestion: Tips For Relief - Healthline

Maybe your like

HealthlineSubscribeExplore more in Allergies

Related Topics

Types
Types
Related Articles
- Types
- Deodorant
- Cockroach
- Lavender
- Citrus
- Wool
- Drug
- Sulfa
- Perfume
- Polyester
- Grass
- Hair Dye
- Horse
- Insect Sting
- Beer
- Latex Condoms
- Carpet
- Seasonal
- Dog
- Alcohol
- Tea
- Cat
- Iodine
- Mosquito Bite
- Dust Mite
- Atopy
- Ingested vs. Contact vs. Inhaled
- Environmental
- Pollen
- Eye
- Winter
- Latex
- Nickel
- Nightshade
- Morning
- Itchy Eyes
- Ragweed
- Children's
- Essential Oil
- Honey
- Wine
- Yeast
Causes & Risk Factors
Causes & Risk Factors
Related Articles
- Causes & Risk Factors
- Plant Allergens
- Fall Allergens
- Beach Allergens
- Airborne Allergens
- Histamine
- Developing Allergies
- Black Mold
Symptoms
Symptoms
Related Articles
- Symptoms
- Drug Allergy Symptoms
- Mold Allergy Symptoms
- Allergic Shiners
- Facial Swelling
- Tiredness
- Fever
- Severe Symptoms
- Constant Runny Nose
- Nasal Congestion
- Itchy Throat
- Tingling Lips
- Itchy Mouth
- Wheezing
- Nasal Crease
- Tickle in Nose
- Dust Mite Rash
- Dizziness
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Related Articles
- Diagnosis
- Home Tests
- Seeing an Allergist
- RAST vs. Skin Test
- Testing for Children
- Skin Prick Test
Treatment
Treatment
Related Articles
- First Aid for Allergic Reaction
- Drops
- Shots
- Treating Hives
- Steroid Shots
- Managing Allergies While Pregnant
- Treating Insect Sting Allergies
- Corticosteroids
- Nasacort vs. Nasonex
- Flonase vs. Nasonex
- Using an EpiPen
- Sudafed
- Nasal Sprays
- Over-the-Counter Sprays
- Claritin for Kids
- Decongestants
- Over-the-Counter Antihistamines
- Zyrtec for Kids
Home Remedies
Home Remedies
Related Articles
- Home Remedies
- for Children
- Skin Allergy Remedies
- Butterbur
- Bee Pollen
- Neti Pots
- Natural Antihistimines
- Essential Oils
- Honey
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- CBD
- Foods for Seasonal Allergies
- Vitamin C
- Relieving Stuffy Nose
Prevention
Prevention
Related Articles
- Prevention
- Hypoallergenic Dogs
- Preparing for Outdoor Activities
- Air Purifiers
- Dyson Air Purifiers
- HEPA Air Purifiers
- Hypoallergenic Labels
- Air Filter FAQ
- Personal Air Purifiers
- HEPA Air Filters
- Humidifiers
Management
Management
Related Articles
- Management
- Allergy Apps
- Managing Allergies Outdoors
Complications
Complications
Related Articles
- Complications
- Allergic Bronchitis
- Allergic Conjunctivitis
- Angioedema
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Antihistamine Overdose
- Anaphylaxis
- Allergic Asthma
- Tinnitus
- Nasal Polyps
- Headache
Related Conditions
Related Conditions
Related Articles
- Dry Eye
- Pink Eye
- Cold
- Ear Infection
- Sinus Infection
- Sore Throat
- COPD
- Histamine Intolerance

How to Clear a Stuffy Nose

Medically reviewed by Kelsey Nank, PA-C — Written by Kimberly Holland — Updated on April 16, 2025

Humidifier
Shower
Fluids
Saline spray
Neti pot
Warm compress
Medications
Takeaway

A stuffy nose can be due to mucus or inflamed blood vessels in your sinuses and often develops when you’re sick. Other than taking medications, several home remedies can help unclog your nose.

A stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, can be frustrating and often affect your day-to-day life.

Many people think a stuffy nose results from too much mucus in the nasal passages. However, a clogged nose is usually the result of inflamed blood vessels in the sinuses. A cold, the flu, allergies, or a sinus infection can all inflame these blood vessels.

Regardless of the reason for your stuffed-up nose, there are easy ways to relieve it.

Use a humidifier

A humidifier can be a quick and easy way to reduce sinus pain and help relieve nasal congestion.

The machine converts water to moisture that slowly fills the air, increasing the humidity in a room.

Breathing in this moist air can soothe irritated tissues and swollen blood vessels in your nose and sinuses. Some people claim that heated, humidified air can also help congested mucus drain better.

However, reviews showed mixed results.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of nasal congestion, you may still benefit from placing humidifiers around your house or office.

Learn more about How to Choose and Use a Humidifier for Sinusitis.

Take a shower

Have you ever had a stuffy nose and found that you could breathe so much better after a hot shower? There may be a good reason for that.

Steam from a shower may help to thin out the mucus in your nose and reduce inflammation. Taking a hot shower can help your breathing return to normal, at least for a little while.

