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Solène Vo-Quang (Dentist)
Respiratory allergies cause various symptoms, including a dry cough, watery eyes, and a stuffy nose. To relieve this nasal congestion, a massage therapy expert reveals a tip on Tiktok. But does it really work? Doctissimo interviewed Dr. Solène Vo-Quang, stomatologist, to find out.
For several weeks now, allergy sufferers have been feeling the effects of pollen on their health. Watery eyes, itchy throat, cough, blocked and runny nose: the procession of symptoms linked to respiratory allergies is easily identifiable. But is there a simple way to relieve nasal congestion, which is particularly annoying?
Massage therapy expert reveals his tip
James Moore is a massage therapist in the state of Kentucky in the United States. In his Instagram and Tiktok posts, he shares a rather unusual tip, to “unblock your nose instantly”.
According to this expert, you should block one nostril and apply firm pressure under the opposite cheekbone. He specifies that it is important to take 10 deep breaths at the same time, in order to feel the effects. He also shares another movement, which consists of pulling your nose to one side and applying pressure under the opposite cheekbone.
According to him, this technique works by “using massage pressure to increase blood flow more significantly to the sinuses“. Cautious, he nevertheless reminds us that this advice should not be taken as medical advice.
Treating allergies with medication remains the best solution
When asked, Dr Solène Vo-Quang, a stomatologist, explains that this type of trick does not really work. “It may work if the cause of the blocked nose is anatomical but not if it is an obstructive cause.” she says.In case of allergy, it is the entire mucous membrane that is swollen so it does not work”.
To treat nasal congestion linked to a respiratory allergy, it is recommended to take antihistamine treatment, do nasal washes with physiological serum and avoid pollens as much as possible, which are responsible for the attacks.
There are also medications called decongestants, particularly in the form of nasal sprays, which help to limit the swelling of the mucous membranes and therefore reduce the feeling of a blocked nose.