Nasal Decongestant Spray

People often get irritated with a running nose, as it causes a lot of discomfort and at times, can disrupt sleep. Inflammation or swelling of nose tissues and dilation of blood vessels cause nasal congestion.

How Does the Spray Work?

Xylometazoline, is one of the most popularly used nasal decongestant spray. It acts on the alpha receptors present along the sinuses and nasal passages. It reduces swelling of the sinus and nasal passage, by reducing the flow of blood to the linings of the sinuses. The spray also reduces production of mucus, thus helping to ease blocked nose.

Before using the spray, it is important to blow the nose once, thoroughly. Holding the head up, put the nozzle of the spray bottle inside the nostrils, one at a time. Press the bottle and inhale. Take deep breaths while inhaling, so that the medicine gets evenly distributed. Repeat this for a few times so that the decongestant reaches the interiors of the nasal passage. There may be specific instructions pertaining to the use of a nasal spray, depending on the brand. It is therefore important to read the instructions on the label, before using it.

The sprays provides total relief within 10 minutes of spraying, and its effect lasts for at least 12 hours. Decongestant pills are also available, which start working within 30 minutes of consuming them, and stay effective for about 6 hours. It is better not to use decongestant sprays in case of sneezing or itching of the nose, as they cannot be treated with decongestants.

Side Effects

Rebound Congestion
If the spray is used for more than 5 days, it tends to become ineffective. In such cases, extra doses of decongestant must be used, to get the desired effect. Additional use of decongestant may create an addiction to these sprays and also worsen the congestion.

Rhinitis Medicamentosa
If the problem of rebound congestion continues, there is a possibility that it could permanently damage the sinus membranes. This condition is known as rhinitis medicamentosa. Nose bleeding, stuffiness of nose, and excessive nasal dryness are a few common symptoms of this condition.

Other Side Effects
A few other side effects of using a nasal decongestant spray may include:

• Headache
• A feeling of nervousness
• High blood pressure
• Increase in pulse rate
• Insomnia
• Stinging, burning or dryness of the nasal lining
• Nausea
• Frequent sneezing

Precautions

There are certain things people need to bear in mind before using a nasal spray:

• Decongestants should be used only for spraying in the nose, and are not to be consumed. Also try not to spray the decongestant in the eyes.
• Avoid using some other persons spray.
• Once the bottle has been opened, it should not be used for more than 28 days.
• The spray should not be used for more than 7 days on the trot. It can lead to addiction. Moreover, the medicine becomes ineffective after 3 to 5 days.
• It should not be used by children below 12 years of age and by pregnant women. People who have undergone neurosurgery recently, should avoid using it.
• Before using any decongestants, consult a physician and buy proper medicines prescribed by him.

Using a nasal decongestant spray is a very good temporary solution to cure nasal discomfort. However, there are a lot of people who have been addicted to these nasal sprays. Addiction happens when the spray is used continuously for more than 7 to 10 days. As the use of sprays become frequent, the body develops resistance to the medicine. This renders the medicine ineffective and may also cause rebound congestion. To avoid this, use the decongestant spray for only 3 days at a time and if it doesn't cure the disease, consult a physician for a proper diagnosis and alternatives, to cure the illness.