How can you relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa?

There are many ways to relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa today. The choice of the most effective one depends, first of all, on the reason that provoked this problem. Therefore, in order to properly treat edema, it is necessary to determine what caused it. Treatment should be both symptomatic (to remove the edema itself and the accompanying symptoms) and pathogenetic (to eliminate the cause and mechanism that triggers the development of edema). For example, acute and exacerbated chronic sinusitis is necessarily treated with antibiotics and nasal medications that help get rid of congestion and normalize breathing.

Let's talk about the symptoms of swelling of the nasal mucosa, and what means are used to treat edema on the nasal mucosa.

How to recognize swelling of the nasal mucosa

Severe swelling of the nose, of course, cannot go unnoticed. Due to the fact that the mucous membrane increases in volume, the nasal cavities swell. The inflamed tissue prevents air from passing freely. Consequently, the ability to breathe through the nose partially or completely disappears. Note that swelling of the nasal mucosa in an adult and a baby can be accompanied by completely different symptoms. It is they who, as a rule, give the doctor the opportunity to establish an accurate diagnosis or at least express a suspicion of a particular disease.

When the nose swells due to a bacterial or viral infection (the mucous membrane of the sinuses, in the nasal passages and throughout the nasopharynx is inflamed), signs of swelling can be expressed:

nasal discharge of a transparent color and thick consistency (mucus can also be mixed with pus);
burning and dryness in the nose;
high temperature;
periodic coughing;
headache;
a feeling of weakness, symptoms of intoxication (depending on the type of infection);
complicated nasal breathing (especially pronounced at night);
heaviness and pressure in the nasal cavity;
sore throat and sore throat;
pressure and pain in the sinus area, heaviness in the nasal wings and in the central part of the forehead, the release of purulent mucus mixed with blood (if it is sinusitis).

On visual examination, it is noticeable that the inside of the nasal cavity is edematous - it had time to swell. In the same way, the mucous membrane looks if the edema is of an allergic origin. Such puffiness is characterized by an accelerated increase in congestion and other symptoms:

repeated and violent sneezing;
lacrimation;
abundant secretion of clear mucus;
irritation and itching;
almost always - itching of the skin area near the nose;
in rare cases - perspiration and itching on the soft palate and in the throat.

If the swelling is caused by an injury, there will be no nasal discharge. But there will be swelling, congestion, problems with nasal breathing, night snoring, an unpleasant sensation in the nasopharynx.

Often, after an injury, the symptoms of nasal edema are more pronounced on one side of it. For example, if the baby stuck something into his nostril, the congestion will be just one-sided.

Ways to eliminate puffiness

Correct removal of swelling in the nose involves elimination of its causes, and not just the fight against symptoms. The otolaryngologist is engaged in determining the cause of the onset of puffiness. If everything in the nose is swollen due to injury, you will need to additionally visit a traumatologist. He will explain in detail what to do.

As a rule, doctors offer several ways to get rid of swelling of the nasal mucosa. The choice in favor of one or another option is made after an accurate diagnosis has been established and the patient's history has been collected. Let's list them:

Herbal medicine - involves irrigation of the nasal passages with his own hand prepared decoctions of medicinal herbs.
Drug therapy - special means are used to narrow blood vessels (most often these are nasal aerosols or drops), as well as antihistamines (they can be taken only when the doctor has found out that the nasal mucosa is swollen as a result of allergies).
Inhalation using a natural essential oil prescribed by a doctor.
Laser therapy. This procedure is carried out only in a medical institution (clinic or medical center). First, the swollen mucous membrane is covered with a special photosensitive gel. Then the doctor proceeds directly to the effect of the laser.
Capillary therapy. This manipulation can only be carried out by the attending physician. It is prescribed if the nasal mucosa swells due to the pathology of the vessels of the nasal cavity. Capillary therapy involves the use of special mineral ointments.

If the cause is allergy

If the allergy is to blame for the swelling of the nasal mucosa, the doctor prescribes medications that help to remove the swelling as soon as possible. As a rule, these are drops for vasoconstriction, glucocorticoids and stabilizers of mast cell membranes. Let's consider them in more detail.

Nasal drops for vasoconstriction. It is impractical to use these drugs for allergies without supplementing them with anything. After all, they have a short-term effect. Such medicines are only useful as an adjuvant. Most often, doctors prescribe "Otrivin", "Nazivin", "Xylometazoline" and the like.
Glucocorticoids. They have the highest efficiency, as they help to quickly relieve puffiness. Even in the case when the nose is very swollen, this symptom is eliminated in the shortest possible time and for a long time. One inhalation will be enough to safely forget about a stuffy nose for the whole day. The most popular among glucocorticoids are deservedly used "Nazarel", "Fliksonase", "Nazonex" and several others. It is permissible for children to use these drugs from the age of 4. However, they are categorically contraindicated for pregnant women.
Mast cell membrane stabilizers. These drugs are not used as widely as the ones mentioned above. At the same time, they make it possible to effectively and, most importantly, quickly get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of an allergic rhinitis. They help even in difficult cases - when the nose has already become completely swollen. The doctor prescribes them if the patient does not tolerate nasal glucocorticoids or they are contraindicated for him. The advantage of drugs in this category is that even pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding can take them. For children, these drugs are allowed from 2 years old. Here are some examples: "Cromohexal", "Lekrolin", "Ifiral" and the like.

