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Nasal congestion, or a stuffed up nose, occurs when your nasal tissues are inflamed from infections, allergies, or other irritants
Nasal congestion, or a stuffed up nose, occurs when your nasal tissues are inflamed from infections, allergies, or other irritants. This can cause excessive secretions from the sinuses that block your nasal passages.
Learn about common causes of nasal congestion and how you can treat it at home.
- Infections: Viral infections—such as the flu, common cold, respiratory syncytial virus infection, and COVID-19—can cause a stuffed up nose.
- Allergies: Allergic reactions to pollen, pet dander, dust mites, or mold can cause a stuffy nose. Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, is also a common cause.
- Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses, or sinusitis, can be acute or chronic and cause symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose and headache.
- Irritants: Environmental pollutants, cigarette smoke, and certain fragrances can irritate the nasal mucosa, causing a stuffy nose.
- Nasal polyps: Polyps are fleshy painless growths that can develop on the lining of the mucosa inside your nose or sinuses.
- Hormones: In some cases, nasal congestion can be caused by hormonal changes caused by pregnancy as well as thyroid hormone imbalance.
- Nonallergic rhinitis: Nonallergic rhinitis refers to nasal symptoms—sneezing and runny or stuffy nose—that occur in the absence of an allergy for weeks to months at a time for at least a year.
- Other causes:
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Stress
- Dry, windy weather
- Spicy foods
- Sleep apnea
- Certain medications
- Rebound nasal congestion due to nose drops
How do you treat a stuffy nose?
Treatment of a stuffed up nose depends on the underlying cause. For example, you may need to avoid allergens or other triggers if they are causing your symptoms. If thyroid hormone problems or medications are causing your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe treatment. Do not adjust your medications or start taking any new medications without talking to your doctor.
Here are tips to recover from a stuffy nose:
- Rest: Get enough rest so that you can recover faster.
- Plenty of fluids: Drink water, green tea, and other fluids to stay hydrated. Many people report that sipping chicken soup can help relieve congestion.
- Saline nasal drops: Over-the-counter (OTC) saline nasal drops can help loosen mucus and relieve stuffiness.
- Humidifier: Since dry air can worsen symptoms, try using a humidifier to increase the moisture in your room.
- Petroleum jelly: Apply a little petroleum jelly under your nose to get relief from raw skin or irritation around the nostrils.
- Antihistamines: OTC antihistamines may provide relief from nasal allergies. Avoid using these in infants and young children without consulting a pediatrician.
- Warm bath: Inhaling steam from a warm bath can help thin out the mucus in your nose and encourage draining.
- OTC pain medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as well as antiallergics can help relieve pain and swelling.
When to contact a doctor
In some cases, a stuffy nose may be a sign of a serious infection such as COVID-19. Talk to a doctor if you notice:
- Worsening or persistent symptoms even after 10 days
- High fever
- Trouble sleeping
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or pressure
- Yellow, green, or bloody nasal discharge
- Severe headache or pain over your sinuses
- Poor feeding, drowsiness, or inconsolable crying in infants and children
