The remedies for a stuffy nose that you should not smell! We test some of the best products on the road

Whether you have an allergy or a cold, what works best for a stuffy nose?

Mandy Francis asked Pavol Surda, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and London Bridge Hospital, to review products that promise to bring relief. We then noted them down.

Vicks Sinus VH200E Inhaler

£ 34.99, argos.co.uk

Claim: A hair dryer-sized gadget that heats a few tablespoons of water to produce steam, which you then inhale through a mask for five to 15 minutes to “relieve symptoms of sinusitis, allergies, coughs and colds ”.

Expert verdict: A runny nose or a cold is caused by a viral infection, while with allergies the congestion is triggered by histamine – a chemical released by the immune system when it comes in contact with allergy triggers such as pollen or animal hair. .

Steam is a traditional remedy for nasal congestion because it is believed to release mucus, making it easier to remove when blowing your nose. But the data shows no scientific benefit to using steam to reduce congestion.

Users may find the heat soothing, and the addition of minty scent can trigger the sensory nerves in the nose, making you feel less cluttered.

But steam won’t help kill a common cold or hay fever – you need medicine to tackle the root cause. Since the steam can scald the delicate lining of your nose, I do not recommend using it.

3/10

Nurofen Sinus and Stuffy Nose Tablets

16 tablets, £ 5.50, most drugstores

Claim: Relief from sinus pain and stuffy nose for “up to eight hours” is provided by the anti-inflammatory ibuprofen as well as the decongestant phenylephrine hydrochloride.

Expert verdict: One of the top drugs recommended for relieving cold symptoms, including a stuffy nose, is ibuprofen because it reduces inflammation.

The decongestant phenylephrine hydrochloride has been added to relieve congestion – however, data shows that it is no more effective than a placebo.

Ibuprofen can irritate the stomach, so take the lowest possible dose and do not use it for more than ten consecutive days.

7/10

Neilmed claimant

£ 30, johnbellcroyden.co.uk

Claim: You fill the bottom of this cordless device with 8 fl oz of saline solution (using the pouches provided), then insert the soft tip into one of your nostrils.

A light jet of salt water is released, which passes through the nasal cavity and exits through the opposite nostril to “drive away dust or irritants that cause sneezing, itching and runny nose.”

The manufacturer says it can be used for “allergies, congestion, nasal flu, cold, and congestion symptoms.”

Expert verdict: A nasal shower like this – used once or twice a day – is recommended by healthcare professionals for runny nose and congestion caused by colds and allergies. It is one of the few treatments that can improve cold symptoms because the salt and water mixture physically flushes out mucus, bacteria, and allergens, which will reduce swelling in the nasal cavity.

However, you can make one yourself, by dissolving a teaspoon of salt and baking soda in 500ml of water and inhaling it (one nostril at a time). This battery operated machine makes the process easier.

8/10

Strepsils Sore Throat and Stuffy Nose Pastilles

36 lozenges, £ 4.79, superdrug.com

Claim: These contain two antiseptic ingredients (2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol and amylmetacresol) to fight bacterial throat infections, and menthol “to help unclog the nose”. Suck on a lozenge every two to three hours.

Expert verdict: Menthol has no proven physical effect on a stuffy nose, but it can make us more lucid by tricking the sensory nerves in our nasal cavity to register that they are cold.

These lozenges won’t actually help get rid of nasal congestion, but they might make it more bearable.

If you notice a cold developing, take a zinc supplement (around 80 mg) daily, as it has been shown to reduce the duration of a cold by up to 33%.

4/10

Cold and Sinusitis Relief Sterimar

20 ml, £ 8.99, hollandbarrett.com

Claim: This nasal spray “sucks up and drains even thick mucus, allowing you to breathe more naturally and helping to prevent secondary infection.”

It contains sea water [which is hypertonic — a higher salt content than cells in the human body], cooling eucalyptus oil and copper salt, believed to have antiviral properties.

Use two sprays in each nostril, up to six times a day.

Expert opinion: Hypertonic products are often recommended for acute and chronic nasal congestion. They have an osmotic effect, which means that the high salt content extracts water from the cells, helping to clear the nasal passages, reduce swelling, and improve symptoms of colds and congestion.

A nasal shower will provide a stronger effect than a spray like this because it covers a larger area. Hypertonic saline can cause irritation in some people. 6/10

Sniff Relief Breathe Easy Mask

£ 72.96, sniffrelief.com

Claim: A fleece-lined mask that warms the nose and surrounding areas up to 60 ° C “to relieve sinus pressure and symptoms of a stuffy nose”.

Adjust the Velcro strap to get a perfect fit around the head, then plug it into a portable device to turn it on and adjust the temperature. Use as needed.

Expert opinion: A warm compress applied to the eyes, nose and sinuses [which is what this mask offers] is a traditional way to relieve nasal congestion, but like inhaling steam, there is no scientific evidence that it works.

It will not clear your nasal passages – a saline rinse and appropriate medication will.

Heat can be soothing for some people with congestion, however, and has been shown to help relieve some common types of headaches. But try using a warm, wrung out flannel before investing in an expensive gadget like this.

2/10

Olbas oil decongestant

12 ml, £ 4.99, lloydspharmacy.com

Claim: This is a blend of essential oils comprising of eucalyptus, mint and clove and is said to release “powerful decongestant vapors to relieve catarrh, colds and colds. blocked sinuses ”. Apply a few drops to a tissue and inhale as needed.

Expert verdict: Eucalyptus oil contains a molecule called sinol, which has been shown to have a significant effect on cold symptoms. It makes the eyelashes – hair-like structures that line the nose – beat faster, which can help clear mucus faster. It may also have antimicrobial properties, but more research is needed to confirm this.

This product also contains levomenthol – a menthol compound – which can trigger the sensory nerves in the nose to make you feel less congested. This oil might work as a soothing treatment for most types of nasal congestion, including allergies, but is best used with appropriate medications.

Note that it can interact with some medications and has the potential to irritate the skin, so ask your pharmacist before using it.

6/10

Hay fever relief with pirinase 0.005%

8.8ml, £ 7.99, boots.com

Claim: “A once-daily non-drowsy treatment for all major symptoms of hay fever, including runny nose, stuffy nose and sneezing.”

This steroid-based nasal spray has anti-inflammatory action, blocking the chemicals that cause the symptoms of hay fever. Apply two sprays in each nostril once a day.

Expert verdict: Corticosteroids are the number one treatment for hay fever and prolonged cold symptoms (which last for more than seven days).

They work as a decongestant by reducing inflammation in the lining of the nose and throat. However, they take a long time to start working; So start taking at least five days before the start of hay fever season to take advantage.

Can also be used for nasal congestion caused by a cold, but again start taking it at the first sign to benefit.

Check with a pharmacist before use, as it may interact with medications and may not take longer than a month.

8/10