Alternate Names: Obstruction of the nose; Nose congested; Nasal obstruction; Congested nose; Deviated nasal septum; Nose obstruction; Stuffy nose; Rhinitis medicamentosa
Considerations: A stuffy nose is usually caused by a virus and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
Nasal congestion has many causes and can range from a mild annoyance to a life-threatening condition. The newborn infant is an obligate nose breather (must breathe through the nose). Nasal congestion in an infant in the first few months of life can interfere with nursing and cause life-threatening breathing difficulty. Nasal congestion in older children and adolescents is often just an annoyance but can cause other difficulties.
Nasal congestion can interfere with the ears, hearing, and speech development. Significant congestion may interfere with sleep, cause snoring, and can be associated with episodes of not breathing during sleep (sleep apnea). In children, nasal congestion from enlarged adenoids has caused chronic sleep apnea with insufficient oxygen levels (hypoxia) and right-sided heart failure. The problem resolves completely with removal of the adenoids and tonsils.
Common Causes:
Home Care: Drink plenty of fluids, more than usual. Water, fruit juice, teas, and carbonated drinks are recommended. Rest as much as possible. Increase air moisture with a vaporizer or humidifier.
Neither influenza nor the common cold can be cured with medication; however, nonprescription drugs, such as acetaminophen, decongestants, nose drops or sprays, cough remedies (Cough/Cold Combinations - oral), and throat lozenges may provide some symptom relief.
For a stuffy nose caused by hay fever, avoid exposure to as many allergens (such as pets, foods that cause allergic reaction, and dust) as possible. Antihistamines and decongestants help relieve symptoms but do not cure hay fever.
For a baby too young to blow his or her nose, use an infant nasal aspirator. If mucus is thick and sticky, loosen it by putting 2 or 3 drops of salt solution (consisting of one-half teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of warm water) 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.
For an infant or very young child, lay the child on the stomach to sleep. This improves nasal drainage and breathing.
Call If:
- the stuffy nose is accompanied by swelling of the face (forehead, eyes, side of the nose, or cheek) or blurred vision.
- there is increased throat pain, or white or yellow spots on the tonsils or other parts of the throat.
- there are coughing episodes that last longer that 10 days or if the cough produces yellow-green or gray sputum.
- a stuffy nose lasts longer than 2 weeks and impairs lifestyle.
What To Expect: The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting your symptom in detail may include:
- time pattern
- When did it develop?
- Is it always present?
- How long has it lasted?
- relieving factors
- What have you done to try to relieve the congestion?
- How well has it worked?
- other
The physical examination may include an examination of the upper respiratory system, ears, nose, and throat.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:Intervention:
Over-the-counter medications may be recommended (see antihistamines and decongestants). Stronger, prescription medications may be advised. For severe hay fever cases, desensitization injections for known allergens may be administered. Other treatment, including surgery, may be advised depending on the cause.
After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to nasal congestion to your personal medical record.
