Superintendent Pharmacist Amir Bhogal shares 7 warning signs your blocked nose could be something more — from sinusitis to long COVID — and what you can do about it
While allergies are often the first thing people blame when their nose feels blocked, that isn’t always the case
Hay fever season has arrived, bringing with it those all-too-familiar symptoms many dread: sneezing, itchy eyes, and a stuffy nose that won’t shift.
While allergies are frequently the first culprit people point to when their nose feels congested, that’s not always the full story. If a blocked nose persists, deteriorates, or continues to come back, it could indicate something else is at play.
Superintendent Pharmacist and Director of Pyramid Pharmacy Group, Amir Bhogal, outlines seven warning signs your blocked nose might not simply be down to allergies and what steps you can take.
Cold and Flu
A stuffy nose is commonly attributed to hay fever, but if your symptoms drag on or keep reappearing, allergies might not be to blame. Lingering cold and flu infections can equally cause persistent congestion, especially if the virus has irritated the nasal passages and sparked inflammation.
Flu has been spreading rapidly across Ireland(Image: Olga Pankova via Getty Images)
Viral infections lasting beyond a fortnight can also present with additional indicators, such as tiredness, muscle aches, raised temperature, or a nagging sore throat.
One of the most crucial preventative steps is the yearly flu jab, which offers protection against the most prevalent circulating strains each season.
Sinusitis
While allergies frequently trigger a blocked nose, sinusitis typically presents with extra symptoms including pressure or discomfort around the cheeks, eyes, or forehead. The condition develops when the sinuses become inflamed and mucus fails to drain correctly, which can lead to ongoing congestion and facial tenderness.
Unlike seasonal allergies, sinusitis symptoms may intensify when bending forwards or leaning down, as this heightens pressure within the sinuses.
While a number of cases resolve independently, treatment possibilities might include over-the-counter medications, decongestant nasal sprays, antihistamines, or in certain instances, antibiotics.
A discussion with your local pharmacist can assist you in understanding what might be triggering your symptoms, and guarantee you obtain the most suitable treatment, reports RSVP Live.
Anosmia (Loss of Smell)
While allergies can occasionally impact your sense of smell, a total loss of smell may point to another underlying issue. Anosmia, the medical term for a diminished or complete loss of smell, can occur alongside a congested nose when inflammation or mucus accumulation prevents scent particles from reaching the smell receptors.
While temporary smell alterations can happen with allergies, a more pronounced or ongoing loss of smell might suggest the nasal passages are more severely blocked.
Should your sense of smell fail to return once congestion clears, or if food abruptly tastes unusual, it’s advisable to discuss symptoms with your pharmacist or GP, rather than writing it off as merely an allergy. A medical professional can evaluate the underlying cause, recommend treatment approaches, or suggest a referral to an ENT specialist for additional assessment.
Some of the cold symptoms, like runny nose and nasal congestion, can feel a lot like allergies
Bacterial Infection
While allergies typically produce clear nasal discharge, yellow or green mucus could indicate a bacterial infection rather than hay fever. Such infections can emerge when mucus becomes lodged in the sinuses following a cold or viral illness, establishing ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive.
Consequently, the mucus frequently becomes denser and may be accompanied by symptoms including fever or headaches. Should you suspect a bacterial infection, pop into your local pharmacy for an initial assessment.
These consultations are generally available on a walk-in basis without needing to see a GP, enabling you to obtain advice, over-the-counter medication and medical support swiftly before symptoms deteriorate.
Deviated Septum
Numerous people presume a blocked nose stems from allergies, but if it predominantly affects one side of the nose rather than the other, a deviated septum might be the root cause. This happens when the slender wall separating the nostrils shifts to one side, limiting airflow and resulting in ongoing nasal congestion.
It may also lead to snoring or trouble breathing through the nose. Some individuals find relief through saline sprays, nasal steroid sprays or short-term decongestants that assist in reducing swelling within the nasal lining.
However, if congestion persists despite these interventions, it’s advisable to visit your GP, who may discuss septoplasty, a procedure to carefully straighten or reposition the septum to help restore airflow and alleviate long-term breathing problems.
Chronic Rhinitis
Allergies typically trigger sneezing and irritation, however if these symptoms present themselves together with a congested nose year-round, chronic rhinitis could be the root cause. This condition develops when the nasal lining stays inflamed over a prolonged duration, resulting in irritation and surplus mucus generation.
While allergies are a frequent trigger, numerous individuals experience comparable symptoms from alternative irritants, including pollution, dust, potent fragrances, temperature fluctuations or cigarette smoke.
Basic household remedies can assist in controlling symptoms, for instance, raising your head during sleep to facilitate more efficient mucus drainage and diminish overnight congestion. Employing a HEPA air purifier can additionally eliminate airborne irritants that provoke inflammation.
Routine saline nasal washes can likewise assist in clearing out irritants and surplus mucus, maintaining clearer nasal passages.
Long COVID
While numerous individuals presume a stuffy nose stems from allergies, persistent nasal congestion can occasionally be connected to long COVID, particularly if symptoms continue for weeks or even months following the original infection.
Some people notice that smells appear and disappear, seem different or strange, or that their nose feels congested despite taking allergy treatments.
In such instances, undertaking a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test can be amongst the most straightforward methods to exclude a recent or current infection.
You may face a greater risk of becoming severely unwell from COVID-19 if you are aged 85 or above, have an autoimmune condition impacting your immune system, or work as a carer or frontline worker.
Maintaining up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations can help diminish the risk of serious illness and complications.
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