When to worry about a blocked nose with sinusitis

Sinusitis causes swelling around the nose and sinus openings, which can slow mucus drainage and create pressure. A blocked nose may occur with facial tenderness, reduced smell, coloured discharge, cough, or a feeling of fullness in the face. Symptoms can follow a cold, but persistent or recurrent problems may need assessment for ongoing inflammation, a polyp, allergy, or a structural narrowing.

Rest, drink fluids, and consider saline spray or rinsing to loosen mucus. Use safe water for rinses and clean the device as directed. A pharmacist can advise on pain relief or a short-term decongestant if appropriate for your health history. Do not use nasal decongestant sprays longer than the label allows. Record fever, facial pain, discharge, and whether the blockage is improving.

Arrange medical advice when symptoms are not easing, repeatedly return, or worsen after initial improvement. Seek review for persistent one-sided blockage, recurrent nosebleeds, severe facial pain, high fever, or foul-smelling discharge. Get urgent help for swelling around an eye, vision changes, severe headache, confusion, a stiff neck, or difficulty breathing.

Ask whether your symptoms fit acute or ongoing sinus inflammation, whether your medicines are suitable, and how to use a nasal spray correctly. Ask whether allergy, a polyp, or a structural issue should be considered if blockage keeps returning or stays on one side.