Why your stuffy nose is stinking up your mouth

If you have allergies, you know how uncomfortable, annoying and sometimes paralyzing they can be. Whether you're allergic to food or dust allergens - when your eyes get puffy, nose stuffed up and throat itchy - you might also be experiencing bad breath. You're probably thinking, "great, another issue to deal with on top of allergies." But don't fret - there are plenty of at-home remedies and practices that can kick halitosis in a jiff.

Post nasal drip and allergies
Isn't sniffling enough? Allergies can cause post nasal drip, which is a major player in bad breath. When the mucus in your nasal passages gets thick and sticky, it quickly clogs up your nose and you have to clear your throat often. You may always have a feeling of needing to blow your nose, as well. The mucus runs down the back of your throat, and it might have a foul odor to it, causing bad breath.

Allergies and dry mouth
Depending on the type of allergies you're suffering from, you'll either have a runny or clogged nose. If your nasal passages are stuffed up, it gets really hard to breathe through your nose. This is especially challenging when you're sleeping, and you may end up breathing through your mouth. It's often obvious when you wake up with dry mouth. Sleeping with a humidifier can help, but if you're having trouble falling asleep because you can't breathe well, this won't be an immediate treatment. Try to lie in bed with a heated sleeping mask, which can usually be purchased at beauty or drug stores, over your sinuses. This soothes your nose and underneath your eyes, which are usually uncomfortable when you're all stuffed up.

This can help get rid of your bad breath as well, because your mouth can stay moist throughout the night so bacteria don't accumulate. Before going to bed, drink a warm cup of tea with honey and lemon to break up the mucus and soothe your throat, which will make breathing through the nose more comfortable.

Allergy medicine may be worsening the issue
The medicine you are taking for allergies may be causing your dry mouth and bad breath. These types of medications work to block histamine that the body makes during any allergic reaction. You know how allergy medications help to relieve watery eyes and a runny nose? They can also dry out the nose and mouth too much and cause bad breath. If you are experiencing this, you may want to try a natural substance that helps fight your allergies or consider switching medications.

Treat it
Using nasal spray can be a great way to prevent allergies from causing bad breath. You can even make your own remedies at home with a mixture of one cup lukewarm water, a teaspoon of salt and a pinch of baking soda. This helps to remove the mucus that is caused by allergies and is the culprit of post nasal drip and bad breath.

Having an all natural mouthwash to gargle with can also help relieve some of the worst symptoms. Since a lot of over-the-counter mouthwashes contain alcohol, it will actually dry out your mouth and could cause post nasal drip to get worse. Natural mouthwashes will kill the bacteria that cause bad breath, while loosening up the mucus that may be sitting in the back of your throat.