When you're battling a cold, it’s tempting to blow your nose forcefully for relief, but this may actually be doing more harm ...

Mas Takashima, assistant professor of otolaryngology and director of the Sinus Center at BCM. "This leaves the nasal passages swollen and inflamed and they are more likely to get a bacterial or viral ...

That extra pressure can damage your nasal passages, especially in dry conditions ... containing phenylephrine or oxymetazoline can reduce swelling and open up your airways. However, he cautioned ...

it won’t work if you have severe inflammation in your nose blocking the nasal passages. Smith suggests using a decongestant spray for no more than three days in a row to help shrink the swelling down, ...