Decongesting the nose is a must. And it is that breathing is an action that we do involuntarily. However, when the flu or temperature changes arrive, we appreciate having a nose free of plugs.
Although there are medications intended to decongest the nose, you can also apply some tricks at home to improve breathing. In this article, we will offer you some tips to unclog your nose, but we will start by talking about what causes the congestion.
Why do you cover your nose?
This annoyance is very common. In fact, since we are in our first months of birth, we can present a nose plug. Now this happens due to various factors, such as allergy, flu, or the weather. In the nose, we have tissues or blood vessels, when these become inflamed, it can lead to nasal congestion. Although the presence of mucus can cause a plug, the main reason is inflammation from viruses.
At the same time, nasal dryness (rhinorrhea) may occur, which is very common when there are sudden changes in temperature, either due to the weather or after changes in the environment (air conditioning or heating). In fact, this is the main reason why we cover our noses when we go to bed.
Main causes of nasal congestion
The most frequent causes are:
- Colds. These can occur due to changes in climate or contact with humid environments.
- Flu. The flu produces a runny or runny nose, which can make you congest.
- Sinus infection This happens when the sinuses swell as a defence mechanism against viruses or microorganisms. This condition prevents mucus and air from circulating freely.
- Allergy. Some factors can cause allergic rhinitis.
How to unclog the nose?
We know there are over-the-counter medications that can fix this in seconds. But, you can try some homemade tricks. Some advice to decongest the nose and breathe freely.
Steam inhalers
Although you can get Humidifiers in the market (they are effective), you can also create one at home. And it is that the humidity of the steam is very useful to uncover the nose.
To do this, you just have to boil a little water in a saucepan, you can add some leaves to enhance the aroma, such as eucalyptus, if you don't have it, no problem, do it without the leaves. Inhale the steam slightly, which is not very hot, but the heat is felt. You can use a towel to take advantage of the steam.
You can also place hot and wet cloths on the face area, this will loosen the mucous membranes and facilitate expulsion. It is important to remove the mucus to not stick to the inside and prevent breathing.
Saline solution drops
There are many products in the pharmacy containing seawater and other components that help us decongest and improve breathing. Anyone can use them, but you have to ask the pharmacist what is the ideal one according to the age and problem.
Infusions and tea
Herbal anti-flu teas are great allies, not only for unclogging the nose, but also for relieving cold or flu symptoms.
Massages
Some people report that putting pressure on some areas of the body improves breathing. If you have wondered where to touch to decongest the nose, we will tell you that some acupressure experts say that you should press lightly between the eyebrows, above the nose.
This appears to help relieve the sinuses and prevent them from becoming inflamed. You can apply it several times a day to prevent congestion at night.
Another massage technique is to touch the tip of the nose and the upper lip with the index finger. You have to massage at least for a few minutes, making circular and insistent movements. This action appears to loosen the mucosa and facilitate its expulsion.
The homemade tricks that we have shared are the most popular and effective. Of course, there are many more, however we want to share those that have a greater margin of effectiveness.
How many days does nasal congestion last?
Nasal congestion does not last long. Of course, not being able to breathe through your nose in a few days can seem like an eternity. However, it usually lasts about 5 to 10 days. This is how long a cold usually lasts.
On the other hand, if the cause is allergy, the congestion may last a long time. It is important to consult the doctor if the congestion time has been very long because decongestants can aggravate the clinical picture when used for a long time.
