Condition guide
Blocked Nose
Can not breathe through your nose and feeling congested? Find the right decongestant or nasal spray to clear your blocked nose quickly.
Find the right medicinePregnancy & breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy, consult your GP or pharmacist before taking any medication. Some pain relievers and decongestants are not safe during pregnancy or late pregnancy.
Treatment and relief options
- Saline drops, sprays or rinses to clear mucus (for babies and young children, ask a pharmacist which format suits)
- Decongestant sprays (max 3 days to avoid rebound)
- Oral decongestants: pseudoephedrine is Pharmacist-Only in Australia; avoid if hypertension, heart disease, thyroid disease, glaucoma, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or on MAOIs; phenylephrine has limited efficacy; do not combine multiple decongestant products
- Steam inhalation for natural relief
- Stay hydrated to thin mucus
When to get help
- Severe facial pain or swelling
- Green/yellow discharge with fever for >7 days
- Nosebleeds that won't stop
- Loss of smell lasting weeks
- One-sided blockage persisting
Good to know
Cold, allergy or something structural?
Blockage from a cold or the flu should ease after a few days (see cold and flu). Seasonal flare-ups, or blockage around pollen or animals with sneezing or itching, suggest allergic rhinitis (see hay fever and sneezing). A blockage that never fully clears may have a structural cause, such as nasal polyps or a deviated septum, and is worth a GP visit. Decongestant sprays used for more than a few days can leave you more blocked when you stop. Facial pain points to sinus pain, and a constant drip to runny nose. If you're mostly blocked at night and wake with headaches, ask your GP about sleep apnoea.
Getting the most from a nasal spray
For steroid nasal sprays, ASCIA advises: shake the bottle, blow your nose first, tilt your head slightly forward, aim away from the middle of your nose (the septum) and don't sniff hard afterwards. Use saline about 10 minutes before a steroid spray, and use steroid sprays regularly, as they can take days to help. Pseudoephedrine tablets are Pharmacist Only or Prescription Only, and some states and territories require the sale to be recorded. Check with the pharmacist first if you have high blood pressure.
Sources: healthdirect — Blocked nose; ASCIA — Treatment plan for allergic rhinitis (hay fever); ASCIA — Allergic rhinitis (hay fever); Federal Register of Legislation — Poisons Standard October 2026 (F2026L01327), pseudoephedrine Schedules 3 and 4
Frequently asked questions
Maximum 3 days. Longer use causes rebound congestion.
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Medical disclaimer
This information is general in nature and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what’s right for you.