Physician Cautions Public on Viral Trend for Alleviating Nasal Congestion

Despite its trending status on TikTok, using garlic for stuffy noses is far from advisable.

Medical experts are raising red flags about a popular DIY method for clearing nasal congestion, cautioning that it may worsen cold and flu symptoms instead of alleviating them.

“I strongly advise against this practice,” emphasized Dr. Madeleine Herman, head physician at the Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, in a conversation with The Post. “Not only does it fail to alleviate symptoms, but it can also exacerbate them.”

Numerous TikTok videos capture individuals inserting whole cloves of raw garlic into their nostrils for 10 to 15 minutes, then removing them to release an avalanche of thick mucus, much to their bizarre satisfaction.

Proponents on social media claim this unusual tactic can clear blocked sinuses and serve as a congestion cure when other remedies fall short.

However, don’t be misled by the mucus. While garlic may offer certain health advantages, Dr. Herman warned that this approach could have unintended negative outcomes.

“The dramatic mucus drainage people see after removing the garlic happens for two reasons,” she explained.

First, the mucus has been building up behind the blockage and simply rushes out once the garlic is removed.

Second, the strong compounds in garlic irritate the nasal lining, prompting the nose to churn out even more mucus in an attempt to “flush out” the irritant.

In other words, the torrent of snot you see streaming from TikTokers’ noses isn’t a sign of healing — it’s a reaction to irritation. That irritation can trap existing mucus, making congestion feel even worse.

Herman added that shoving raw garlic up your nose carries real, potentially painful risks.

“The active compounds in garlic can cause chemical burns when applied to the skin or mucous membranes,” she cautioned.

This can cause the delicate tissues inside your nose to bleed, especially with repeated attempts, and may even trigger a rash or leave lasting scars.

“Leaving a foreign object in the nose for too long can also lead to infection,” she warned.

Sticking a garlic clove up your nose can introduce harmful microbes into the delicate nasal cavity. Combined with irritation, this creates a damp environment where bacteria are able to thrive.

The result: a painful sinus infection and other complications. There’s also a risk the clove could get stuck or break apart, potentially requiring a doctor to remove it.

The trend comes as cold and flu season is in full swing across the US, leaving Americans sniffling, sneezing and searching for a solution to clear up congestion.

If you want to breathe freely, doctors recommend skipping the garlic and and sticking to proven methods for treating a cold.

“Colds are usually self-limited viral infections,” Dr. Raj Sindwani, an otolaryngologist, told the Cleveland Clinic. “It’s best to treat them holistically with rest, hydration and nasal sprays or irrigations with saline.”

Over-the-counter nasal decongestants containing ingredients like pseudoephedrine can also help, while pain relievers such as acetaminophen may ease sinus pressure and pain.

Placing a warm, damp cloth over the nose and forehead may soothe discomfort, and adding a humidifier to your room can helps keep nasal passages from drying out.

Inhaling steam from a hot shower or a bowl of water can also help loosen mucus and reduce inflammation.

But if your cold lasts more than 10 days, worsens after initially improving or comes with severe symptoms like high fever, chest pain or difficulty breathing, experts say you should see a doctor to rule out something more serious.