Why is one nostril always blocked? Nasal cycle or something else

If one nostril feels blocked and the stuffy side swaps over during the day, that's almost always the nasal cycle, and it's normal. If it's the same nostril every time, day and night, something else is probably narrowing that side, most often a deviated septum, swollen tissue or polyps. This guide covers how to tell the two apart, what can cause a one-sided blockage, and which symptoms mean you should see a doctor.

Is it normal for one nostril to always be blocked?

It's normal for one nostril to be more blocked than the other at any given moment, but not for the same one to stay blocked all the time. Cleveland Clinic explains that every four to six hours, one side of the nose becomes more congested while the other decongests, and then they switch back. This is the nasal cycle, driven by the turbinates, structures lined with blood vessels that swell and shrink in turn on each side.

A 2016 study in PLOS One recorded airflow through each nostril for 24 hours in 33 healthy adults. Everyone had a nasal cycle. The time one nostril stayed dominant ranged from 15 minutes, the shortest the analysis could pick up, to more than 10 hours, and lying on one side was linked with more airflow through the opposite nostril.

So a blocked nostril that takes turns is your nose doing its normal job. Our guide to the nasal cycle explains it in detail. The rest of this article is about the other kind: the blockage that never moves.

How can you tell the nasal cycle from a real blockage?

You can usually tell the nasal cycle from a real blockage by whether the blocked side changes. A cycle swaps sides over hours. A structural problem keeps the same side narrow most of the time, whether you're standing, sitting or lying down.

Sleep position is the main thing that can fool you. Cleveland Clinic says it's common for the nostril facing down on the pillow to feel stuffy when you sleep on your side, and if the congestion eases soon after you get up and move around, side sleeping is the likely cause. Cleveland Clinic adds that allergies, illnesses and colds can make congestion of any kind worse, so judge your nose on a healthy week.

Can a deviated septum block one nostril?

A deviated septum is one of the most common reasons for a nostril that's always blocked. Healthdirect, Australia's government health information service, explains that a deviated septum means the thin wall of bone and cartilage dividing the inside of your nose is crooked, which can make one side narrower than the other.

Most people with a deviated septum have no symptoms and don't know they have one, according to healthdirect. When a deviation is severe, the most common symptom is difficulty breathing through the nose, usually worse on one side. Some people also have a blocked nose on one side or switching between nostrils, nosebleeds, frequent sinus infections, snoring and noisy breathing during sleep, or trouble falling or staying asleep. Healthdirect also lists obstructive sleep apnea among them.

Some people are born with a septum that isn't straight. Others develop one after a nose injury. Healthdirect says most people have a mild deviation that causes no problems, and more severe ones may need treatment if they cause symptoms. Medicines can ease symptoms like a blocked or runny nose but won't change the shape of the septum, and surgery called septoplasty may be an option if symptoms continue. Our guide to deviated septum symptoms covers the signs in more depth.

Can nasal polyps or swollen turbinates cause it?

Nasal polyps and swollen turbinates can both block the nose, though polyps usually affect both sides. Cleveland Clinic describes nasal polyps as soft, painless, noncancerous growths in the lining of the nose or sinuses that usually appear on both sides. The NHS lists a blocked nose, runny nose, postnasal drip, a reduced sense of smell or taste, and snoring as symptoms, and notes that unlike a cold, polyps won't get better unless they're treated.

That's why a growth on one side only deserves attention. Cleveland Clinic advises telling your provider if you notice a single growth on one side of your nose, because it could be a nasal or paranasal tumor rather than a polyp. Most aren't, but it's something a doctor should look at. Our article on nasal polyps and breathing covers treatment.

The turbinates can also stay swollen. Cleveland Clinic says they can become inflamed from irritation, allergies or infection, usually only for a while, but some people develop chronic swelling called turbinate hypertrophy. Steroid sprays and antihistamines are usually tried first, and surgery to shrink the tissue is an option if they don't work. See turbinate hypertrophy for more.

Could something be stuck in the nose?

Something stuck in the nose is a real possibility in young children with one blocked nostril. Cleveland Clinic says that especially in small children, a blockage in one nostril might be a foreign body they've put up their nose, such as a small toy, a crayon or a piece of food. It suggests looking inside the nostril with a flashlight and seeing if your child can blow the object out, but calling your doctor if you see thick drainage or pus.

