7 super simple home remedies for blocked noses     

You’re wrapping up the weekly food shop, clinging to your trolley while battling that familiar bunged up feeling of being unwell. We get it. You don’t have time to be ill! But you give so much of yourself to everyone else, it's time to take a bit back for yourself. So go on, fill your trolley with your favourite snacks. Take a moment to chill and get yourself feeling better fast with these home remedies for blocked noses. Learn how to soothe a blocked nose now – after all, you’re no good to anyone else until you’re good to yourself first! 

‘How to open blocked nose’, ‘home remedies for blocked nose’, are common questions when suffering from a flu or cold. From a steamy shower to foods like ginger, we’ll share everything you need to know about using these natural remedies for how to soothe a sore nose inside. 

Pinpointing what causes a sore nose 

Before using any home remedies for blocked noses, it’s important to know the cause of your blocked nose – also known as rhinitis – so you can treat it appropriately. If you’ve been suffering from nasal congestion which won’t go away, have a chat with your pharmacist or GP for medical advice and reassurance.

Rhinitis can be allergic, non-allergic or caused by bacteria. Here are a few things that could be what causes a sore nose for you:¹

• Winter cold. 
• Sinus infection. 
• Allergies, including pollen, pet dander and dust. 
• Environmental changes. 
• Stress. 
• Drugs. 
• Excessive alcohol consumption. 

How to soothe a sore nose inside - 7 natural blocked nose remedies 

Now you have figured out what the sore nose causes are, it’s time to take steps to help relieve the stuffy feeling. Here are seven simple home remedies for sore nose from blowing: 

1. Utilise steam

When you’re working round the clock to feed, bathe, clothe, entertain and care for your partner –sorry, little ones, there’s often little time left for yourself. However, the benefits of incorporating steam into your routine, especially when you’re unwell, are endless. Not only is it great for an at-home spa treatment (shrinking your pores has never been easier!), it’s also a life-saver for stuffy noses. Whether from a pot of boiling water or a hot shower, inhaling steam with essential oils will break down the mucus in your nose, allowing it to drain more easily and open up your passageways.² 

If you don’t want to use a shower or bath, follow these how-to-open-blocked nose home remedies: 

• Fill a bowl with boiling water. 
• Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or vapour rub (optional). 
• Cover your head with a towel to contain the steam. 
• Hold your head over the bowl for 3-5 minutes. 
• Repeat these steps 2-3 times a day to keep your nasal passages clear. 

And remember, accidents with hot water can cause serious burns, so take care to keep the bowl on a steady surface and stay mindful of any young children or pets nearby.³

2. Invest in a humidifier for your home

A specially designed humidifier at home helps to add moisture to the air which works like magic for decongesting your nasal passages and soothing your stuffy nose.⁴ It can also help to soothe dry eyes and sore throats – other symptoms you may have alongside your stuffy nose.  

3. Good old ginger

Our grandparents often tell us about the good old days, and they often have some fantastic advice to offer when it comes to sharing a home remedy for blocked nose at night and other ailments. These simple steps will show you just why ginger root is one of their best blocked nose remedies:⁵ 

• Add 4-5 slices of fresh ginger to a cup of boiling water. 
• Leave the ginger to infuse for 5-10 minutes. 
• Drink the water in sips once it has cooled. 
• As well as working well to help you unblock nasal congestion, it also works wonders on sore throats when drunk. 

 4. Get your fill of vitamins – especially vitamin C

A vitamin boost will help support your natural immune system, and your immune system helps you fight against the bacteria and viruses that cause nasal congestion.⁶ Here are a few top ways to get your vitamin C fix to use as a nose burning treatment at home: 

• Fruits including kiwi, lemon, and papaya. 
• Veg including cauliflower, spinach, and bell peppers. 

5. Get your fill of vitamins – especially vitamin C

How does drinking and staying hydrated affect your nose? It’s all about the mechanics. Choosing the correct drinks⁷ will not only help keep you hydrated but also thin mucus, so it doesn’t clog up thickly and it’s easier to get rid of when you blow your nose. The best drinks to help you stay hydrated and aid a home remedy for blocked nose at night are: 

• Water. 
• Hot drinks such as lemon and honey. 
• Fresh fruit juices.

6. Give apple cider vinegar a try. 

Apple cider vinegar solution is also a surprisingly effective and all-natural way to relieve a stuffy nose of that congestion.⁸ Here are the ingredients you need to mix for the penultimate option on our list on how to stop nose burning home remedies: 

• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. 
• 1 tablespoon of honey. 
• 1 cup of warm water.  

7. Use over-the-counter decongestants. 

You can buy decongestants, nasal sprays and more over the counter without a prescription, and these are all viable remedies for a stuffy nose that won’t unblock. Always follow the instructions on the label and speak to your GP if you’re unsure of: 

• How to use nasal sprays or decongestants. 
• How frequently to use nasal sprays or decongestants. 
• If you should avoid any over-the-counter decongestants, i.e., if you’re pregnant or taking other medications.

There you have it. Now you know what causes a sore nose, how to soothe a sore nose inside, and the best nose burning treatment at home for you. So next time that you’re feeling under the weather, don’t be afraid to give yourself a break – you're no good to anyone else until you’re good to yourself first anyway! 

*To verify claims, please email verify.uk@essity.com for full verification details.

Sources

¹ Non-allergic rhinitis, NHS
² Steam inhalation, Fife Health & Social Care Partnership, West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
³ Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial, Paul Little, Beth Stuart, Mark Mullee, Tammy Thomas, Sophie Johnson, Gerry Leydon, David Rabago, Samantha Richards-Hall, Ian Williamson, Guiqing Yao, James Raftery, Shihua Zhu, Michael Moore, CMAJ Sep 2016, 188 (13) 940-949; DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.160362
⁴ Effectiveness of humidification, National Library of Medicine
⁵ Ginger extract versus Loratadine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
⁶ Vitamin C in prevention and treatment of the common cold, National Library of Medicine
⁷ The dos and don’ts of easing cold symptoms, Johns Hopkins Medicine
⁸ Authenticating apple cider vinegar's home remedy claims, National Library of Medicine