Blocked nose without a cold
A nose that has been blocked since October is probably not a cold. Constant congestion is one of the most common signs of year-round allergic rhinitis. Our test measures IgE sensitisation to 300 allergens and allergen components, so you can see whether dust mite, pets, mould or something else shows up.
How allergy blocks a nose
When a sensitised person breathes in an allergen, the lining of the nose swells and produces mucus. With pollen this comes and goes with the season. With allergens you meet every day, like dust mite or a pet, the swelling can become constant, so the main complaint is a blocked nose rather than sneezing.
People often notice it most at night: lying down makes congestion worse, and bedrooms are where dust mite lives. Snoring, mouth breathing and waking with a dry throat are common side effects.
Common triggers of a constant blocked nose
Year-round congestion is usually linked to indoor allergens.
- House dust mite, in mattresses, pillows, carpets and upholstered furniture.
- Cat and dog allergens, which stick to clothes and travel into homes without pets.
- Mould spores, in damp bathrooms, behind furniture and in poorly ventilated rooms.
- Seasonal pollen on top, which can make an already blocked nose worse in spring and summer.
What the test shows
The lab checks your finger-prick sample for IgE to 300 allergens and allergen components and reports a measured value and class for each, from Negative to Very high. A strong dust mite result with nothing else raised points in a different direction than a pattern spread across pets and pollen.
Sensitisation is not proof that an allergen causes your congestion. It is a map to take to your doctor, who can weigh it against when and where your nose blocks up.
Other reasons for a blocked nose
A deviated septum, nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis, pregnancy, and long use of decongestant sprays can all keep a nose blocked without any allergy involved. None of these show up on an IgE test. If little or nothing comes back raised, that is a useful signal to look elsewhere with an ENT doctor.
When to see a doctor first
See a doctor if your nose is blocked on one side only, you have nosebleeds, loss of smell, facial pain or swelling, fever, or congestion that has lasted more than a few weeks. Persistent one-sided symptoms in particular should be examined in person.
Allergens often linked to this
Related symptoms
300 allergens. One test.
A finger-prick sample at home, sent by post. A detailed lab report typically 5 days after the lab receives your sample, and our plain-English guide to reading it. €300, €1 per allergen.
Questions
Can an allergy cause a blocked nose without sneezing?
Yes. With allergens you meet daily, such as dust mite, congestion is often the main or only nasal symptom. Sneezing fits are more typical of pollen.
Why is my nose more blocked at night?
Lying down increases congestion for everyone, and bedrooms hold the most dust mite allergen. If nights are clearly worse, dust mite is worth checking. The test includes it.
I don't have a pet. Can a pet allergen still matter?
Cat allergen in particular is sticky and travels on clothes, so it turns up in schools, offices and homes without cats. The test shows whether you are sensitised, wherever the exposure comes from.
Does the test check for sinus problems?
No. It measures IgE antibodies to allergens. Sinusitis, polyps and structural issues need a doctor's examination.