How to Clear a Stuffy Nose

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Co-authored by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: October 1, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Getting Immediate Relief
|
• Modifying Your Routine
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• Treating Babies and Toddlers
|
• When to Seek Medical Treatment
|
• Video
|
• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings

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A congested or stuffy nose happens when the membranes inside your nostrils become irritated and inflamed, often due to a cold, the flu, or allergies. Additionally, you’ll likely experience mucus discharge, which your body produces to protect you from illness. Unfortunately, a stuffy nose can be very annoying and may make it hard for you to breathe. Luckily, you can get relief for yourself or your baby using at-home treatments. However, seek medical care if you show signs of infection, such as congestion, discharge, or a fever.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Getting Immediate Relief

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1. 
   1
   Take a hot shower to thin nasal mucus quickly. Steam can loosen mucus and clear nasal passages, making breathing easier. For a quick solution, close the bathroom door, run a hot shower, and sit in the steamy environment for a few minutes. Hopefully, you’ll be feeling better in no time.

   • A cool-mist humidifier can also help clear a stuffy nose. Run one in your bedroom at night, and make sure to clean it weekly.
   • If you don’t own a cool-mist humidifier, you can explore several options for purchase here.
2. 
   2
   Use a saline spray or neti pot for a natural solution. Saline nasal sprays are simply salt water in a convenient applicator, so they’re safe for everyone (even pregnant women). The water will flush out the mucus and moisturize the inside of your nose.

   • Follow the instructions on the packaging of your specific spray.
   • Alternatively, use a neti pot to flush out your sinuses. Make sure you do not fill it (or create a saline solution) with tap water, as it may contain bacteria or amoebas that can cause life-threatening illness, and clean your neti pot with soap and water after each use.
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3. 
   3
   Use nasal adhesive strips to open up your nostrils at night. These thin white strips go over the bridge of your nose and open your nasal passages to help you breathe easier. Pick up a pack and apply one to see if it helps you sleep better by reducing your congestion.

   • These are often marketed as anti-snoring strips.
4. 
   4
   Put a warm compress over your nose and forehead to reduce sinus pressure. Heat may help to reduce pressure by opening up your sinuses. Run a washcloth under warm water, then place the damp cloth over your face for a few minutes. Rewet the washcloth when it starts to feel cold.

   • It might take a few rounds of reheating the washcloth for you to feel any benefit, so be patient. Try using a compress while you’re doing something relaxing, like listening to music or watching TV.
5. 
   5
   Take an OTC decongestant or antihistamine if recommended by your doctor. Depending on the cause of the stuffiness, you might be able to treat nasal congestion with over-the-counter (OTC) medication. If your child is between the ages of 4 to 6, over-the-counter medication should only be used if their healthcare provider tells you to.

   • If you have a cold, a decongestant can ease the swelling and inflammation in your nasal passages, leading to easier breathing. You can take this medication orally, as a pill or liquid, or use a decongestant nasal spray. Be aware that decongestant nasal sprays are only recommended for 3 consecutive days due to the risk of worsening congestion.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17980-nasal-congestion
   • If you’re suffering from allergies, such as hay fever, take an antihistamine, such as Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra (or the generic equivalent of one of these medications). Antihistamines relieve congestion and reduce other symptoms, like sneezing. Some antihistamines can make you tired, so look for non-drowsy options during the day. Do not drive or use heavy machinery until you see how the antihistamine affects you.
   • Flonase and Nasacort sprays, which contain corticosteroids, may also be helpful if your nose is congested due to allergies. Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Modifying Your Routine

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1. 
   1
   Blow your nose gently. If your nose is stuffed but not dripping, or mucus isn’t coming out easily, don’t force it. Your impulse may be to blow your nose until you expel some mucus, but it’s best to leave the tissues alone. Only blow your nose when it is running, since forceful blowing can irritate the nasal passages and propel bacteria-laden mucus back up into your sinuses.

   Note: Blowing hard repeatedly will make the delicate membranes inside your nostrils get more inflamed, and can quickly lead to increased stuffiness. It seems counterintuitive at first, but you really will feel better if you use tissues less often.
2. 
   2
   Stay hydrated to thin out the mucus. Drinking lots of fluids when you’re sick can help clear up a stuffy nose. Stick with plain water, herbal tea, or clear soups. You can also keep a water bottle or mug on hand at all times to encourage hydration.

   • Hot beverages are especially helpful for thinning mucus.
   • Avoid sugary beverages, like juice and soda, since they don’t contain any helpful nutrients or electrolytes. Coffee and sugary drinks are also dehydrating.https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-dos-and-donts-of-easing-cold-symptoms
   • Drinking a warm cup of herbal tea before bedtime can help you rest better while you’re congested.
   • Reader Poll: We asked 778 wikiHow readers if drinking tea before bed helps them sleep, and 50% of them said yes. [Take Poll]
3. 
   3
   Prop up your head when you’re resting. Lying flat on your back can cause mucus to build up when you’re resting or sleeping. Elevate your head with a few pillows when you have a stuffy nose.