You can get the same effect by breathing in steam from hot water in a sink. Here’s how:

Turn on the hot water in your bathroom sink.
Once the temperature is right, place a towel over your head and put your head over the sink.
Allow the steam to build, and take in deep breaths.
Be careful not to burn your face on the hot water or steam.

Learn more about the benefits of steam inhalation.

Stay hydrated

It’s important to drink plenty of fluids if you suspect you have a cold or are experiencing flu symptoms.

Maintaining optimum hydration levels can help thin the mucus in your nasal passages, pushing the fluids out of your nose and decreasing the pressure in your sinuses. Less pressure means less inflammation and irritation.

If you’re also experiencing a sore throat, warm liquids like tea may be able to help ease the discomfort in your throat, too.

Use a saline spray

Take hydration one step further with saline, a saltwater solution. Using a nasal saline spray can increase the moisture in your nostrils.

Some saline sprays also include decongestant medication. Talk with your doctor before you begin using saline sprays with decongestants.

Drain your sinuses

It’s not glamorous, but you can clean out your clogged nostrils with a Neti pot. A neti pot is a container designed to flush mucus and fluids out of your nasal passages.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using distilled or sterile water instead of tap water.

Here’s how to use a neti pot:

Stand with your head over a sink.
Place the spout of the neti pot in one nostril.
Tilt the neti pot until water enters your nasal passage.
Once the water flows into your nostril, it will come out through your other nostril and empty into the sink.
Do this for about 1 minute, and then switch sides.

Leaern more about How to Choose and Use a Humidifier for Sinusitis.

Use a warm compress

A warm compress may help alleviate some symptoms of nasal congestion by opening the nasal passages from the outside.

To make a warm compress, first, soak a towel in warm water. Next, squeeze the water out of the towel, then fold it and place it over your nose and forehead.

The warmth can provide comfort from any pain and help relieve the inflammation in the nostrils. Repeat this as often as necessary.

Learn more about How to Make a Dry or Moist Warm Compress.

Take medications

A congested nose can be uncomfortable, but some other over-the-counter (OTC) medications may clear out your nasal passages and bring relief.

Make sure to speak with a pharmacist when choosing a decongestant, antihistamine, or allergy medication. The pharmacist can also answer any questions you may have about a particular medication.

Call your doctor if your stuffy nose doesn’t improve after taking medication for more than 3 days, or if you have a fever as well.

Decongestants

A decongestant medication can help reduce swelling and ease pain associated with irritated nasal passages. Many decongestants are available without a doctor’s prescription.

They come in two forms: nasal spray and pill. Common decongestant nasal sprays include oxymetazoline (Afrin) and phenylephrine (Sinex). Common decongestant pills include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Sudogest).

Be cautious when using decongestants. You shouldn’t take a decongestant for more than 3 days without a doctor’s supervision. After 3 days, a nasal decongestant may actually make your congestion and stuffiness worse.

In addition, people with high blood pressure (hypertension) should not take typical decongestants. Safe alternatives are available, but it may be best to speak with your doctor to assess which medication is right for you.

Discover the 7 best decongestants available over the counter.

Antihistamines or allergy medication

You may want to take an antihistamine or allergy medication if your nasal congestion results from seasonal or environmental allergies. Both types of medications can reduce the swelling in your nasal passages, helping to unclog your sinuses.

Combining drugs containing both an antihistamine and a decongestant can relieve the sinus pressure and swelling caused by allergic reactions.

Follow the instructions for these medications carefully. If you don’t, you may make your condition worse. You should also note that antihistamines might make you drowsy.

If you aren’t sure how an antihistamine will affect you, don’t take this medication when you need to be active or productive.

»MORE:Get an evaluation for seasonal allergies in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Takeaway

Nasal congestion, which many people refer to as a stuffy nose, is the result of inflammation of blood vessels in your sinuses.

If you are experiencing symptoms of nasal congestion, there are a number of home remedies you can try. These include hot showers, warm compresses, and various OTC medications.

Read this article in Spanish.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Common cold. (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/treatment/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/colds.html
https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm316375.htm
Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe? (2023).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6483632/
Singh, M, et al. (2017). Heated, humidified air for the common cold.
Sinus infection. (2019). https://www.cdc.gov/sinus-infection/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/sinus-infection.html

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Kelsey Nank, PA-C — Written by Kimberly Holland — Updated on April 16, 2025

Health Conditions

Condition Spotlight

Wellness Topics

Product Reviews

Featured Programs

Featured

Lessons

Newsletters

Lifestyle Quizzes

Health News

This Just In

Top Reads

Video Series

Find Your Bezzy Community

Follow us on social media

Related Topics

Types

Related Articles

Causes & Risk Factors

Related Articles

Symptoms

Related Articles

Diagnosis

Related Articles

Treatment

Related Articles

Home Remedies

Related Articles

Prevention

Related Articles

Management

Related Articles

Complications

Related Articles

Related Conditions

Related Articles

Use a humidifier

Take a shower

Stay hydrated

Use a saline spray

Drain your sinuses

Use a warm compress

Take medications

Decongestants

Antihistamines or allergy medication

Takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

Read this next

Contact