You’re probably looking for a magic pill that will solve your nasal congestion problem right away, but first you need to identify what type of nasal problem you have. If you don’t identify the problem, then you won’t be able to apply the right solution. For example, many people who have swollen nasal glands run out and purchase common cold medicine that kills mucous (boogers). This does nothing to help their nasal congestion and they quickly become frustrated. Take some time to figure out what your problem is and then you’ll be able to find the right nasal congestion relief treatment.

People experience nasal congestion at various times throughout their life.  It is most often associated with an illness such as a cold or flu.  However, there are other factors that can cause or exacerbate this condition.  Identifying the chronic (continuing) versus acute (temporary) causes can help you treat the problem effectively.

Increased Mucous Production

Many times the source of nasal problems is increased mucous production.  The body will increase mucous production to help relieve irritation in the nasal and sinus cavity linings. There are various prescriptions, over the counter drugs, and home remedies for nasal congestion that can help alleviate or lessen the symptoms of increase mucous production.

Swollen Nasal Glands

Sometimes when a person gets sick, their nasal glands swell. This can be very frustrating because most medicines are designed to help manage the mucous production, but they do little in the way of helping manage your swollen nasal glands. This is why you can still feel congested even though your nose is relatively mucous free. The best idea is to visit the doctor and get some medicine that can help you overcome the sickness. Once the sickness is gone, your nasal congestion problem should be gone as well. However, if you are going to buy an over-the-counter product for your cold and cough, try to find one that mentions helping with swollen glands.

Injuries and Growth Defects

Some sufferers have a physical defect that causes chronic congestion.  Deviated septums, congenital birth defects, broken noses and other injuries can block the nasal passages.  It is the blockage that causes the congestion, versus increased mucous production.  Injuries will usually heal, and the problem will resolve.  However, if the injury is not properly attended to it can heal with the blockage intact causing a permanent problem.  Surgical intervention may be necessary to correct birth defects or poorly healed injuries. It’s worth mentioning that common over-the-counter medicine isn’t going to help you here.

Allergies

Allergic reactions can also cause congestion.  The nasal passages swell in response to an allergen.  These swollen passages restrict airflow and present as congestion to the person.  Allergens can come in a variety of forms such as environmental and medicinal.  It is crucial to identify the allergen in order to eliminate it.  Antihistamines can help temporarily.  Common causes include feather pillows, pet hair, dust, and fabric fibers. There are also chemical and drug allergies that can cause this response.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women can have chronic nasal congestion.  It is related to the increased amount of blood volume they experience.  This increase in volume causes veins in the nasal area to become engorged.  These engorged veins create a physical blockage that restricts air flow.  Body positioning can help provide some relief.

Overuse of medications is a widespread problem, especially nasal sprays.  People suffering from congestion are desperate to find relief.  Instead of identifying the cause they turn to the quick relief provided by sprays.  These products are acceptable to use for three to five days, but past this, they have a rebound effect.  With the rebound effect, the person uses the spray for congestion relief.  The swollen nasal passages shrink increasing air flow.  The problem is that the body quickly adjusts to the chemicals in the spray.  The result is the nasal passages stay open for a short period of time then swell back up.  The swelling, or rebound, occurs after a short period of relief and the air restriction is worse than it was.  In response, the person uses the spray more often, creating a vicious cycle.

Identifying the cause of nasal congestion is the foundation for effective treatment.  It takes time and effort but is worth the long term relief that can be achieved through proper treatment.  No one has to live with the discomfort of nasal congestion.  They just have to be smart in how they treat it effectively.

Nasal congestion affects many aspects of a person’s life.  Congestion doesn’t allow you to sleep, taste, smell, or function normally.  It can be so uncomfortable that people are willing to try almost anything to obtain relief.  There are some great pharmaceutical agents to help with the problem, but many consumers prefer a natural approach.  Here, are a few of the popular home remedies for nasal congestion.

Teas and Treatments

Many sufferers prefer to drink a tea to combat the nasal congestion problem internally.  There are literally hundreds of tea options, but it is best to start with the more common and proven options.

Tomato tea is a highly favored remedy.  Simply mix one cup of tomato juice, 1 teaspoon fresh pressed garlic, ½ teaspoon of hot sauce, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of celery salt.  Heat to drinking temperature and enjoy.  Expect relief to begin within 1 – 3 minutes as the herbs and steam penetrate into the nasal passages.

Apple cider vinegar tea is another popular choice.  The ingredients are easy to access and it only takes a few minutes to make.  Mix 6 ounces of water with 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.

