Press fingertips on either side of the nose (at the bridge), then move outward along the brow bones to help drain sinuses. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications Use these when home remedies aren’t enough. Always check labels for interactions and contraindications (e.g., high blood pressure, thyroid disease, pregnancy).
| Type | Examples | How It Works | Key Cautions | |------|----------|--------------|---------------| | | Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, behind pharmacy counter), Phenylephrine (less effective) | Shrinks blood vessels in nasal passages | Can raise blood pressure, cause insomnia, jitteriness. Not for infants. | | Nasal decongestant sprays | Oxymetazoline (Afrin, Vicks Sinex) | Rapid, powerful relief within minutes | Do not use >3 days – causes rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa). | | Antihistamines | Loratadine (Claritin), Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Diphenhydramine (Benadryl – sedating) | Blocks histamine; best for allergy-related congestion | Non-sedating for daytime; sedating ones help sleep but cause drowsiness. | | Nasal steroid sprays | Fluticasone (Flonase), Budesonide (Rhinocort) | Reduces inflammation over days/weeks | For chronic or allergic congestion. Safe for long-term use. Slow onset (12–24 hrs). | | Decongestant + antihistamine combos | Actifed, Claritin-D | Dual action for colds or allergies | Contains pseudoephedrine; check blood pressure. |
Place a warm, damp cloth over the nose and forehead for 5–10 minutes to ease sinus pressure and improve mucus flow.
