Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDrinking Extra FluidsBreathing in SteamFlushing Nasal PassagesNasal Strips & ElevationHumidifiersBioelectronic DevicesOTC MedicinesHome Remedies for KidsSeeking Medical Care

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Drinking Extra Fluids

Breathing in Steam

Flushing Nasal Passages

Nasal Strips & Elevation

Humidifiers

Bioelectronic Devices

OTC Medicines

Home Remedies for Kids

Seeking Medical Care

Having astuffy noseis common, and there are many self-care remedies that you can try from home. Many people are familiar with getting enough fluids, using steam, and flushing nasal passages with saline. But you can also try some lesser-known strategies fornasal congestion.

This article discusses home remedies for a stuffy nose, treatments for kids, and when to see a healthcare provider.

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A man sitting in bed and blowing his nose from allergies or a cold

Drink Plenty of Fluids

Hydration is one of the key instructions healthcare providers often give to people with a stuffy nose, cold, or other respiratory illness. Staying hydrated has the following benefits:

Reach for water, tea, juice, or an electrolyte drink likeGatorade or Pedialyte.

11 Popular Natural Remedies for the Common Cold

Breathe in Steam

Inhaling steam is a long-standing remedy for relievingsinus pressure. While there is a lack of evidence proving its effectiveness, it remains a prominent recommendation.

It can be soothing to use steam for nasal congestion. Although there is a risk ofsteam burns, some people choose to lean over a steaming bowl of water with a towel draped over their heads and the bowl, breathing in the vapor.

A safer alternative—and one that should only be used with children under adult supervision—is sitting in a steamy bathroom, away from the running water. Run a hot shower and sit on the floor in the bathroom for 15 or 20 minutes.

Flush Nasal Passages

Saline nasal irrigation is a common low-risk treatment for nasal congestion. You canflush your sinuseswith the following:

Nasal irrigation thins mucus, clears the airways and reduces swelling in the sinuses.Regardless of the type of device you use, they all generally work the same. To keep your device hygienic, do not share it with anyone, and wash it thoroughly between uses.

Try Nose Strips and Elevate Your Head in Bed

Nose strips and head elevation are other natural methods of helping you breathe easier in bed. Elevating your head may help your nose drain while you sleep, making breathing easier.

How to Stop a Runny Nose Quickly

Sleep With a Humidifier

Humidifiers come in cool mist or hot vapor options. Cool mist is safer and preferred in most situations, especially with young children since it prevents the risk of steam burns.

The Difference Between a Vaporizer and a Humidifier

Use a Bioelectronic Sinus Device

TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators) is a bioelectronic sinus device that uses electronic impulses. One type of TENS machine can help clear sinus congestion. It is recommended for moderate to severe sinus congestion in adults but not in children.

You should not use an electrical nerve stimulator in the following situations:

Speak with a healthcare provider before using a bioelectronic sinus device to ensure it is the right treatment for you.

A Word From VerywellAcupressure may help relieve a stuffy nose. The large intestine 20 (LI20) acupressure point is located on the face at the base of the nose on both sides. Use one finger and press until you feel pressure, not pain. Hold for 30 seconds, and repeat as needed.—ARNO KRONER, DAOM, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

A Word From Verywell

Acupressure may help relieve a stuffy nose. The large intestine 20 (LI20) acupressure point is located on the face at the base of the nose on both sides. Use one finger and press until you feel pressure, not pain. Hold for 30 seconds, and repeat as needed.—ARNO KRONER, DAOM, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

Acupressure may help relieve a stuffy nose. The large intestine 20 (LI20) acupressure point is located on the face at the base of the nose on both sides. Use one finger and press until you feel pressure, not pain. Hold for 30 seconds, and repeat as needed.

—ARNO KRONER, DAOM, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

Arno Kroner, DAOM

Try Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can be just the thing to unblock your sinuses at home. Some OTC options for congestion are:

While Sudafed is available OTC, it is kept in a locked case because it contains pseudoephedrine, an ingredient some people misuse to manufacturemethamphetamines.

Risks associated with pseudoephedrine include cardiovascular and neurological adverse events and what’s known asrebound congestion, in which nasal congestion gets worse after getting better.Use decongestants judiciously, with the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Nasal steroid sprays and antihistamines may be good options for those experiencing a stuffy nose due to allergies.

The Best Home Remedies for a Stuffy Nose in Children

When it comes to a child with a stuffy nose, options include:

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

If your stuffy nose does not improve, you may have asinus infection. While you don’t always requireantibiotics for a sinus infection, a healthcare provider can help determine if it’s the right course of action.

Experts recommend seeing a healthcare provider in the following situations:

Sinus Infection vs. Cold: How to Tell the Difference

Summary

Many treatments are available for a stuffy nose. At-home remedies include drinking plenty of fluids, breathing in steam, flushing out the nasal passages, trying nose strips, and sleeping with a humidifier.

