While blowing your nose with all your might is an instinctive step for most people to deal with a stuffy nose, understand that it actually risks making the blood vessels in the nose inflamed or causing a sinus infection if not done properly. To blow your nose properly and even prevent it from forming again in the future, try reading the simple tips listed in this article!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Blowing Your Snot Properly
Step 1. Cover your nose with a tissue or handkerchief
Wipes are able to prevent germs from spreading because they can be thrown away immediately after use. Meanwhile, handkerchiefs have a greater chance of spreading the virus, but their use is more environmentally friendly than tissue.
- If you have a cold, flu, or other illness caused by a virus, it's a good idea to use a tissue to prevent the virus from spreading. However, if you have allergies, a handkerchief is a better option.
- Don't have a tissue or handkerchief? Use toilet paper as an alternative option. Most importantly, don't blow your nose with rough materials like kitchen towels or napkins, OK!
- If your skin is sensitive, try buying wipes that have lotion or other moisturizing ingredients in them.
Step 2. Press on one nostril to blow the mucus out of the open nostril
Make sure the pressure is strong enough that the closed nostrils cannot be used to breathe. After that, cover the nose area with a tissue or handkerchief so that the snot that comes out does not hit your hands.
- Basically, asking permission to resign to blow the stuffy nose is what most people consider polite.
- If you're in a public place, go to the bathroom or close the door before blowing your nose.
Step 3. Blow your nose slowly with the help of a tissue or handkerchief
As much as possible, push the snot out with minimal force, especially since spraying with too much force can infect your sinuses and make your symptoms worse. If no mucus comes out despite your best efforts, don't try again.
- Do not forget to clean the remaining mucus that sticks outside the nostrils afterwards.
- Spraying snot with too much force also risks making the blood vessels in the nose even more inflamed. Therefore, if no mucus comes out, it means that the mucus is too thick or the location of the blockage in your nose is too high.
Step 4. Repeat the process on the other nostril
Press the nostril that is clean of mucus, then blow the mucus from the other nostril slowly. If done correctly, your sinus cavities will not be infected.
- Trust me, the mucus will be easier to remove if the process is carried out in stages as listed in the method above.
- Immediately dispose of the tissue after use so that the germs in it are not spread.
Step 5. Push the snot out instead of spraying it
Instead of squirting your nose and risking injuring your nose with too much pressure, try pressing the center of your nose and then pushing the snot out with the help of your fingers.
Step 6. Wash your hands properly
In other words, make sure you always wash your hands with soapy water, then rinse them thoroughly with the help of running tap water. After that, dry your hands using a kitchen cloth or special towel to prevent bacteria from spreading and infecting others.
In fact, antibacterial soap is just as effective as regular soap
Method 2 of 2: Dilute Mucus and Prevent It From Rebuilding
Step 1. Take a decongestant or antihistamine to prevent mucus from forming again
Basically, over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines can reduce mucus production and the potential for nasal congestion from a sinus infection or cold. Generally, both are sold in pill or spray form, and you can easily buy them at pharmacies without the need for a doctor's prescription.
Although very effective for treating symptoms of rhinitis or allergies, antihistamines are actually less effective for treating colds or flu
Step 2. Spray the saline solution into your nostrils
Today, saline sprays can be easily purchased without a prescription at most pharmacies or large supermarkets. To use it, the saline solution only needs to be sprayed into each nostril in turn.
Saline spray can reduce mucus buildup in the nose
Step 3. Apply a warm compress on the nose to loosen the mucus in it
To make a warm compress, all you need to do is run a towel with hot water and then dry it until the towel remains damp, but not wet. After that, place a warm compress on your nose and forehead for 1-2 minutes. Supposedly, this step is effective in opening the blockage in the nose and loosening the texture of the mucus in it.
Step 4. Inhale the steam of the eucalyptus oil solution to remove excess mucus production
First, bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove, then pour a few drops of eucalyptus oil into it. After the solution of water and eucalyptus oil boils, immediately inhale the steam that comes out to overcome the problem of nasal congestion and make the mucus easier to expel.
If you don't have eucalyptus oil, inhaling ordinary steam can also reduce mucus production and treat a stuffy nose
Step 5. Avoid allergens that risk clogging your nose
Reducing exposure to allergens is effective in reducing mucus production and preventing congestion in the nose. As a result, you don't have to blow your nose too often. Generally, allergens to avoid are animal dander and pollen.