   • If you typically sleep on your stomach or side, try sleeping on your back and elevating your head while you’re sick.
   • Never elevate a baby’s head with towels or pillows (or incline their mattress) because it can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
4. 
   4
   Stay away from irritants. Irritants like cigarette smoke can worsen nasal congestion. Avoid smoking or being around others who smoke when you’re congested. If your stuffy nose is due to allergies, try to avoid common allergens, like dust and pet dander.

   • If you need help to quit smoking, speak to your doctor or contact the Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Treating Babies and Toddlers

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1. 
   1
   Use saline drops to loosen the mucus. Place the infant on a flat surface and position a rolled towel beneath their shoulders to tip their head back. Place a few drops of saline solution in each nostril. Saline solution loosens mucus, allowing your little one to breathe more easily.

   • To make your own saline solution, mix one teaspoon (2.5 mL) of non-iodized salt and one teaspoon (2.5 mL) of baking soda in 2 cups (240 mL) of distilled water.
   • If you only have tap water on hand, boil it and allow it to cool before making a saline solution. Otherwise, you could introduce bacteria or amoebas into your child’s sinus cavity, which, while rare, can be life-threatening.
2. 
   2
   Drain the mucus to make it easier for your child to breathe. If your child is old enough to blow their nose, have them do so gently. If you have an infant, use a nasal bulb syringe to remove excess mucus from each nostril. First, squeeze out the air in the bulb, then carefully insert the tip into one of the baby’s nostrils. Release the bulb to suck up the mucus, then remove it from the nostril and squeeze out the mucus onto a tissue. Repeat on the other side.
3. 
   3
   Put a cool-mist humidifier in your baby’s room. A cool-mist humidifier can soften mucus and ease your child’s breathing. Set up the humidifier in their bedroom and run it overnight. If possible, fill the humidifier with filtered water. Be sure to clean and dry the humidifier each day to prevent bacterial and mold contamination.

   • If you don’t have a humidifier, run a hot shower and sit with your baby in the bathroom (not inside the shower itself) for 10 minutes so the steam loosens up the mucus. This is especially helpful if your child has a croupy cough.

   Warning: Avoid using warm-mist humidifiers, since hot water can burn a child if they get too close.
4. 
   4
   Do not give your child cold medicine. Over-the-counter cold medicine is not suitable for children under 4 years of age. In fact, decongestants have even been linked to irregular heartbeats and irritability, especially among infants. Try to keep your child comfortable as best you can, and call their pediatrician if you have any concerns.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

When to Seek Medical Treatment

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1. 
   1
   Get immediate care for sinus pain coupled with yellow or green discharge. Yellow or green discharge might mean you have a bacterial infection, though this isn’t always the case. Your doctor needs to rule out an infection or prescribe the right type of treatment to relieve your symptoms.

   • If bloody discharge is coming from your nose, see your doctor immediately.
   • Keep in mind that you can develop a bacterial infection due to sinus drainage (postnatal drip), meaning what started as a stuffy nose (due to allergies or a cold) can turn into a bacterial infection. If this happens, your doctor can prescribe a round of antibiotics that will have you feeling better.
2. 
   2
   Visit your doctor if your congestion continues longer than 10 days. A stuffy nose should go away within a week, so you may have an infection if yours lasts longer than 10 days. Your doctor can rule out other possible causes, such as the flu, and prescribe treatment if needed. Here are some other symptoms you may be experiencing if you have an infection:

   • Fever over 101.3 °F (38.5 °C)
   • Sore throat
   • Runny or stuffy nose
   • Congestion
   • Headaches
   • Body aches
   • Fatigue
3. 
   3
   Call your doctor for advice if your baby is under 3 months old. It’s common for babies to get stuffy noses often, since their immune system is still developing. However, a stuffy nose due to a cold or allergies can quickly become serious for a young infant. Fortunately, your doctor can advise you on how to provide the best care for your baby to help their recovery.

   • Your doctor may advise you to continue caring for your baby at home.
   • If your baby has a fever above 100.4 °F (38.0 °C), ask your doctor for a same-day appointment or take your baby to an urgent care center. A fever indicates that they may have an infection, so it’s best to make sure your baby doesn’t need extra treatment.https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/fever.html+In+Kids+Overdressing:+Infants,,Immunizations:+Serious+fever+symptoms+to+watch+for)
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Join the Discussion...

Stuffy nose natural remedies to try at home?

