Stuffy nose is caused by the swelling of nasal mucosa, which prevents the airflow. This is a protective mechanism because the increased blood circulation in the nose also increases the number of antibodies attacking the virus that causes the common cold. Furthermore, the increased temperature in the stuffy nose blocks viral reproduction. The secreted mucus (runny nose) helps eliminate the virus trying to break into the organism.

Difficult breathing may also be caused by dry air. This is very common in wintertime, especially in centrally heated or air-conditioned spaces. Dry nasal mucosa is prone to inflammations so it is important to keep it moist. The best way is by using products based on isotonised and sterilised sea water.

Keeping the nose open is especially important for babies, who may be kept awake at night by nasal congestion. For very young babies, we recommend Aqua maris baby, in a bottle with dropper.

As early as the Antiquity, physicians noticed that sea water had medicinal properties. The first written record of the positive effect of the sea dates from the year 180 AD, when Galen prescribed to his patients to inhale sea waves breaking on rocks.

Today we know that sea is a solution rich in various minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium. Many of them have a positive effect on the nasal mucosa: they stimulate the natural process of elimination of impurities, they make it more resistant to micro-organisms, and they promote recovery.

Helpful advice: 

• Sleep with your head elevated
• Rinse your nose as often as possible with, for instance, Aqua Maris nasal spray. This will contribute to faster elimination of foreign particles from the mucosa, promote the mucus secretion and supply the mucosa with important micro-elements from the sea.
• Wipe your nose with soft tissues that do not irritate skin around the nose. You may also use protective Aqua Maris ointment with d-panthenol and vitamins A and E.