A cold can make breathing feel difficult, but one symptom that surprises many people is congestion in just one nostril. You may notice that one side of your nose feels stuffy while the other remains clear, or that the congestion switches sides throughout the day. This is actually a common experience during a cold and often has a simple explanation. Understanding why it happens and how to treat it can help you breathe easier and recover faster.
Colds can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, and colds often share symptoms with more severe conditions like the flu, RSV and COVID-19. If you’re feeling sick, visit AFC Urgent Care Medford for symptom diagnosis and treatment. We’re open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm, and accept walk-in patients. Or, save your spot online in advance below.
Why Does One Nostril Get More Congested?
Your nose naturally goes through something called the nasal cycle, where congestion shifts from one nostril to the other every few hours. This process helps warm, filter, and humidify the air you breathe. When you have a cold, swelling of the nasal tissues becomes more noticeable, making one nostril feel completely blocked while the other feels partially open.
Other factors can make one nostril feel worse, including:
- Inflammation from a cold or allergies.
- Lying down, which increases blood flow to the nasal passages.
- Structural issues, such as a deviated septum.
- Dry indoor air, which irritates nasal tissues.
So yes, a cold can absolutely cause congestion in just one nostril, and it’s usually not a sign of anything serious.
Ways to Treat Nasal Congestion
If your one-sided congestion is annoying or interfering with sleep, several home remedies can give relief:
- Use a saline nasal spray to moisturize your nose and help clear mucus.
- Try steam inhalation, such as a warm shower or bowl of hot water, to loosen congestion.
- Sip warm liquids like tea or broth to soothe irritation and thin mucus.
- Use a humidifier, especially at night, to add moisture to dry indoor air.
- Elevate your head when sleeping to reduce nighttime stuffiness.
Over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines may also help, but they should be used carefully and only for short periods to avoid rebound congestion.
When to See a Doctor for Your Stuffy Nose
Most congestion clears up within a week or two, but you should speak to a doctor if:
- Symptoms last longer than 10–14 days.
- You experience severe facial pain or pressure.
- Only one nostril stays blocked consistently.
- You have a high fever or thick yellow/green discharge.
- You suspect a sinus infection.
A healthcare provider can check for issues like sinusitis, nasal polyps, or structural concerns.
Why You Should Consider Urgent Care
If your congestion becomes severe, affects your breathing, or comes with symptoms like high fever, intense sinus pressure, or worsening pain, urgent care services can provide fast relief. Urgent care clinics offer quick evaluations, nasal exams, and medications to reduce inflammation and treat underlying infections. Getting timely care helps prevent complications and ensures you recover comfortably, especially when simple home remedies are no longer effective.
Visit AFC Medford for Rapid Illness Symptom Diagnosis & Treatment
If you’re suffering from congestion, it is important not to ignore your symptoms. When left unmanaged, congestion can sometimes turn into a secondary infection called a sinus infection. For rapid same-day treatment for nasal congestion, you can count on AFC Urgent Care Medford!
Our walk-in urgent care clinic is open 7 days a week in Medford, MA. We work with most medical insurance providers, and have affordable care for self-paying patients. Our clinic has a laboratory on-site for rapid diagnostic testing to determine the cause of your symptoms. Walk in today for rapid same-day care! To learn more about the services we provide, give us a call at (617) 582-2800.
