Pharmacist warns of one key mistake people make that worsens a blocked nose

A blocked nose commonly occurs during the winter months but can usually be treated at home with treatments such as decongestants and antihistamines readily available to buy over-the-counter.

But there’s one common mistake people make which can actually worsen the issue.

Decongestants are a type of medicine that can provide short-term relief for a blocked or stuffy nose.

Abbas Kanani, pharmacist from Online Pharmacy Chemist Click, explained: “They work by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels in your nose, which helps to open the airways.”

The medicine helps to ease symptoms of conditions such as colds and flu, hay fever and other allergic reactions, catarrh and sinusitis.

Woman using a nasal spray

Kanani continued: “Most decongestants should only be used between one and four times a day, but you should check the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine for advice about how much to take and how often to take it”.

They can be very effective and usually kick in within 30 to 60 minutes. But the pharmacist warned people commonly use it or longer than recommended.

He said: “Decongestants nasal sprays and drops should only be used for a short time, usually less than seven days. If you take them for longer, you’re more likely to get side effects. This mistake can actually make your stuffiness worse.”

Other possible side effects include feeling sleepy, irritation of the lining of your nose, headaches, feeling or being sick, a dry mouth, feeling restless or agitated or a rash, but these symptoms tend to be mild and should go away once you stop taking the medicine.

You should always ask your doctor before taking decongestants if you’re already taking medication because, as Kanani said: “Decongestants can increase or decrease the effect of some other medicines.

Woman with a stuffy nose

He added: “Another common mistake is when people lay down when your nose feels blocked up.

“It’s best to keep upright or your head elevated. This is because “changes in blood flow force more blood to your nose, increasing the swelling. It helps to increase drainage and decrease congestion.”

He recommends using a pillow wedge or stacking several pillows directly underneath your upper torso and head.

Nasal congestion is usually caused by a cold, the flu, and sinus infections. You can treat a blocked nose at home by keeping nasal passages moist. Long showers with warm steam, humidifiers and drinking lots of fluids can all help with this.

If allergies are the cause of your nasal congestion and sinus pressure, controlling them will ease your symptoms. Kanani advised: “Allergic rhinitis is where your nose gets irritated by something you’re allergic to, such as pollen, causing sneezing and other symptoms.”

Allergy medications that have an antihistamine can help to relieve sniffling and sneezing along with a decongestant for congestion and sinus pressure. Antihistamines block the effects of a substance called histamine in your body.

Kanani explained: “Histamine is normally released when your body detects something harmful, such as an infection. It causes blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell, which helps protect the body.”

He suggested if you do take antihistamines “try not to drink alcohol, particularly if it’s a type that makes you drowsy, as it can increase the chances of it making you feel sleepy”.

You should always check the leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of possible side effects and advice about when to get medical help.