When I have a stuffy cold, I always resort to my favorite therapy: a steam tent! It works for me. You can buy one on my Amazon Associate shop (scroll this page of various steamers) OR use a homemade steam tent with a pan of steaming water and a towel!
Here’s how it works. Boil a pan of water and remove from heat once it reaches boiling. Place it on a wooden cutting board or trivet to protect the counter or table surface. Have a box of tissues and a large towel ready. Carefully drape the towel over your head while leaning over the pan of steaming water. Make sure the towel creates a tent to hold the steam in place. You can judge how near or far to hold your head over the pan. All your facial pores will open as will mucus plugging your nose. You should be able to reach the tissues to blow your nose after a minute or so of the steam loosening everything. Repeat as needed with the tissues. You can also take a break from the steam long enough to wipe your face with the towel. When the water is no longer steaming or you’ve unplugged your nose, throw the tissues away, the towel in the hamper, and wash out the pan. This is how I use a steam tent when I am stuffed up with a cold.
Some of the steamers available on my Amazon Associate shop let you add stuff to the water to help loosen mucus like Vick’s. I’ve experimented with adding things to the water in my homemade steam tent. Sometimes I add oregano, other times cinnamon. You can read about ingredients that have antibacterial properties and see if you can tolerate them.
Check out this Beurer S130 Personal Steam Inhaler for Cough and Cold.
Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Read my post about keeping your pets healthy, too! https://livingwithdana.com/2023/12/keeping-your-pet-healthy-this-winter/
