How do you treat YOUR blocked nose

In My Humble Opinion
21

I try and avoid drugs where possible so I’m another person who uses:

Lots of rest
Long, hot showers
Hot tea, soups with lots of broth
No dairy
Spicy food - ex-g/f said I have an “asbestos palate”; my tolerance for spicy food is pretty high so I load it on.
Once things are running as opposed to clogged and nasty I “feed a cold” (since a few days of tea, broth and chips/salsa leaves me pretty ravenous) and I’ll eat some nice big hot meals.

If it’s preventing me from sleeping (i.e. so stuffy I can’t breath at night, even if I sleep sitting up against some pillows) then I’ll take some decongestants before I sack out, that usually helps me make it through the night.

22

I use Olbas Oil. You can put drops on your pillow, but much better is to rub it into your forehead and onto your nose. Feel the warmth sink in and sooth, then you begin to breathe again. It is wonderful…
How anyone gets by without it is a mystery to me. It is not available here in Italt so whenever someone comes to visit, top of the “Yes please, I need…” list is Olbas Oil!

http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk/cgi-local/frameset/detail/904250_Lanes_Olbas_Oil_10ml.html

23

I’ve used an ear cleaning bulb in place of a Neti Pot. My only problem is that I don’t know the measurement of salt to use. I just did this 2 days ago because of the problem discussed and it worked but OWWWW. too much salt.

24

I have had a couple of hours sleep at least but I’m snot to the eyeballs again (winge winge moan moan) Couldn’t get the salt water to go through this time. Am going to run a hot bath and try and steam myself for a while.

25

Actually, when I was going in for follow-ups to my sinus surgery, my ENT had this little vacuum jobbie that he’d stick up there that would suck out all the goo. It was brilliant. I told him I wanted one at home.

Of course, they would numb up my nasal passages before doing it, but who cares?

26

I am addicted to Vicks, and just put a little under my nose, almost daily, and again at night.

I also think the hot tea, or hot soup, or even a nice long hot shower works wonders.

We do have a neti pot of sorts, that I have used on occasion, if it is really bad.

I HATE not being able to breath through my nose. It can almost bring on a panic attack for me. I had congestive heart failure right after my son was born, and ever since then(5 years) I have been having this trouble. I guess knowing what it feels like not to get enough oxygen can really scare a person.

27

Another vote for the Mucinex-D. It’s expensive, but it’s worth it. And it doesn’t have many of the side effects of the decongestants. I’m pretty sure you can take it in conjunction with other cold meds as well, but check with the pharmacist to be sure.

But, if you’re OK with some side effects, Sudafed has been a lifesaver for me. I hate to be congested, especially when I have to go to work. Don’t get the dumbed-down version that’s available in the aisles. Get the stuff that the kids use to make meth that’s only available behind the counter.

28

In the summer, going to the pool & diving helps.

When I had the horrible clog with the pain & all up into the ears, I tried snorting peroxide. I don’t recommend it, it was painful & traumatic, but gave me apparent clearing for a little while.

29

Okay, here’s a Southwest answer that worked for me. No drugs.

We used to joke that a jalapeno pepper would really clear your sinuses.

One day I was as desperate as you and would try anything. And I had some jalapenos (for other things, mind you).

What the heck? At this point I’d do ALMOST anything. So I chewed and swallowed a jalapeno. If you were standing next to me you would have heard nothing, but inside my head it seemed like the sound of a baseball bat hitting a ball.

Be sure you’re standing next to the sink with some warm water running.

30

I eat a spoonful of horseradish. Never fails to clear me out immediately.

31

Tunes

32

I went to a nose specialist ahd he used a pressurized sprayer to coat my nasal passages with the drug-of-the-day. I have never ever had my nose that opened up.

33

Strangely, I find that sucking on ice cubes sometimes helps.

34

I went to the chemist today and got this: http://www.webchemist.com.au/proddetail.asp?prod=03206.
Definitely an improvement on the turkey baster

35

Put a spoonful of chili powder in a large bag. Inhale deeply from the bag.

This doesn’t actually work all that well, but I swear by it because you get great looks from coworkers.

36

I use 1 teaspoon of salt (non-iodized) and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in two cups of water.

37

Wow, thanks, I must have used 1/2 teaspoon in 2 oz of water. The first time I tried this the water was too hot.

38

Well, I never. So that’s what a neti pot is. My mother swore by the process, but would snort the warm salt water from her cupped hands.

I’ve only been plugged up enough to try it once or twice. It worked both times. Felt really strange, though.

39

Been there, done that. It’s even tougher to get the saline mixture right. And what could be more dignified than a mini tea pot in your nose? I have to believe it originated in England as an insult and some how caught on.

40

Oh man, I think even a dolphin would cry if you shot that up it’s nose (blowhole). Ouch!

And yeah, if the water is too hot that’s only going to make it sting worse. You want warm water, not hot. If you’ve ever baked bread, I think of it as the temp that I use to start the yeast. Feels somewhat warm when you stick a finger in it.

There’s a whole long thread on Neti Pots, for those who may have missed the party: