Every year, millions of people are affected by the irritating symptom. Typically, a stuffy nose is harmless and clears up within a few days, but that time period can be uncomfortable.
What really causes a stuffy nose and can anything cure it? These are some of the reasons and when there are signs that something more serious is happening.
Common causes of the “stuffy nose”
The causes of a stuffy nose can have many different roots, some that might require treatment and some that are just part of a person’s anatomy, according to Dr. Anthony Del Signore, the director of rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery at Mount Sinai Downtown.
A cold or flu might bring a sinus infection, particles in the air can trigger allergies and some people are just more prone to sinus problem.
Most of the time, what people refer to as a stuffy nose is caused by an upper respiratory virus, Dr. Erich P. Voigt, a clinical associate professor of otolaryngology at NYU Langone Health told TODAY.
“I’m sure every person around has had a cold,” he said. “The most common cause of a stuffed nose for a short period of time is a cold virus. With cold viruses, it’s usually self-limited, so it’ll last maybe three to five days.”
The second most common cause of a congested nose is allergies, which can have longer-term effects and cause the lining in the nose becomes inflamed, creating the congestion, according to Del Signore.
“If it’s a year-round problem, where it’s stuffy all the time, it’s typically a dust or mold allergy that gives people a chronically stuffy nose,” said Voigt.
When it’s more seasonal or environmental, specific pollens or other seasonal conditions may trigger a stuffy nose and other allergy symptoms.
Less commonly, physical afflictions like a deviated septum or growths like nasal polyps or adenoids can create a problem. These are more long-lasting and typically require more thorough treatment than allergies or the common cold.
Is there a cure for a stuffy nose?
While most colds and viruses go away without any treatment, a decongestant or other over-the-counter medication, like saline nasal spray, can reduce and treat symptoms. Voigt recommends steam and staying hydrated to keep mucus moving, while Del Signore recommends options like nasal rinses and Neti-Pots.
Over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays, which often contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, should only be used in “emergency situations” and for no more than three days, according to Voigt.
“After a few days, the sprays cause rebound swelling in the nose,” he said. “You end up more swollen than when you started. And they also have an addiction potential that people keep spraying more and more to try to get it to work and it stops working and the nose will swell completely shut.”
Oral decongestants don’t cause such extreme side effects, but are “very strong medicines” that can interact with other medications or conditions. It’s important to read the fine print on the labels, Voigt said.
If a stuffy nose persists for several weeks, it might be time to seek medical treatment.
