The most common causes of nasal swelling include injury to the nose, a cold or allergies that inflames the nasal passages, and a sinus infection that causes pain and swelling both in the nose and in the cheeks and forehead. Identifying the cause of the swelling is the first step to treating it. Some people find that even something as simple as dry air in the home can cause swelling of the nasal passages and breathing difficulty. In addition, it is important to make sure that the nose isn't broken if it is swollen due to a trauma.
A broken nose will certainly cause nasal swelling, which can make it difficult to determine if the nose is actually broken or simply bruised. A broken nose will typically cause severe nose bleeding, and the nose may actually look crooked and will be extremely painful to the touch. If in doubt, it is best to visit a doctor to be sure. Otherwise, the best way to deal with a swollen nose from an injury or trauma is to apply ice in intervals, and to sit quietly until the swelling begins to go down. Bleeding should stop shortly; if it continues, it will be necessary to go to the doctor as well.
Nasal swelling that is not caused by any specific injury can be more frustrating. Allergies or a cold can both cause swelling and irritation of the nasal passages. Taking a decongestant or allergy medication might help, as well as rinsing the nasal passages with warm saline by using a neti pot. This can be especially helpful to clear the nose of dust and allergies that might be causing inflammation. In addition, a warm saline rinse is a good way to prevent sinus infections; if a sinus infection does occur, antibiotics are typically required to treat it, which should soon help to relieve the pain and swelling.
If the cause of the nasal swelling cannot be determined, it might be the air in one's workplace or home, or the type of heating used; forced air heat or recycled air in an office building can make the environment very dry, for example. Some people find that using a humidifier at night can be helpful at reducing congestion and swelling in the nose. In addition, sleeping with the head more elevated can help to prevent pressure from building in the sinuses, which can lead to pain and swelling.