Nose permanently blocked

[logo1236]

I'm not talking a few days, it has been blocked for 2 years now! Obviously I use nose spray to unblock it temporarily, but I would like this issue fixed. Has anyone had the same problem and how did you fix it?

Try cutting out dairy for 4 weeks!! I did and it was life changing...do you have a cat? That's the other thing that blocks me up!

See your gp (if you can!)

They'll probably provide a steroid nasal spray and if that doesn't work they can look at other causes.

I don't have a cat. I will try the no diary thing, thank you

The nose spray could be making it worse. If I use a nose spray for too long it gives me rebound congestion which is worse than the initial congestion. Try stopping using it.

It took stopping dairy for me plus

[shudder]

swallowing a crushed clove of raw garlic first thing in the morning, followed by a big glass of water. I can literally feel my sinuses drying up when I do this. It doesn't work instantly, usually takes a good few days maybe a fortnight of daily garlic.

In the evening before bed I also inhale steam from hot water with a drop or two of frankincense oil. I have a handy plastic cup with a mouth/nose piece which makes it easy to inhale the steam (easier than a bowl of water and towel over the head).

No decongestants (if used for too long they cause rebound congestion). Try a nasal rinse (NeilMed or similar) regularly.
If this doesn't help after a month get GP to look up to check for polyps/other issues and/or ENT referral.

Try and wean yourself off the decongestant spray, it has a rebound effect with continued use so is actually making your blocked nose worse. I am speaking from experience, I was addicted to nasal spray for years. Get some Sterimar saline spray (Boots sell it) and use that, along with some Olbas oil for nighttime. It will be hell for a while but fingers crossed it works for you.

Do you have asthma @logo1236 ? The two are linked if you do

Do you work somewhere that has aircon? My sinuses are terrible if I’ve been in an office/long train journey/flight due to aircon. Hotel rooms can also be a nightmare for me.

I use smelling salts and, if it’s really bad those menthol crystals in hot water.

When mine is blocked, I take a sprig of fresh (not got any dried) Thyme, boil a kettle of water and pour it over the herb (in as wider mug as you have)and let it brew four minutes.
I usually add thin slices of fresh ginger too.
Then I add enough cold water to make it “safe” to add a spoon of raw unprocessed honey.
Adding the beneficial honey to too hot water, ruins the benefits.
when you drink it, also breathe in the steam from the Thyme water.
Hope it helps in some way, if not, it’s a very pleasant drink.. I do it three times a day, for about a week, and for me, it makes a difference.
Good luck OP, it’s not nice to feel all stuffed up.
I agree with cutting out the dairy.
When my dc used to sing (publicly) he cut out dairy for a couple of days beforehand, and his voice wasn’t sounding nasal at all..

I had this for over 2 years and Otrivine helped initially, but then it got worse. GP referred me to ENT and I was given some steroid nasal drops for 3 months and now manage it with Sterimar Breathe Easy Daily, which was prescribed. I was also given a steroid nasal spray, but it made my nose bleed. I would go to your GP.

I would agree with no dairy, it's helped me a lot

I don't suppose you had a baby around when it started? I had a blocked nose for around a year after I gave birth then I randomly went away!

Stop breathing through your mouth. Read ‘Breath’ by James Nestor. It’s appalling for general health and becomes a cycle that needs to be broken. I rarely mouth breathe now, it becomes habit.

The reason your nose is blocked is because of the decongestant you’re using. You need to stop using it. I had the same problem. My nose was blocked for about 5 years. I weaned myself off the spray. There’s a few ways. You can do 1 nostril at a time. Or. I mixed the spray with saline over a period of time which lessened the dose I was getting and then after a while it stopped being blocked

Have you damaged it,