For a respiratory infection

To remove swelling from the nasal mucosa, if it is formed as a result of a respiratory infection, drugs of 2 categories help: drops for vasoconstriction and saline solutions used for washing.

Drops for vasoconstriction. This is just a salvation for a swollen nose. They must be applied as soon as the first symptoms of edema begin to be felt. Drops not only help to restore full nasal breathing, but also prevent infections from joining. Preparations from this category are allowed to be used even for babies (from 1 month after birth). The action of the drugs can be characterized as quite fast. In addition, they relieve congestion for a long time, which is the main symptom of infectious and inflammatory edema of the nasal mucosa. We emphasize that pregnant women are strictly prohibited from using such drops. It is also important not to forget that it is impossible to be treated with nasal vasoconstrictor drops for a long time. The deadline for use is a week.
Salt solutions for rinsing the nose.The solutions offered in the pharmacy are prepared on the basis of natural sea salt. It reduces swelling of the nasal mucosa due to its osmotic properties. Moreover, it is an excellent antiseptic. Such saline solutions can be safely used even for newborns (literally from the day of birth), as well as for pregnant women and women who feed their baby with breast milk. Most often, doctors prescribe Aquamaris and Aqualor.

Traditional methods

You can put in order the swollen mucous membrane of the nose with the help of various folk remedies. Often they are used for mild colds, runny nose and if the nose is completely stuffy. Let's consider what they are and how to make them.

Nasal drops:

Honey. It is necessary to combine natural honey with pure water in equal proportions. The resulting drug should be instilled into the nose 3 to 5 times a day.
Made from honey and aloe. The juice squeezed from the leaves of aloe must be combined with natural honey in equal quantities. You need to drip 3 drops of this agent into each nostril. The procedure must be repeated up to 5 times a day. Such drops relieve puffiness well and accelerate the healing of the inflamed mucosa.
From Kalanchoe juice. It is necessary to squeeze the juice from the Kalanchoe leaves and bury it 1 drop in each nostril. The procedure should be repeated 3-4 times a day.
Sea buckthorn. Sea buckthorn oil should be instilled 1 drop into each nostril. You need to do this exercise several times a day.

Nasal rinsing is considered the safest way to relieve nasal congestion and mucosal edema. It is allowed to be used by both young children and pregnant women. This procedure helps to liquefy the mucous secretion and accelerates its excretion.

The nasal cavity, as a rule, is washed with a personally prepared salt solution (a teaspoon of ordinary table or sea salt must be dissolved in 0.5 liters of water at a comfortable temperature). Iodine can also be dripped into salted water (only 1 drop). The finished solution must be poured into one nostril and released through the other. It is unacceptable to swallow it.

If you don't like the salt solution, you can use an alternative - decoctions of calendula or chamomile.

Inhalation is another method. Healing vapors facilitate nasal breathing, eliminate puffiness and runny nose, at the same time cope with congestion. The most effective are the following types of home inhalation:

Potato. The potatoes should be cooked "in uniforms", removed from the pan, and the procedure should be carried out over the resulting broth.
Oil - for inhalation, it is best to use fir, pine and cedar essential oils.
Salt. It is made with a solution of table or sea salt, to which you can also add baking soda.

Applying the listed folk remedies, it is necessary to take into account that it is wrong to treat a swollen nose with some "grandmother's" recipes. The fact is that the cause of the swelling of the nasal mucosa may be some serious pathology - for example, inflammation of the sinuses located in the paranasal space.

Let's summarize

Swelling of the nasal mucosa is the most common symptom of a cold or allergy. However, these are not the only reasons. The nose can become swollen as a result of injury, freezing, and even from addiction to bad habits.

Therefore, the key factor when choosing a method, how to treat a swollen mucous membrane, is the timely determination of a specific diagnosis.

A timely visit to an experienced otolaryngologist will significantly increase the chances of correct diagnosis. He will listen to complaints, conduct an examination and tell you what needs to be done in order to quickly and without harm to health cure the ailment that provoked the swelling of the nasal mucosa. In order for recovery to occur as quickly as possible, it is necessary to scrupulously fulfill all the doctor's appointments and not neglect folk methods.