Nasal congestion

Date Updated: 03/02/2023

Definition

Nasal congestion, also called stuffy nose, is a feeling of fullness in the nose or face. There also might be fluid running or dripping out of the nose or down the back of the throat.

Nasal congestion is often called rhinorrhea or rhinitis. But the terms are different. Rhinorrhea involves a thin, mostly clear fluid running from the nose. Rhinitis involves irritation and swelling inside the nose.

Rhinitis is the usual cause of nasal congestion.

Causes

Anything that irritates the inside of the nose can cause a stuffy nose. Infections — such as colds, flu or sinusitis — and allergies often cause stuffy and runny noses. Irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke, perfume, dust and car exhaust, also can cause these symptoms.

Some people have noses that are stuffy and run all the time without a known reason. This is called nonallergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis.

A polyp, an object such as a small toy stuck in the nose, or a tumor might cause the nose to run from only one side. Sometimes migraine-like headaches can cause a runny nose.

Possible causes of nasal congestion include:

Acute sinusitis
Alcohol
Allergies
Chronic sinusitis
Churg-Strauss syndrome
Cold or dry air
Common cold
Decongestant nasal spray overuse
Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Food, especially spicy dishes
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Hormonal changes
Influenza (flu)
Medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, depression, seizures and other conditions
Nasal polyps
Nonallergic rhinitis
Object in the nose
Pregnancy
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Sleep apnea
Thyroid conditions
Tobacco smoke

When to see a doctor

For adults — See a health care provider if:

You have symptoms for more than 10 days.
You have a high fever.
What's coming from your nose is yellow or green. You also have sinus pain or fever. This may be a sign of a bacterial infection.
What's coming from your nose is bloody. Or your nose keeps running after a head injury.
Your face hurts.

For children — See a health care provider if:

Your child's symptoms don't get better or get worse.
Your baby's stuffy nose causes problems with nursing or breathing.

Self-care

Until you see a care provider, try these simple steps to relieve symptoms:

Avoid allergy causes.
Try an allergy medicine you can get without a prescription. If you're also sneezing and your eyes are itching or watering, your nose might be running because of allergies. Be sure to follow the label instructions exactly.
For babies, put several saline drops into one nostril. Then gently suction that nostril with a soft rubber-bulb syringe.

To relieve saliva that builds up at the back of the throat, also known as postnasal drip, try these measures:

Avoid common irritants such as cigarette smoke and sudden humidity changes.
Drink plenty of liquids, such as water, juice or broth. Liquids help break up congestion.
Use nasal saline sprays or rinses.