OTC medications, such as decongestants, nasal steroid sprays, and antihistamines, can help relieve a stuffy nose. Many people find at-home methods relieve symptoms until their cold or infection passes.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hooper L, Abdelhamid A, Ajabnoor SM, et al.Effects of fluid and drinking on pneumonia mortality in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022;47:96-105. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.11.021Dowell AC, Turner N.Closing evidence to practice gaps: an end to an attack of the vapours?.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(644):118-119. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X683893Succar EF, Turner JH, Chandra RK.Nasal saline irrigation: a clinical update.Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9(S1):S4-S8. doi:10.1002/alr.22330Wheatley JR, Amis TC, Lee SA, Ciesla R, Shanga G.Objective and subjective effects of a prototype nasal dilator strip on sleep in subjects with chronic nocturnal nasal congestion.Adv Ther. 2019;36(7):1657-1671. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-00980-zReiman JM, Das B, Sindberg GM, et al.Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A.PLoS One. 2018;13(9):e0204337. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204337Maul XA, Borchard NA, Hwang PH, Nayak JV.Microcurrent technology for rapid relief of sinus pain: a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded clinical trial.Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9(4):352-356. doi:10.1002/alr.22280U.S. Food and Drug Administration.De novo classification request for clearup sinus relief.Laccourreye O, Werner A, Giroud JP, et al.Benefits, limits and danger of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as nasal decongestants.European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases. 2015;132(1):31-34. doi:10.1016/j.anorl.2014.11.001MedlinePlus.Stuffy or runny nose: Children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitus).

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hooper L, Abdelhamid A, Ajabnoor SM, et al.Effects of fluid and drinking on pneumonia mortality in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022;47:96-105. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.11.021Dowell AC, Turner N.Closing evidence to practice gaps: an end to an attack of the vapours?.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(644):118-119. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X683893Succar EF, Turner JH, Chandra RK.Nasal saline irrigation: a clinical update.Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9(S1):S4-S8. doi:10.1002/alr.22330Wheatley JR, Amis TC, Lee SA, Ciesla R, Shanga G.Objective and subjective effects of a prototype nasal dilator strip on sleep in subjects with chronic nocturnal nasal congestion.Adv Ther. 2019;36(7):1657-1671. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-00980-zReiman JM, Das B, Sindberg GM, et al.Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A.PLoS One. 2018;13(9):e0204337. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204337Maul XA, Borchard NA, Hwang PH, Nayak JV.Microcurrent technology for rapid relief of sinus pain: a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded clinical trial.Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9(4):352-356. doi:10.1002/alr.22280U.S. Food and Drug Administration.De novo classification request for clearup sinus relief.Laccourreye O, Werner A, Giroud JP, et al.Benefits, limits and danger of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as nasal decongestants.European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases. 2015;132(1):31-34. doi:10.1016/j.anorl.2014.11.001MedlinePlus.Stuffy or runny nose: Children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitus).

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Hooper L, Abdelhamid A, Ajabnoor SM, et al.Effects of fluid and drinking on pneumonia mortality in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022;47:96-105. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.11.021Dowell AC, Turner N.Closing evidence to practice gaps: an end to an attack of the vapours?.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(644):118-119. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X683893Succar EF, Turner JH, Chandra RK.Nasal saline irrigation: a clinical update.Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9(S1):S4-S8. doi:10.1002/alr.22330Wheatley JR, Amis TC, Lee SA, Ciesla R, Shanga G.Objective and subjective effects of a prototype nasal dilator strip on sleep in subjects with chronic nocturnal nasal congestion.Adv Ther. 2019;36(7):1657-1671. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-00980-zReiman JM, Das B, Sindberg GM, et al.Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A.PLoS One. 2018;13(9):e0204337. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204337Maul XA, Borchard NA, Hwang PH, Nayak JV.Microcurrent technology for rapid relief of sinus pain: a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded clinical trial.Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9(4):352-356. doi:10.1002/alr.22280U.S. Food and Drug Administration.De novo classification request for clearup sinus relief.Laccourreye O, Werner A, Giroud JP, et al.Benefits, limits and danger of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as nasal decongestants.European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases. 2015;132(1):31-34. doi:10.1016/j.anorl.2014.11.001MedlinePlus.Stuffy or runny nose: Children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitus).

Hooper L, Abdelhamid A, Ajabnoor SM, et al.Effects of fluid and drinking on pneumonia mortality in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022;47:96-105. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.11.021

Dowell AC, Turner N.Closing evidence to practice gaps: an end to an attack of the vapours?.Br J Gen Pract. 2016;66(644):118-119. doi:10.3399/bjgp16X683893

Succar EF, Turner JH, Chandra RK.Nasal saline irrigation: a clinical update.Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9(S1):S4-S8. doi:10.1002/alr.22330

Wheatley JR, Amis TC, Lee SA, Ciesla R, Shanga G.Objective and subjective effects of a prototype nasal dilator strip on sleep in subjects with chronic nocturnal nasal congestion.Adv Ther. 2019;36(7):1657-1671. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-00980-z

Reiman JM, Das B, Sindberg GM, et al.Humidity as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for influenza A.PLoS One. 2018;13(9):e0204337. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204337

Maul XA, Borchard NA, Hwang PH, Nayak JV.Microcurrent technology for rapid relief of sinus pain: a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded clinical trial.Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019;9(4):352-356. doi:10.1002/alr.22280

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.De novo classification request for clearup sinus relief.

Laccourreye O, Werner A, Giroud JP, et al.Benefits, limits and danger of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as nasal decongestants.European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases. 2015;132(1):31-34. doi:10.1016/j.anorl.2014.11.001

MedlinePlus.Stuffy or runny nose: Children.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sinus infection (sinusitus).

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