The secret weapon you need in your nasal congestion-clearing toolkit
Just when you thought stuffy nose season was behind you, spring arrives with its hay fever and allergies, bringing with it the dreaded nasal congestion.
Winter is over, the sun is out, your social life is finally resurrecting itself after months of lights out at 9pm and … your nose is red and blocked by excess mucus.
And, along with it, sinuses that feel swollen and just, well, yuck.
What causes nasal congestion?
A stuffy or congested nose occurs when something irritates the tissues1 that line it, setting off a chain reaction of inflammation, swelling and mucus production.
The mucus is your immune system kicking in, flooding your nose to ‘wash away’ the intruders.
Nasal congestion can strike at any time, and while it’s often associated with the common cold, spring allergies can also be a major culprit.
Sometimes the congestion clears in a week or two. But it can – annoyingly – last a lot longer than that at certain times of the year, especially if you’re sensitive to things like pollen or pet dander2.
And it’s nothing to sneeze at, affecting your ability to breathe through your nose.
How can I relieve nasal congestion?
Using steam inhalation with a few drops of eucalyptus oil can help relieve4 a stuffy nose.
It’s also important to stay hydrated. Placing a warm or cool cloth (whichever is more comfortable) over the aching area on your face can also provide relief4.
You can also try gently blowing your nose, one nostril at a time. And get lots of rest!
The secret weapon in your nasal congestion-clearing arsenal
Nasal saline is great for clearing excess mucus, either on its own or when used before a medicated spray to increase the effectiveness.
FESS offers a range of nasal saline products, including sprays and washes, designed to cater to different preferences and needs.
There’s FESS Original Nasal Saline spray, an easy-to-use spray for relief from nasal congestion due to excess mucus and a non-medicated approach to maintaining nasal health.
For those after a more comprehensive nasal cleansing experience, try the FESS Nasal & Sinus Wash Gentle Strength Isotonic Wash Kit.
The Australian-made product is specially designed to wash away allergens, dust, pollen, and excess mucus, providing relief from nasal congestion.
There’s also FESS Children’s and FESS Little Noses Spray, gentle saline to help blocked noses for your little ones by cleaning and cleaning nasal passages.
FESS nasal saline sprays and washes are approved by the National Asthma Council Sensitive Choice® program.
For step-by-step guidance on using FESS Nasal Saline products, you can check out the handy “how-to” videos available on the National Asthma Council website.
Trust in FESS for relief from nasal congestion and breathe easier each day, whatever your age.
* This post is brought to you by FESS. Care Pharmaceuticals is a licensed partner and proud sponsor of the National Asthma Council’s Sensitive Choice® program. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
1Pathophysiology of nasal congestion. R Naclerio, C Bachert, J Baraniuk. s.l. : Int J Gen Med, 2010, Vol. 3.
2Hay fever (allergic rhinitis). HealthDirect. [Online] [Cited: 13 October 2023.] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hay-fever.
3Sinusitis. Better Health Channel. [Online] [Cited: 13 October 2023.] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sinusitis.
4Sinusitis. HealthDirect. [Online] [Cited: 13 October 2023.] https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/sinusitis.
