Blocked nose at night from allergies: how to adjust your bedroom

Sneezing, an itchy nose, a runny or blocked nose: according to the NHS, these are typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and they usually appear within minutes of contact with something you are allergic to. Common triggers include pollen, house dust mites, skin flakes in the fur of dogs and cats, and mould. (NHS — Allergic rhinitis)

You spend hours in the bedroom with your face in a pillow — so that is a sensible place to start. This article is a practical guide; it is not a diagnosis or a treatment.

Dust mites: bed and dust

According to the US NIEHS, dust mites are microscopic, insect-like pests that feed on flakes of dead skin. They live in mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains. No matter how clean a home is, they cannot be completely eliminated, but their numbers can be reduced. (NIEHS — Dust mites)

1. Wash bedding regularly at 60°C or above and choose synthetic bedding and covers. (NHS — Allergic rhinitis)
2. Encase your mattress and pillows in dust-proof covers. (NIEHS — Dust mites)
3. Dust with a damp cloth and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter; according to the NIEHS, a dry cloth only stirs allergens up. (NIEHS — Dust mites)
4. Keep your home dry and well ventilated, and deal with damp and condensation. (NHS — Allergic rhinitis)
5. Fewer dust traps in the bedroom: where possible, bare floors instead of wall-to-wall carpet, and fewer fabric curtains and upholstered furniture. (NIEHS — Dust mites)

Pollen: don't take it to bed

Hay fever symptoms are usually worst between late March and September, the NHS says, especially on warm, humid and windy days, when the pollen count is highest. (NHS — Hay fever)

1. After being outside, shower and change your clothes so pollen doesn't stay on your skin and hair. (NHS — Hay fever)
2. During pollen season, keep windows and doors shut as much as possible. (NHS — Hay fever)
3. Don't dry clothes outside — they can catch pollen. (NHS — Hay fever)
4. A little petroleum jelly around your nostrils can help trap pollen. (NHS — Hay fever)

Pets and the bedroom

If you have allergic rhinitis, the NHS advises not allowing pets in bedrooms, washing them regularly, grooming them outside and washing their bedding on a hot wash. Pets can also carry pollen indoors. (NHS — Allergic rhinitis) (NHS — Hay fever)

Medicines: what to watch in the evening

• A pharmacist can advise on antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays or salt-water sprays and rinses. According to the NHS, don't use a decongestant spray for longer than 5 days — longer use can make a blocked nose worse; decongestants should not be used by children under 6. (NHS — Allergic rhinitis)
• Antihistamines come in two groups: some make you sleepy, others are less likely to. Non-drowsy types are generally the best option, the NHS says; sleepy types may be better if your symptoms stop you sleeping. Don't drive or use machinery after the sleepy kind, and try not to drink alcohol while taking antihistamines. (NHS — Antihistamines)
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, looking for a medicine for a young child, an older person, taking other medicines or have a long-term condition, ask a pharmacist or doctor first. (NHS — Antihistamines)

When to see a doctor

• The NHS advises seeing a GP if your symptoms get worse, your asthma gets worse, your symptoms affect your sleep and everyday life, you're not sure what's causing them, or pharmacy treatments are not working. (NHS — Allergic rhinitis)
• A GP may arrange allergy tests (skin prick or blood tests) or refer you to a specialist. (NHS — Allergies)
• Call your local emergency number (such as 999 in the UK or 112 in the EU) if your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly swell, you are breathing very fast or struggling to breathe, or your throat feels tight and you can't swallow — this may be anaphylaxis. (NHS — Allergies)
• An AI health check is not a medical review. This article is not medical advice.

Takeaways

1. The bedroom is a good place to start: dust mites live in mattresses, bedding, carpets and curtains.
2. Bedding at 60°C or above, mattress and pillows in dust-proof covers, dust with a damp cloth.
3. Don't take pollen to bed: shower and change after being outside, keep windows shut in season.
4. Decongestant nasal spray for 5 days at most; ask a pharmacist which antihistamine suits you.
5. Symptoms spoil your sleep and daily life → see a doctor; swollen lips or tongue or trouble breathing → emergency.

A cleaner bedroom won't cure an allergy, but it may mean fewer nights when your own nose wakes you up.