What doctor should I see for congestion?

September 28, 2025 •

4 min read

Chronic nasal congestion impacts millions of people each year, yet many are unsure when their symptoms warrant more than home remedies. Determining what doctor should I see for congestion depends on the severity and duration of your symptoms, with different specialists handling acute versus chronic issues.

Quick Summary

Most people should first consult their primary care physician for congestion, who can treat common issues like colds or mild infections. For chronic or severe symptoms, such as persistent pain, fever, or structural problems, a referral to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or an allergist may be necessary.

Key Points

Primary Care First: Your PCP is the initial contact for mild, short-term congestion from colds, offering basic treatment and advice.
See an ENT for Chronic Issues: Persistent congestion (over 12 weeks), structural problems, or severe symptoms require the advanced expertise of an ENT specialist.
Consider an Allergist for Allergic Triggers: If your congestion is seasonal or accompanied by other allergy symptoms, an allergist can perform tests and create a specific treatment plan.
Urgent Care for Prompt Needs: Urgent care is a good option for sinus infections when your PCP isn't available, but it's not a substitute for specialized chronic care.
Emergency Room for Severe Symptoms: Seek immediate medical help for symptoms like severe headache, high fever, or vision changes, as they could indicate a serious complication.
Self-Care Helps Mild Symptoms: For minor congestion, at-home remedies like humidifiers, saline sprays, and staying hydrated can provide relief.

When to See a Primary Care Physician

Your primary care physician (PCP) is the first point of contact for most health issues, including simple, short-term congestion. They are equipped to diagnose and treat common causes like colds, the flu, and mild sinus infections. A visit to your PCP is appropriate if your congestion:

Is acute: Lasts for 7 to 10 days.
Accompanies a cold or flu: Occurs alongside other typical viral symptoms like a sore throat or body aches.
Is uncomplicated: Doesn't involve severe or worsening pain.

Your PCP will assess your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and recommend appropriate over-the-counter or prescription medications. In many cases, a viral illness simply needs time to run its course with supportive care.

At-Home Remedies and Follow-Up Care

Before or after seeing your PCP, you can manage mild congestion with several at-home strategies. These include staying hydrated to thin mucus, using a humidifier to moisten the air, and employing nasal saline sprays or rinses. For infants, a saline spray with a bulb syringe can help clear their nasal passages safely. Your PCP can guide you on the best approach and when to return for a follow-up if symptoms persist or worsen.

When to Consider an ENT Specialist

An Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist, also known as an otolaryngologist, has specialized training in diagnosing and treating complex conditions of the head and neck. Your PCP may refer you to an ENT if your congestion is severe, chronic, or accompanied by specific red-flag symptoms.

Key reasons to see an ENT include:

Chronic Sinusitis: Congestion lasting 12 weeks or longer, or recurring frequently.
Structural Problems: Issues like a deviated septum or nasal polyps that physically obstruct airflow.
Unresponsive Symptoms: Congestion that doesn't improve with standard medical treatments, including antibiotics or nasal sprays.
Severe Symptoms: Unrelenting facial pain, severe headache, high fever, or vision changes related to sinus pressure.

An ENT may perform an endoscopic exam, use imaging tests like a CT scan, or recommend advanced procedures to provide lasting relief.

When to Consult an Allergist

If your congestion is consistently linked to environmental factors or specific triggers, an allergist is the right specialist to see. Allergists can identify the root cause of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and create a targeted treatment plan.

Consider seeing an allergist if your congestion:

Is seasonal: Occurs regularly during certain times of the year, such as spring or fall.
Accompanies other allergy symptoms: Includes sneezing, itchy eyes, or postnasal drip.
Is persistent: Lasts for months, indicating year-round allergies.

Allergy testing, such as skin prick tests, can pinpoint specific allergens, from pollen and dust mites to mold and pet dander. Treatment options range from antihistamines and corticosteroids to immunotherapy (allergy shots) to desensitize your body to the allergen.

Deciding Which Doctor to See: A Comparison


Feature	Primary Care Physician (PCP)	ENT Specialist	Allergist
Best For	Acute illnesses, common colds, mild sinus infections.	Chronic sinusitis, structural issues (deviated septum, polyps), severe symptoms.	Allergic rhinitis (hay fever), recurring or seasonal congestion.
Initial Treatment	Over-the-counter medications, saline rinses, rest.	Further diagnostic tests (endoscopy, CT), prescription medication, surgery.	Allergy testing, prescription antihistamines, steroid sprays, immunotherapy.
Specialization	General health and routine care.	Surgical and medical management of ear, nose, and throat disorders.	Diagnosis and treatment of allergies and immune system disorders.
When to Refer	Symptoms persist >10 days, worsen after initial improvement, or are severe.	Referred by PCP for complex or unresolved issues.	Referred by PCP for suspected allergies or asthma.

The Role of Urgent Care and Emergency Rooms

For urgent but non-life-threatening sinus issues, an urgent care clinic can provide treatment similar to what a PCP offers, especially if your regular doctor is unavailable. However, certain severe symptoms warrant immediate medical attention in an emergency room:

A sudden, severe headache.
Stiff neck.
Changes in vision, such as double vision or swelling around the eyes.
High fever lasting more than a few days.
Confusion or altered mental status.

These symptoms can indicate a serious complication, such as a spreading infection, and require prompt evaluation.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Path to Relief

For straightforward, short-term congestion, your primary care physician is the best place to start. They can offer effective first-line treatments and determine if further testing or specialist care is necessary. If your congestion is chronic, severe, or linked to allergies, a referral to an ENT or an allergist can help uncover the underlying cause and provide a long-term solution. By understanding the different roles these doctors play, you can take the right steps toward finding lasting relief.

For more information on sinus conditions, visit the CDC's Sinus Infection Basics page.

Frequently Asked Questions

The first doctor you should see for a stuffy nose is your primary care physician. They can diagnose and treat common causes like colds, and if necessary, refer you to a specialist for more complex issues.

You should see an ENT doctor for congestion that lasts more than 12 weeks, keeps coming back, or doesn't improve with other treatments. An ENT can address underlying issues like structural problems or severe sinus infections.

Yes, congestion can be caused by allergies. If you experience seasonal or persistent congestion along with sneezing and itchy eyes, an allergist can perform tests to identify your specific triggers.

You should see a doctor if your congestion lasts for more than 10 days without improvement. This timeframe often indicates a bacterial infection or another underlying problem that requires medical attention.

Serious sinus infection warning signs include severe facial pain or headache, high fever for more than three days, changes in vision, or swelling around the eyes. If you experience these, seek immediate medical care.

Yes, an urgent care center can treat congestion, especially if it's related to an acute sinus infection and you can't see your PCP. However, for chronic conditions, a specialist is typically needed.

During an ENT visit for congestion, the specialist may perform a physical exam, including a nasal endoscopy, to look for blockages or inflammation. They may also order further tests, like a CT scan, to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Yes, a deviated septum can cause chronic congestion by physically blocking your nasal passages. An ENT specialist can diagnose and recommend surgical correction if needed.