Another common home remedy is to mix 2 – 3 drops of oregano oil in a cup of juice and drink once daily.  This remedy takes a preventative approach for chronic congestion related to swelling of the nasal tissues, instead of the quick relief of the teas.

Humidifiers

The debate continues to rage over the use of cold mist versus steam humidifiers.  The truth is they both work.  Cool mist humidifiers produce more humidity, are safe for young children, and do not change the temperature of the room.  Steam versions are cheaper, work better where hard water is a factor, and medications can be added to the steam.  Both will add moisture to the room and help relieve congestion.  It is mainly a personal choice.

Hospitals like to use a mist tent to help nasal and chest congestion.  Make one at home by putting a sheet over a table.  Put the cool mist humidifier under the table, then the parent and child can get under there too and pretend to be camping out.

Steam Treatments

Hot water and steam are used in a variety of ways to help relieve congestion.  An easy way is to soak a washcloth with hot water.  Then wring it out and place it over the nose and sinuses.  Be careful that water is not too hot so that it burns the skin.  Adding 1 -2 drops of eucalyptus oil can help improve the effect.

Another option is to heat 2 cups of water to boiling, and then add 2 – 3 drops of eucalyptus, tea tree oil or Vick’s vapor rub.  Pour the water into a bowl, then immediately lean over the bowl and put a towel over the bowl and head.  Breathe slowly and deeply through the nose, if possible.  Keep eyes closed to avoid irritation.  This method is not recommended for young children who could spill water and burn themselves.  Lastly try a hot shower or bath it can do the trick with no other ingredients required.

Keep in mind that these methods are used to help with the management of mucous and to some degree swollen nasal glands. If you read my opening article about understanding nasal congestion relief, then you would know I’m a big believer in figuring out what’s wrong with your nasal passages before diving in and trying treatments.

With this situation in mind, there are many home remedies that can be employed to help provide temporary relief.  These remedies use common ingredients found in most households.  Some require more time than others to prepare and administer, but all the treatments can be expected to provide some relief.

Steam

Humidified steam can loosen mucous relieving congestion.  It also moistens the membranes lining the nasal passages, reducing irritation.  Steam can be administered in a variety of ways.  If there is a vaporizer in the home, setting it up can provide significant relief.

If there is not a vaporizer, there are still ways to make steam work.  Try a hot shower or bath.  This makes the person feel better and is usually effective at opening stuffed up passages.  There are also over the counter tablets that contain menthol that can be added to showers to improve the effectiveness.

Pouring hot water in a bowl then breathing in the steam is also effective.  Always pour the water in a bowl, never lean over the burner.  Adding various ingredients such as 2 teaspoons of vinegar, 2 to 3 drops of eucalyptus or menthol oils, or even dissolving a piece of peppermint candy into the water can improve the effect.  For maximum effect, cover bowl and head with a towel to form a little tent.

A Neti pot looks like a magic lamp and it can work magic on your sinuses.

Neti Pot

Many families keep a Neti pot in the house.  This is a system for irrigating the nose and sinuses.  To use the pot, mix warm, not hot, water with 2/ 3 teaspoons of salt.  Insert one end in the nose, tilt your head to the side so the water can flow in one nostril and out the other, and let the water gently flow through the nose and sinuses.  Many users believe that regular use of a Neti pot helps prevent colds and flu viruses, but there are no scientific studies to support this claim.

Saline Nasal Drops

Saline nasal drops can be made using common ingredients.  Mix one quarter teaspoon salt with one quarter teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of lukewarm water.  Administer by using 2 to 3 drops in each side with a medicine dropper.

Household Items

There are many spices and other food substances that can be used to bring nasal congestion relief.  A few of the popular remedies include common food items.  Taking cayenne pepper and putting it on eggs or another food substance will help open up the nose and allow the excessive mucous to be expelled.  How much cayenne to use should be adjusted according to the tolerance of the person.

Mixing crushed red pepper, black pepper and / or cayenne pepper in tomato juice and drinking it has been reported to clear out the nose.  The spices irritate the lining causing them to produce new mucous and allowing the person to expel it.  The same thought process is involved in mixing horseradish on toast.

Note that these quick home treatments will only help with nasal congestion caused by excessive mucous. For swollen nasal glands and other more serious issues, you’ll need to seek help from a medical professional.

The first step is to determine what type of congestion they have.  Congestion can come from a physical blockage, swollen membranes, or an increase in mucous production.  The treatment varies depending on the cause.  Determining the cause can be more difficult than it sounds.  Young children and infants cannot tell their parents how they feel or what is going on.  Parents have to deduce the problem without their help.

