Humidifier for clogged nose at nighttime?

[duragezic]

Just about every single night, my nostrils get very clogged at night (clogged like a toilet that just got punished). Depending what side I lay on, one of them tends to clear up somewhat, but not very much. So I breathe out of my mouth, which I know isn't good since it makes you more prone to sickness, and I wake up all the time to reach for my bottle of water since my mouth is dry as hell.

I have allergies but none of the meds I have seem to do anything for the night-time stuffy nose. I live in pretty old and shady house, but my room is always kept clean and vacuumed.

The only thing I can think of would be to try a humidifier. It seems to be worse in the winter now than before.

But before I go and spend the $$ on it, I wanted to see if anyone has had the same problem and had it solved with a humidifier. Or anything else that might work? Do those nose strips work at all?

 

[robphelan]

the only things that ever worked on my allergies were claritin D (not regular claritin) and Nasonex...

EDIT: nosestrips didn't work at all - you have to pinch them on your nose - thereby constricting your nostrils prior to them pulling open

 

[lokiju]

Try those Breathe Right strips.

They work very well for me.


Also I just got a humidifier this past weekend since I've been sick and it's really helped my dry throat at night.

I think the brand is Reli or something like that and it was about $25 from Wal-Mart.

 

[Enfer Singe]

If it is just at night I would try nose strips and some afrin no drip before getting a humidifier although in the long run that might be a good idea

 

[MX2]

A cool mist humidifier works well for me. Its certainly worth a try. Just remember, you MUST keep a humidifier clean.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: MX2
A cool mist humidifier works well for me. Its certainly worth a try. Just remember, you MUST keep a humidifier clean.

I don't know where now but I read not to use a cool mist one.

 

[nakedfrog]

Have you tried changing your furnace filter more often?

 

[Mermaidman]

Once your congestion has started, the only thing that will help quickly is Sudafed. It's addictive in the sense that when you stop using it, there may be a rebound effect, so I use it sparingly. In addition to a humidifier, I suggest taking allergy meds on a regular basis, not just when you start having symptons.

 

[duragezic]

Sudafed or its variants usually use pseudoephedrine or now there is some new kind that doesn't use it but with similar effects. The couple times I've taken them, they keep me awake a little bit. Taking just one doesn't get me wired or anything, but considering its happening at night I don't think it'd be too good to take those.

Anyway I got a small humidifier today. I'll see how it goes for the next couple of days. If it doesn't work, it's getting returned!

edit: The gas furnace in the house is very new (put in Aug 2006) by our landlord. I'm not sure if that involved changing the filter or not. None of the houses to rent here are very new or clean.

 

[johnjbruin]

Cheap $25 hot-steam humidifer worked decent for me. Its slow and steady - but works decent.
I would suggest getting a bigger one because mine runs out of a gallon of water in like 4hrs.

 

[marleymarl]

Originally posted by: robphelan
the only things that ever worked on my allergies were claritin D (not regular claritin) and Nasonex...

EDIT: nosestrips didn't work at all - you have to pinch them on your nose - thereby constricting your nostrils prior to them pulling open

Another vote for Nasonex. I have allergies and I take Nasonex (prescription) and singulair and I sleep much better.

 

[MX2]

Originally posted by: lokiju

Originally posted by: MX2
A cool mist humidifier works well for me. Its certainly worth a try. Just remember, you MUST keep a humidifier clean.

I don't know where now but I read not to use a cool mist one.

Oh really? I would be interested in reading some info on that if you can dig it up.

 

[Leros]

Take a hot steamy shower before bed to get a head start on loosening up the mucus. And lie on your back so the mucus can drain out of your sinuses.

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: robphelan
the only things that ever worked on my allergies were claritin D (not regular claritin) and Nasonex...

EDIT: nosestrips didn't work at all - you have to pinch them on your nose - thereby constricting your nostrils prior to them pulling open

Put pencils in your nose while applying them.

And I don't get why more humidity in the room would clear your nose. You say the nostril on the side you don't sleep on clears up more, which means your snot isn't solidifying anyway. I would try the breathe right strips first.

 

[Jawo]

Plain old saline solution nose spray works wonders with allergy shots for me!

 

[totalcommand]

Originally posted by: duragezic
Just about every single night, my nostrils get very clogged at night (clogged like a toilet that just got punished). Depending what side I lay on, one of them tends to clear up somewhat, but not very much. So I breathe out of my mouth, which I know isn't good since it makes you more prone to sickness, and I wake up all the time to reach for my bottle of water since my mouth is dry as hell.

I have allergies but none of the meds I have seem to do anything for the night-time stuffy nose. I live in pretty old and shady house, but my room is always kept clean and vacuumed.

The only thing I can think of would be to try a humidifier. It seems to be worse in the winter now than before.

But before I go and spend the $$ on it, I wanted to see if anyone has had the same problem and had it solved with a humidifier. Or anything else that might work? Do those nose strips work at all?

Humidifier. And you can get these eucalyptus nose drops that work well at night.

 

[Squisher]

nedi-pot
breath-right strips
humidifier