Steam inhalation
Put boiling water from a kettle in a large bowl or basin, and set it on a table (being extra careful not to burn yourself).
Patient Info says: “Sit on a chair at the table and put your face over the bowl, breathing normally for five or 10 minutes.
“Alternatively, you can buy a steam cup from a chemist and breathe the steam through the mask.
“For small children, the safest method of steam inhalation is in the bathroom.
“Shut the door, turn on the hot shower and/or hot tap and sit with your child (outside the shower as you want the water very hot) while looking at a book or playing with a toy for five to 10 minutes.”
Saltwater
Saltwater (saline) may be helpful to clear a blocked nose for a short time, but you’ll need to repeat the process a good few times.
Patient Info explains that you can buy saline drops from a chemist or get them on prescription.
They are sometimes used in babies who are congested, so they are better able to feed.
However, there are also saline sprays and solutions which aim to wash out the passageways of the nose.
The site explains: “These all make the gunk blocking the nose more liquid so that it drains out more easily.”