Julia Eze
Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

For a stuffy nose, dry or cool air can become an irritant. Try to increase moisture in the air by taking a hot shower or using a humidifier. Eating something spicy can also help drain the sinuses. Increase your fluid intake, try blowing your nose to help with the congestion, and try an over-the-counter allergy medicine.

Read More

Meg Harrell
Registered Nurse and Nursing Educator

Anything that will vasodilate is the key, because stuffiness is a result of vasoconstriction in the nasal area. Products that vasodilate, like peppermint oil, would work or use other products that can diffuse and bring warm air. For example, standing over a pot of boiling water with a couple drops of peppermint or lemongrass oil in it would be helpful.

Read More

See all 3 Replies and

Read Discussion

Clear Your Sinuses With This Expert Series

Clearing your sinuses can sometimes feel impossible, especially if you have an infection. Use these expert articles to unclog your sinuses and finally get some relief.

1

Expert-Backed Tips & Remedies to Unclog Your Ears at Home

2

Clear Your Sinuses and Ears

3

Unclog the Inner Ear or Eustachian Tube

4

16 Ways to Clear Nasal Congestion

5

How to Clear Your Sinuses at Home

6

Clear a Sinus Infection

Expert Q&A

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Add New Question

• Question

  Is it better to sniff or blow your nose?

  

  Monica Kieu, DO, FACS
  Board Certified Otolaryngologist

  Dr. Monica Kieu is a board certified Otolaryngologist and Specialist in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Kieu received a BS in Anthropology from the University of California, Riverside and earned her medical degree (DO), with honors, from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. She then completed her residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Michigan State University/Detroit Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Kieu also completed a prestigious fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Rhinologic Society. Dr. Kieu was recently named one of LA’s Top Docs by Los Angeles Magazine.

  

  Monica Kieu, DO, FACS

  Board Certified Otolaryngologist

  Expert Answer

  

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 6 Helpful 10
• Question

  Can I blow my nose even if a few minutes ago the mucus had blood in it?

  

  Zora Degrandpre, ND
  Natural Health Doctor

  Dr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

  

  Zora Degrandpre, ND

  Natural Health Doctor

  Expert Answer

  You are probably blowing too hard and breaking small blood vessels in your nose. You should try to be more gentle, blowing your nose-- try using steam or a hot compress before you blow your nose to loosen up the mucus, making it easier to blow out.  Also, try blowing only one nostril at a time.  You do not want to blow your nose so hard that it causes a nose bleed.  If your nose does start to bleed, pinch your nose with your thumb and index fingers to get it to stop bleeding.  Use a hot compress or steam before you try and blow it again. Also, make sure you drink at least 8-10 eight ounce glasses of water when you are stuffy. You can also try a NetiPot or nasal wash product.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 36 Helpful 137
• Question

  I cannot fall asleep with my stuffy nose. How should I get enough sleep to get better?

  

  Mitzi Scotten, MD
  Board Certified Pediatrician

  Dr. Scotten is a board certified Pediatrician in Arizona. She received her MD from the University of Kansas in 1993 and completed her Pediatric residency at Kosair Children’s Hospital. Dr. Scotten was the director of the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis clinic at the University of Kansas, was voted as a Kansas City Star “Top Doc” for 5 years, and has been selected to the National Board of Medical Examiners.

  

  Mitzi Scotten, MD

  Board Certified Pediatrician

  Expert Answer

  If you are having trouble sleeping, then it may be best to find out why your nose is stuffy. It might be due to a cold or it could be allergies. Your doctor should be able to help you figure this out. If your stuffy nose is due to allergies, then sleeping with your head slightly elevated, washing sheets and pillows regularly, and not sleeping with pets in your bed are all helpful. Before bed, you can also use an over-the-counter nasal saline spray to rinse out allergens and any mucous that has built up during the day.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

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Tips

• Put menthol and eucalyptus bath salt in a sink or bowl of steaming hot water. Put a towel over your head and around the sink or bowl edge. Breathe in until the temperature drops to ease a stuffy nose.
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• If you are too lazy to take a hot shower or bath, dip your feet in hot water to relieve congestion.
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• If just one side of your nose is clogged, lie on the opposite side of your body to help drain your nostrils.
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Warnings

• Be aware that decongestant medications that contain pseudoephedrine are contraindicated for some people.
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• Avoid using a warm-mist humidifier, which can harbor bacteria.
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• Be careful when using steam or a steam inhaler, as boiling steam can cause nasty scalds.
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• When making your own saline solution for a nose spray or neti pot, make sure to use filtered or distilled water to prevent illnesses due to bacteria or amoebas. If you must use tap water, boil it and let it cool before making the saline solution.
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• Contrary to popular belief, eating spicy foods can actually make your congestion worse.
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• Avoid using mentholated vapor rubs. There’s no evidence that they relieve congestion, and the ingredients can actually be toxic.
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