No matter what the cause is, a congested nose can be very uncomfortable. It is also difficult to deal with this situation. You may have tried everything you can to get a relief but nothing seems useful. Here we have some easy-to-follow methods that you can have a try. 

How to Decongest Nose 

1. Use a Humidifier

Putting a humidifier in your room is one of the best things to help you decongest. Dry air can be particularly harsh on inflamed sinuses, and this condition can be improved by the presence of the humidifier. The increased amount of moisture in the room will also help reduce the thickness of the mucus being produced, so you can clear it out more easily.

Keeping a humidifier in every room might not be possible; however, make sure that you have one in the room where you spend the most time.

2. Take a Shower

How to decongest nose in a natural way? Try to take a shower. The steam that rises from the shower helps open up the sinuses and thin out the mucus. Hot steam from water in a bowl can also provide the same relief. Adding a little amount of decongestant rub to the water will provide an extra boost.

3. Stay Hydrated

Drink a lot of water to help with your congestion. The consistency of the mucus becomes thicker when the body is dehydrated, and keeping yourself hydrated can make the mucus thinner. The inflammation and irritation of the sinuses will decrease as more and more mucus starts to flow out of the nose.

Usually, the congestion can be accompanied with a sore throat or even fever. Warm liquids like green tea, soup, etc. can help ease this pain. 

4. Use a Saline Spray

Instead of increasing the amount of water in your entire system, a saline spray will increase the moisture in your nostrils. It will help decrease the inflammation in the blood vessels of the nose.

While some sprays come with decongestants, you should consult your doctor before using since continuous decongestant use can actually have a rebound effect.

5. Drain Your Sinuses

How to decongest nose? May be you can try to use a Neti pot.

Stand over a washbasin and then insert the spout of the netipot in one nostril. The pot has to be tilted to allow water to flow in from one nostril and out from the other. The entire pot should be drained into one nostril and then changed over to the other. Make sure that the water being used is distilled water to avoid any chances of infection.

6. Use a Warm Compress

A warm compress is an excellent method to decongest the sinuses. The best way to perform this is to soak a soft towel in some warm water. Squeeze the excess water out of the towel and then apply it gently on the outside of the cheek, the nose and the forehead.

The pressure is very soothing and will help relieve the pain and discomfort from the congestion. This process can be repeated as many times as you want.

7. Drink Hot Liquids

One of the oldest methods of helping relieve congestion is to have a hot drink mixed with a tiny amount of whiskey or brandy in it! The hot liquid will help reduce the inflammation and provide relief.

Too much of alcohol should not be added as that can actually be counterproductive and needless to say, this is only for adults of a drinking age!

8. Try Decongestants

Decongestants are available from either the spray from or the tablet form. They are also of different strengths and may or may not require a prescription. They are effective in helping reduce the congestion, but you need to use them as instructed by the doctor. Some people keep buying over-the-counter decongestants but end up worsening their condition because of a rebound effect.

9. Take Antihistamines or Allergy Medicine

How to decongest nose? If your nose gets congested because of allergy, you may consider using anti-allergic medications. The sinuses are lined by a mucus-producing membrane that becomes overactive when inflamed. One of the reasons why this inflammation could be occurring in the first place is an allergic reaction.

Common allergies like those to pollen and dust can be very hard to eradicate completely and the patient has to depend on medications to give adequate relief.

10. Use Mentholated Salve

Products like camphor, menthol or eucalyptus help open up the nasal passages and can also provide a soothing effect to the nose which has become raw from constant rubbing.

When to See a Doctor

Congestion is a common problem, and the most time it can be taken care of at home. However, you may need to see a doctor if the nasal congestion lasts for more than 10 days, is accompanied by a high fever, starts occurring after a head injury or is causing a severe amount of pain.