How can I treat nasal congestion without medication?
There are ways that you can treat nasal congestion without medication. Medicines are not the only way to relieve a stuffy or runny nose. Often, gentler solutions are better. Try these steps to thin the mucus, which can help you breathe easier and get your nasal secretions back to normal:
- Use gentle saline nasal sprays.
- Increase the humidity in the air with a vaporizer or humidifier.
- Drink extra fluids. Hot tea, broth, or chicken soup may be especially helpful.
Treating nasal congestion for infants and babies
For a baby too young to blow his or her nose, an infant nasal aspirator (bulb) can help remove the
mucus. If the mucus is thick and sticky, loosen it by putting 2 or 3 saline nose
drops into each nostril. Don't insert cotton swabs into a child's nostrils. Instead, catch
the discharge outside the nostril on a tissue or swab, roll it around, and pull the discharge
out of the nose.
Congestion is often worse when you are lying down. Keep upright, or at least keep the head
elevated. This is especially helpful for young children.
If you're looking for more specific answers to specific questions, ask a Walgreens pharmacist here.
DISCLAIMER:
Answers to questions regarding information about medications or health conditions are not for
diagnostic or treatment purposes and are not conclusive as to the presence or absence of any
health condition. Consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment of your medical condition.
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. Advances in medicine may cause
this information to become outdated, invalid or subject to debate. Professional opinions and
interpretations of the scientific literature may vary. Walgreens' terms of use and general
warranty disclaimer apply to all services provided. If you are in need of immediate medical
attention, contact your physician, poison control center or emergency medical professional. If
you need to speak with a pharmacist for non-emergency matters, contact your local Walgreens
pharmacist or call a Walgreens.com pharmacist toll-free at 1 (877) 250-5823.
