How to treat a stuffy nose for pregnant women is simple but safe

The treatment of nasal congestion for pregnant women is not too complicated but it can still help pregnant mothers feel more comfortable instead of suffering from discomfort. 

Nasal congestion is a normal condition, but when pregnant, pregnant mothers will be very afraid of taking medicine because they are worried about affecting the fetus. So is there a way to treat a stuffy nose for pregnant women without using drugs? If you are having similar questions, let's find out with aFamilyToday Health through the following article.

Cause pregnant women have a stuffy nose

Some reasons why pregnant women have a stuffy nose during pregnancy include:

Sinusitis

Rhinitis during pregnancy

Allergy during pregnancy

Infection or a cold .

How to treat stuffy nose for pregnant women

Ways to treat a stuffy nose for pregnant women without using drugs include:

1. Sauna to treat congestion for pregnant women

Sauna is a popular and simple treatment for pregnant women to treat congestion. Simply put water in a large pot and bring it to a boil. Then cover your head with a large towel and place the basin of steam under your face to let the steam rise. Inhale the steam for a few minutes to reduce congestion.

2. Nebulizer creates humidity

The warm, humid air will help soothe the itchy nose. Therefore, pregnant women with a stuffy nose may consider placing a humidifier in the room while you sleep to quickly improve congestion.

However, you should regularly clean the humidifier and change the water so that bacteria won't grow. You can also take a deep breath to enjoy the warmth and relaxation.

3. Small salt water

This is also a pretty good way to treat a stuffy nose for pregnant women that you should not ignore. Place a few drops of salt water on each side of your nose. After 5–10 minutes, you will feel a lot better.

4. Wash your nose

Add one teaspoon of salt and baking soda to the water. Mix well and pour a little into the palm of your hand. Now inhale vigorously in each nostril and repeat a few times until the congestion subsides. After that, pregnant mother should rinse with clean water.

5. Blow your nose

Insert one nostril with your thumb and gently blow the other nostril. This will remove the mucus, reducing congestion. Repeat this a few times until you feel better.

6. High pillow

Pillows high is also one of the ways to support congestion for pregnant women quite effectively. When you sleep, keep your upper nose higher than your heart because gravity will help your nose drain out mucus, help reduce congestion and also heartburn during pregnancy . In addition, inserting pillows around your neck will help your neck and spine be more balanced.

7. Exercise

Exercising during pregnancy with gentle exercises or walking is also a good way to treat a stuffy nose for pregnant women. However, you should not exercise outdoors because pollutants such as smoke, the smell of gasoline ... will easily make stuffy nose worse. In addition, you should also do some cardiovascular exercises regularly to support blood circulation and better sleep during pregnancy .

8. Drink plenty of water

Drinking enough water during pregnancy not only helps to cure congestion for pregnant women, but also helps ensure the health of you and your baby's healthy development. However, you should not drink caffeinated beverages like tea or coffee during pregnancy.

9. Apply the ointment

Rhinitis will cause dry and irritated nostrils. To maintain moisture in this area, apply some ointment.

10. Supplement with vitamin C

Eat more foods containing vitamin C to prevent nosebleeds. These foods are rich in vitamin C may be mentioned as kiwi, tomatoes, oranges, peppers ... For peace of mind, you should consult a doctor before taking offline.

11. Acupressure

Acupressure to treat congestion is no longer a new method. Use your thumb to press the area on the sides of your nose for about five minutes. You can press one by one or press at the same time. With this method, the mucus from the nose will be removed and no congestion.

12. Keep your feet warm

You can try wearing socks when you sleep. Alternatively, you can also apply wind oil to your feet before wearing socks. This will make the legs and body warmer and effectively reduce swelling of the nose.

13. Using horseradish (Horseradish)

Add some horseradish spices , apple cider vinegar and a little sugar to the water and stir. Drinking two tablespoons of this mixture a day can help you improve your immune system and strengthen your resistance, which in turn prevents congestion more effectively.

14. Drink ginger tea

Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties, so you can use a cup of spicy ginger tea to treat congestion for pregnant women. All you need to do is use thinly sliced ​​fresh ginger and add a little honey to get an effective congestion relief drink. 1 cup of honey ginger tea has the ability to heat up the respiratory organs so it will immediately reduce congestion, difficulty breathing.

15. Nasal spray

To treat a stuffy nose for pregnant women, you can easily buy decongestant sprays or inhalers at drugstores to help reduce inflammation and clear the airways. Not only that, these sprays or inhalers are easy to use and carry.

Some medicines to treat congestion for pregnant women

Using drugs is also an effective way to treat congestion for pregnant women, but there are still precautions for you to ensure the safety of both mothers and babies.

For stuffy nose, you can use a nasal spray. This drug is quite safe because it is not an oral drug, and therefore cannot enter the body. Note, however, that using nasal sprays is not always effective.

In addition, gestational rhinitis can be caused by increased histamine concentrations during pregnancy. For this cause, antihistamines will help control symptoms effectively. This drug is also very safe for pregnant women.

You may have heard of many medicines that help to treat a stuffy nose. However, during pregnancy, you should exercise caution in the use of the drug, especially the following drugs:

Afrin: Afrin promotes constriction of blood vessels and mucous membranes, removes edema, helps you breathe easily. If any of the above methods do not go away, take this medication. More importantly, you should only take the drug when directed by your doctor.

Otrivin (Xylometazoline) nasal drops : this drug is not safe for pregnant women. Therefore, you should only use it when directed by your doctor. These are medications used to treat a stuffy nose caused by a cold.

Vibrocil :  You should consult your doctor before taking vibrocil as the effects of the drug have not been determined. It is often indicated for the treatment of common congestion.

Sudafed nasal spray:  Pregnant women should not take Sudafed. However, sometimes your doctor will prescribe this medication if your stuffy nose is related to sinusitis.

Sinutab:  Sinutab is a nasal spray used to treat nasal congestion and sinusitis. You should consult your doctor before use.

Phenylephrine hydrochloride nasal spray :  You should avoid using this medication to treat congestion in pregnant women, especially during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy as this can cause birth defects.

Hopefully the ways to treat nasal congestion for pregnant women have been shared that can make you more comfortable. If you are unsure about your condition, please see your doctor to be examined and treated properly!