A StatPearls review notes that nasal foreign bodies are mostly seen in children and can go unnoticed for weeks, months or even years. Most aren't urgent. The exceptions are objects such as batteries and magnets, which the review says can cause severe damage and need removing urgently. If you think your child has put either one in their nose, get medical help straight away rather than trying to remove it yourself.

Which one-sided symptoms need a doctor?

A one-sided blockage needs a doctor's check if it doesn't clear, or if it comes with bleeding, discharge, pain or a change in smell. Cleveland Clinic suggests seeing a healthcare provider if a single clogged nostril comes with any of these:

• Difficulty breathing
• A whistling sound when you breathe
• Snoring
• Bleeding or discharge from the nose
• Facial pain or pressure
• A weaker sense of smell

There's also a rare but important cause to know about. The NHS lists early symptoms of nasal and sinus cancer as a blocked nose on one side that doesn't go away, nosebleeds, some loss of smell, and mucus running from the nose or down the throat, sometimes with blood in it. It advises seeing a GP if these get worse or don't improve after a few weeks. The NHS is also clear that these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions, so having them doesn't definitely mean you have cancer. They just shouldn't be ignored.

Nosebleeds have their own warning signs. The NHS says to get emergency care if a nosebleed lasts longer than 10 to 15 minutes, seems excessive, started after a blow to the head, or comes with weakness, dizziness or trouble breathing. Our guide to nosebleeds at night covers the common causes.

What can help one blocked nostril at night?

For a nostril that feels blocked at night, start with simple steps while you wait to see whether it clears or needs a check. Cleveland Clinic suggests running a humidifier, using a neti pot or saline spray, taking a hot shower and keeping your head raised. For congestion from a cold or allergies, it suggests sleeping on your back with your head slightly raised rather than on your side. Healthdirect also suggests raising your head at night for a stuffy nose from a deviated septum.

If only the pillow-side nostril blocks up, rolling onto your other side often helps. In the 2016 PLOS One study, lying on one side was linked with more airflow through the opposite, upper nostril.

For more ideas, see how to unblock your nose before bed.

Can you use nasal strips or mouth tape with one blocked side?

You can use nasal strips with one blocked side, and they're one of the gentlest things to try. Strips are external nasal dilators that sit on the outside of the nose, with nothing inside the nostril. They won't straighten a septum or shrink a polyp, so a blockage that never moves still needs a doctor. Our guide to how nasal strips work explains what they can and can't do.

Mouth tape is different. It only makes sense if you can breathe comfortably through your nose with your mouth closed. If one side is always blocked and the other side alone doesn't feel like enough, skip the tape until you've had your nose checked. The two-minute nose test is a quick way to see where you stand. We don't recommend mouth tape for children.

When should you see a doctor?

See a doctor if one nostril stays blocked for more than a few weeks, keeps coming back on the same side, or comes with any of the symptoms above. A doctor can look inside your nose, and an ear, nose and throat specialist can use a thin camera to see further back if needed.

See a doctor too if your blocked nose comes with signs of sleep apnea. The NHLBI lists breathing that starts and stops during sleep, frequent loud snoring, gasping for air and daytime sleepiness among them. If you're pregnant and your nose is newly or constantly blocked, ask your clinician before trying sprays or other products.

Our pick (paid partner): TitanAir Nasal Strips

If your nose feels tight at night and a doctor has ruled out anything that needs treatment, our pick is TitanAir Nasal Strips. We haven't tested or ranked nasal strips ourselves; this is our recommendation.

Titan describes them as drug-free external nasal dilators with flexible spring-loaded bands. It says to place the strip just above the flare of the nostrils, on the soft part of the nose rather than the bony bridge, on clean, dry skin without moisturizer. To take it off, Titan suggests loosening it with warm water and peeling slowly from the ends inward.

Titan designs the strips to pair with its mouth tape, sold together as the Titan Sleep System. It says every batch is third-party tested and certified PFAS-free, and its 30-night guarantee refunds you if your sleep isn't better after 30 nights.

Read next

• The nasal cycle: why one nostril is often blocked
• Deviated septum symptoms
• Why is my nose stuffy at night?

* This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition. Talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your health.