Hydration and steam are powerful allies. Thick, sticky mucus is harder to drain, so drinking warm fluids like herbal tea or broth thins secretions. Steam from a hot shower or a bowl of warm water (with a towel over the head) moistens nasal passages and reduces inflammation. For sustained relief, saline nasal sprays or a neti pot with distilled sterile water can flush the nasal cavity and the openings of the Eustachian tubes. Over-the-counter oral decongestants containing pseudoephedrine (not just phenylephrine) may shrink swollen membranes, but they should be used for no more than three days to avoid rebound congestion. Nasal corticosteroid sprays like fluticasone can also reduce inflammation over a longer period.