What Causes a Stuffy Nose?

A stuffy nose is technically called a nasal congestion or a congested nose. There are many causes of nasal congestion. This article lists the causes and recommends when medical interventions hould be sought. The author is a Registered Nurse with many years. This article is being written for the benefit of millions of individuals who suffer from nasal congestion. It follows the authors discovery that many questions are asked about the causes of congested on yahoo.answers.

Causes of Congested Noses.

1. The most common cause of nasal congestion is irritation by cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes from cars, and household dust. Some individuals will develop nasal congestion even when the exposure is small but other who are more resistant can tolerate longer periods of exposure before they go down with nasal congestion. Older people and young children are more vulnerable.   

2. Allergies to pollens, rag weed, and dust also cause nasal congestion. Most of us are allergic to one thing  or another. Some of the more easily recognised signs and symptoms of allergies include sneezing, wheezing, non-productive cough, itchy & watery eyes etc.

3. Exposure to irritating chemical like bleach and chlorine can cause nasal irritation followed by congestion. The nasal congestion in this situation is due to damage and irritaion by the chemical.

4. Animal furs, bird feathers and dust mites can also cause nasal congestion. Allergies to these substances often go unnoticed for many years.

5. Certain chemicals in paints, carpets, and new houses can cause nasal congestion.

6. Duck downs (feather in quality quilts) can cause nasal congestion.

7. Nasal septums which are deflected can cause nasal congestion in one or both nostrils.

8. Nasal polyps can cause nasal congestion.

9. Trauma to head and nose.

10. Chemotherapy / Radiotherapy.

11. Chronic nasal infections. Infections can be bacterial, viral, and / or fungal.

12. Some foods and over the counter medications can cause nasal congestion.

air dyes can cause a stuffy nose if you are allergic to the dye. Some dyes are carcinogenic too. It is best to avoid them if possible.

Chemicals used in hair management are known to cause congested nasal passages. Image via Wikipedia H

13. Some hair dyes, perfumes, and soaps.

14. Malignant tumours.

15. Extremely low humidity which is common during the winters of Canada.

16. Exposure to extreme cold or extreme dry heat.

17. Dry environments.      

Strong irritants like chlorine should be used safely. When used unsafely they cause harm. Image via Wikipedia

The dust mite is an allergen to many people. It caused me many asthma attacks which used to be disabling until I learned to disable the dust mite. Image via Wikipedia

Images of pollen. Pollens cause allergies which lead to stuffy noses. Image via Wikipedia