It is a common experience to find one nostril feeling blocked while the other remains clear. This sensation can be a source of discomfort. Understanding the reasons behind this one-sided nasal congestion and knowing when to seek professional advice can provide relief and peace of mind.
Understanding Why One Nostril Feels Blocked
The human nose naturally alternates airflow between nostrils through a process called the nasal cycle. This involves cyclical swelling and shrinking of blood vessels within the nasal lining, primarily in the turbinates, causing one nostril to become more congested while the other opens for improved airflow. This cycle typically shifts every few hours, ensuring one side remains moist to filter and humidify inhaled air. This normal process usually goes unnoticed unless other factors worsen congestion.
Beyond this natural cycle, several conditions can cause one-sided nasal blockage. Allergies, such as allergic rhinitis, trigger an immune response to airborne substances like pollen or dust mites, leading to inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages. This inflammation can be more pronounced in one nostril. Infections like the common cold or sinusitis can also cause inflammation within the sinus cavities, leading to unilateral congestion, thick nasal discharge, and facial pressure.
Structural issues within the nose are also common culprits. A deviated septum, where the thin wall of cartilage and bone separating the nostrils is off-center, can narrow one nasal passage. This variation, present from birth or injury, often makes breathing difficult through the affected side and can worsen during colds or allergies. Another structural cause is turbinate hypertrophy, an enlargement of the turbinates. These bony structures covered by a spongy lining help filter and humidify air. When these turbinates swell, often due to allergies or chronic irritation, they can obstruct airflow, sometimes more severely on one side.
Nasal polyps, non-cancerous growths, can also contribute to one-sided blockage. These soft, teardrop-shaped growths develop in the lining of the nose or sinuses, blocking airflow and reducing sense of smell. Larger polyps can significantly impede breathing. In children, a foreign body lodged in a nostril is a common cause of unilateral blockage, often with irritation or discharge from that side. Rarely, persistent one-sided symptoms warrant attention, as tumors can also cause unilateral nasal obstruction.
Immediate Steps for Relief at Home
Several home remedies can offer temporary relief for one-sided nasal blockage. Saline nasal sprays or rinses effectively clear mucus and moisturize nasal passages. Using a neti pot or squeeze bottle with a salt water solution can flush out irritants and reduce congestion.
Inhaling steam can alleviate stuffiness by thinning mucus and soothing irritated nasal tissues. This can be achieved by taking a hot shower or leaning over a bowl of hot water with a towel draped over the head. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids helps keep mucus thin and flowing. Elevating the head while sleeping, often with an extra pillow, can prevent mucus from pooling and reduce congestion, especially if the blockage is more noticeable when lying down. Avoiding irritants, such as cigarette smoke, strong odors, or allergens, can also help prevent further inflammation and provide relief.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
While many instances of one-sided nasal blockage resolve with home care, certain signs indicate the need for professional medical evaluation. Consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist for more than 10 to 14 days without improvement. Severe pain or pressure around the eyes, cheeks, or forehead, which may suggest a significant sinus issue, warrants medical attention.
Other concerning symptoms include high fever, changes in vision, or swelling around the eyes. Recurrent or heavy nasal bleeding, especially if it occurs on the same side, should also prompt a doctor’s visit. For children, any unilateral nasal symptoms, particularly if a foreign body is suspected, require prompt medical assessment for safe removal and to prevent complications. If symptoms worsen despite home remedies or if there is any specific concern, seeking professional advice is a prudent step.
Professional Diagnosis and Treatment Paths
For persistent one-sided nasal blockage, a healthcare provider will typically begin with a thorough physical examination of the nose. This may involve a nasal speculum to view the inside of the nostrils. A nasal endoscopy, using a small, lighted telescope with a camera, may provide a detailed view of the nasal passages and sinuses. Imaging studies, such as a CT scan, may visualize the underlying bone structures and soft tissues, helping to identify conditions like a deviated septum, polyps, or chronic sinusitis.
Treatment is tailored to the specific diagnosis. For allergies, antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids are commonly prescribed to reduce inflammation and symptoms. Nasal corticosteroid sprays are effective for persistent allergic rhinitis symptoms. If a bacterial infection, such as sinusitis, is identified, antibiotics may be prescribed, often alongside decongestants and pain relievers. Many sinus infections are viral and do not require antibiotics.
Nasal polyps unresponsive to steroid nasal sprays or oral steroids may require surgical removal. Polypectomy involves using tiny instruments to remove the growths from within the nose. For structural issues like a deviated septum, septoplasty can reshape the cartilage and bone to straighten the septum and improve airflow. Enlarged turbinates causing significant obstruction may be reduced in size through turbinate reduction surgery, which can involve techniques like cauterization or tissue removal to improve breathing. These surgical interventions restore proper nasal function when less invasive treatments are insufficient.