Identifying excess mucous is the easiest to assess.  The typical runny nose tells parents what the problem is.  If the drainage is clear, the chances are the problem is viral.  Viruses are treated by treating the symptoms.  Antibiotics will not treat a virus.  Parents can choose to go with over-the-counter medications to help reduce mucous production, or they can go with home remedies for nasal congestion.  Saline sprays, frequent nasal suctioning with a bulb syringe, and use of a cool mist humidifier are reasonable options.  Green or yellow mucous in more indicative of a bacterial etiology and should be evaluated by a physician.

Physical defects will need to be diagnosed by a physician.  These can take the form of deviated septums, nasal polyps, and other defects.  The physician will recommend treatment based on the cause.  Minor surgery may be required to correct the issues.  The child may be referred to an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist.  Another potential cause could be something stuck in the nose.  Toddlers have a tendency to stick items in their ears and nose.

Swollen nasal passages can be identified as the cause by simply eliminating the remainder of the problems.  There are numerous things that can cause these delicate tissues to swell.  Dry air can cause an inflammatory reaction.  This is more common in the winter and in homes that use wood or oil heat sources.  The easiest solution is to add a humidifier to the home.  The extra humidity will be beneficial to the whole family.

Allergic reactions can also be the source of the swollen tissues.  Common household allergens include dust, pets, and feather pillows.  Food allergies could also be the source.  Determining the source of an allergy takes time and persistence.  Pick one item to eliminate from the child’s environment, such as a feather pillow.  Wash all the bed linens, including the bedspread or comforter.  Replace the pillow with a hypoallergenic version, then see if the symptoms resolve.  If congestion does not resolve after a week try another item.  If parents try taking away multiple items at once, they will be unable to determine the culprit.

Dealing with chronic congestion is not an easy thing, but parents can be successful with persistence.  Try simple solutions first, especially with young children.  Chronic congestion can cause enormous problems for little people. For example, infants can lose weight due to difficulty breast or bottle feeding.  They can also become irritable due to interrupted sleep patterns.  Toddlers can face problems with eating, not chewing food well before swallowing, interrupted sleep patterns, and crankiness from the chronic discomfort. The key is to identify the problem (mucous production, swollen tissues, or allergies) and then treat it.

The use of essential oils has been favored for hundreds of years as the method of choice for treating various ailments among homeopathic believers.  There are several options that are readily available wherever essential oils are sold. They are easy to use and require limited equipment. These oils are most often used with a diffuser.  Diffusers help disperse the oils into the air for easy inhalation.

Oregano

Oil of oregano is said to aid in relieving chronic nasal congestion.  It can be added to a diffuser or placed in a warm air vaporizer cup.  Some users prefer to put a few drops on a cotton ball and place it near the bed.

Marjoram

Oil of Marjoram claims to soothe tissues and reduce inflammation.  It is used as an aromatherapy additive in diffusers and vaporizers.  It can be combined in compresses but, it not recommended for internal use.  It can also be applied to a special ring that goes over a normal light bulb.  The heat from the bulb helps diffuse the oil into the air.  These rings are available at a variety of stores and are usually under five dollars.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus oil is a popular favorite.  It contains astringent properties that help reduce inflammation and swollen membranes.  It can be used in compresses or aromatherapy devices.  It is a common ingredient in over the counter medications too.

Peppermint

Oil of peppermint is another favorite.  It can be used in teas, compresses or with diffusers.  The peppermint is well tolerated and has a pleasant smell. Many people like to use this oil throughout the home, due to the crisp clean smell.  The peppermint reduces inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages.

Lavender flowers

Lavender

Lavender is used in a variety of applications.  It is easy to obtain and smells fantastic.  It can be used alone or in combination with other oils.  Some users like to add lavender petals to hot baths for quick relief.  In addition to its soothing properties, lavender has healing properties that help reduce pain and muscle aches.

Oils can also be combined to use in rubs and compresses.  A popular chest rub involves mixing 1 drop of lavender, 1 drop tea tree oil, 1 drop niaouli, and 1 drop of sandalwood into a cup of Vaseline.  Rub the mixture on the chest to relieve congestion in the nose, sinuses, and lungs.  Another favorite includes mixing 4 drops of tea tree oil with 2 drops of sandalwood oil and 4 drops of lemon in either Vaseline or 20mls of sweet almond oil.  Using sweet almond oil instead of Vaseline makes it easier to add the mixture to compresses.

Most of these oils are easily accessible, but they do require you to purchase items and keep them on hand.  For those who suffer daily nasal congestion these oils can really help.