Got the Sniffles? Here Are 6 Ways to Unstuff Your Nose Instantly

If you’re sick or dealing with allergies and are wondering how to unstuff your nose instantly, well…there aren’t a lot of options. Aside from a nasal spray, most of the paths to “breathe easy town” will take at least a few minutes, according to Peter Hwang, MD, an otolaryngologist and rhinologist with Stanford Medicine and founder of SOUNDHEALTH.

But a couple of minutes isn’t so bad, right? If the right remedy helps you breathe easier, it may be worth the extra time. Here, learn six ways to unstuff your nose in a shorter amount of time and bid your congestion farewell.

6 ways to unstuff your nose ASAP

Here’s what the experts say you should do when you need to unclog now.

1. Nasal decongestant spray

You’ll get the absolute fastest result from an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant spray like Afrin ($10) or Zicam ($11). “Topical decongestants can provide immediate relief for nasal congestion,” Dr. Hwang says. The downside: Using them for more than a few days can make congestion worse, sending you into a cycle of needing to use the spray even more. So “they should only be used sparingly for short periods,” he adds.

If you’re dealing with long-term congestion from allergies, a nasal steroid spray like Flonase ($16) or Nasacort ($17) can be a good choice. “They’re effective when used daily for several weeks and are safe for long-term use,” Dr. Hwang says. But they can take two weeks or longer to fully kick in.

2. Nasal irrigation

Prefer home remedies for a stuffy nose? Rinsing your nasal passages with a saline-filled neti pot ($10), squeeze bottle ($10), or a bulb syringe ($7) should help open you up within a couple of minutes. “Neti pots or high-volume nasal saline rinses mechanically rinse away pollen or environmental irritants from the nasal mucous membranes,” Dr. Hwang says.

Here’s how to use a neti pot, with tips from Dr. Hwang and the Mayo Clinic:

• Make a homemade saline solution by combining 1 to 2 cups distilled or boiled water with 1/2 to 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized salt. (Boiled or distilled water is free of germs that could cause an infection in your nasal passages. Water should be boiled for at least 5 minutes, then allowed to cool to room temp before using.)
• Pour the mixture into your neti pot, squeeze bottle, or bulb syringe.
• Lean over the sink (one ear should face the sink, the other should face the ceiling) and pour half of the solution into your top nostril. Let it drain out of the bottom nostril.
• Switch sides and repeat.

3. Steam

Steam, aka warm, humidified air, can help loosen up the mucus in your nasal cavities to relieve congestion. But it’s not quite as fast—or effective—as nasal irrigation, Dr. Hwang says.

If you want to give it a try, there are a couple of ways to go about it. You could turn on the shower or bath, close the bathroom door, and hang out for 10 to 15 minutes while breathing in the steam. Or you could fill a large bowl or pot with steaming water, drape a towel over your head, and sit with your head over the bowl (taking care not to burn your face).

If both of those sound kind of boring, there are personal steam inhalers that you can hold up to your face while you’re doing other mostly hands-free things (like watching TV or reading). We recommend trying the Vicks Portable Steam Inhaler ($36).

4. Hot drinks

Slowly sipping a warm beverage gives you some steam time, too, though probably not as much as the methods above. That said, you’ll get the bonus of hydrating, which is important when you’re stuffed up. “Staying well-hydrated can help thin out the mucus in the nose and sinuses,” Dr. Hwang says.

Sipping chicken broth, warm plain water, or herbal tea when sick can help soothe your sinuses, so pick whichever sounds best to you, Dr. Hwang suggests. Caffeinated drinks like coffee or green or black tea may be less hydrating because they’ll make you pee more.

5. Menthol

Menthol, the cooling compound found in cough-relieving chest rubs like Vicks VapoRub ($6), doesn’t reduce nasal congestion, the Mayo Clinic notes. But it can make you feel like you’re breathing a little easier. “Menthol acts on nasal membrane receptors that create a cooling sensation in the nose. People who use menthol can have a sensation of improved nasal breathing because of this effect,” Dr. Hwang explains.

You’ll feel the effects when you put the rub on your chest. But just be careful not to ingest it or apply it over open cuts—its main ingredient, camphor, can cause side effects or toxicity if absorbed in large amounts. (This is why it’s best to avoid using it on children under age 2.) Also, be sure to wash your hands after applying chest rub—it can cause serious irritation if it gets into your eyes.

6. Spicy foods

Assuming you have the appetite for three-alarm chili or a fiery curry, spicy food might curb congestion by making your nose run for a few minutes. (That’s thanks to capsaicin, the compound in chili peppers that gives them their heat.)

That said, this might not be the best choice when dealing with a cold or allergies. Capsaicin makes your sinuses (and maybe your eyes) leak by triggering inflammation—and when you’re sick or congested, those areas are already inflamed. So, it might end up making your nose and throat more irritated. So maybe save the burrito for when you’re feeling better.

When to see your healthcare provider about a stuffy nose

Mild congestion that lasts for a couple of days is often something you can handle at home. However, severe or long-lasting symptoms typically warrant a call to your healthcare provider. Watch out for other symptoms like the following, per the Mayo Clinic:

• Congestion lasting longer than 10 days
• High fever
• Yellow or green mucus coming out of your nose, especially if it’s accompanied by pain or pressure
• Facial pain
• Bloody mucus