Here is the most interesting part of the anatomy: the Nasolacrimal duct empties into your nose. This is why, when you cry, your nose runs. It is also why, when you successfully unblock a tear duct at home, you might suddenly taste something salty or metallic in the back of your throat. It is the backed-up fluid finally finding its exit.

Soak a clean, soft washcloth or cotton ball in warm (not hot) water. Wring it out and place it gently over the closed eye for 5–10 minutes.

Home remedies are wonderful, but they aren’t magic. Discontinue and seek medical care if:

Always massage after using a warm compress. The heat primes the duct. And always sweep downward —never upward or side-to-side. If you feel pain, you are pressing too hard.

Dealing with a blocked tear duct (nasolacrimal duct obstruction) can be irritating, causing persistent watering, stickiness, or crusty discharge. While most cases in infants resolve on their own by age one, home remedies can provide significant relief and even help clear the blockage faster. 1. Warm Compresses

The medical community often prescribes a simple technique for adults and infants alike: . While the name sounds like a sleep technique, it is actually a mechanical way to pop open the drainage valve in your eye.

This is the part that feels like a secret technique passed down by healers.