8 Different Ways to Clear Your Blocked Sinuses

Blocked sinuses can be uncomfortable, interrupt sleep, and cause headaches. There are ways to clear your sinuses relatively quickly, but there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

Jump to Key Takeaways.

1. Staying Hydrated

Drinking enough fluids so your body is adequately hydrated is crucial for sinus clearance because the mucus in your nasal and sinus cavities can thicken and build up if you’re dehydrated.

Keeping a bottle of water close to you throughout the day is a helpful way to ensure you’re getting enough.

2. Use Steam or a Humidifier

Steam is a great way to clear sinuses because it helps to moisten the mucous membranes, allowing them to move more freely through your sinus cavity and nasal passage.

To use steam, you can use hot water from a shower and breathe in the vapor, or place your face over a recently boiled pot with a towel over your head to keep the steam in. A humidifier will also have a similar effect.

3. Keep Your Head Raised During Sleep

Congestion can worsen overnight if your head is level with the bed. If you want to reduce congestion, raising your head will allow gravity to encourage blockages to clear while you sleep.

4. Use Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil can relieve nasal congestion and has antimicrobial effects that encourage your body to get over a cold or flu faster.

To use eucalyptus oil for blocked sinuses, apply it to tissue paper, put it next to your bed, and breathe it in overnight, or mix it with steaming water and inhale it.

The oil works by loosening the mucus so it can be coughed or blown out of the body more easily. 

5. Try a Warm Wet Towel

Applying a warm, wet towel to your face will reduce inflammation of the sinuses, which can help reduce congestion.

6. Rinse with Salt Water

Rinsing with salt water is a great way to reduce congestion build-up in the nose. The salt water opens the nasal passages by clearing out thick and dried mucus. You can use a neti pot, nasal irrigator, or bulb syringe.

7. Get Over-the-Counter Medication

You can get several medications from your local drugstore to help clear up congestion. They include:

• Decongestants that come in a nasal spray, gel, or drops
• Oral decongestants
• Mucolytic medications that are often found in cough suppressant drugs
• Antihistamines

8. Try Sticky Nasal Strips

While nasal strips can’t directly clear congestion, they can provide relief and allow you to breathe easier by opening up the nasal passageways.

What Helps Chronic Nasal Congestion?

At-home therapies, such as the ones above, can help with chronic nasal congestion, but the best way to find adequate treatment is to find a cause.

Once you have figured out what is causing the congestion, a healthcare provider can give you the right course of action to clear the sinuses for lasting relief.

When to Check With a Provider

Nasal congestion can be uncomfortable to deal with, but is often harmless. If you notice any of the following signs along with nasal congestion, you should see a healthcare provider:

• A fever lasting three to four days
  
• Lack of smell and taste
  
• Your symptoms improve, then worsen or last for longer than 10 days
• Severe headache or facial pain
  

Key Takeaways

• Nasal congestion can lead to difficulty sleeping and headaches, so it’s essential to address it at the first sign. You may have to try multiple approaches before finding one that works.
• If you’re experiencing other symptoms or nothing relieves your congestion, it’s crucial to call a healthcare provider. They will help determine what is causing it and help you find an adequate solution.