Stuffy Nose

The main cause of stuffy nose is an infection, and a seasonal cold is the most common type. With a cold, you have a viral infection, which doesn’t respond to antibiotics, so it must run its course. A cold usually lasts seven to 10 days. With the help of over the counter medications, plenty of fluids and rest, you should start to feel better within a few days. The average child will catch up to six colds a year and the average adult will catch up to three a year. Other infections, such as a sinus infection (sinusitis), the most common type of bacterial nasal infection can also lead to a stuffy nose.

Allergic rhinitis caused by allergies is the second most common cause of a stuffy nose. An allergy is an inflammatory reaction to a pollutant that it is environmental, such as grass, dust, pollen, hay fever, mold or pet dander. If over the counter medications (such as Claritin, Zyrtec and Dimetane) do not work for you, then our allergy specialists may prescribe a prescription allergy medication. If those fail, allergy shots are also an option.

Another cause of a stuffy nose is structural abnormalities, which are usually noticed in childhood. Although adults can also develop structural abnormalities, most often they are the result of an injury later in life. Surgery is often the only option to correct structural abnormities of the nasal passages.