Nasal Sprays

Most nasal sprays are sold over the counter, without the need for a prescription, and are generally used to treat nasal congestion. Nasal congestion (a stuffy nose) can be caused by either allergies or a common cold, and it is the result of the blood vessels in the nose swelling.

Most non-prescription nasal spays are designed for quick relief of nasal congestion. They work by constricting the blood vessels in the nose, thereby relieving the congestion. It’s important to remember that nasal spays do nothing to address the cause of the congestion, but merely relieve the symptoms.

While decongestant nasal sprays are useful for providing occasional short term relief from nasal congestion, readers should be careful to avoid using them on a regular basis. If decongestant nasal spays are used regularly, it is possible to become “addicted” to them.

The reason “addicted” is in quotes above is that it is a slight misnomer: your body does not become physically dependant on the nasal spray in any way, nor are there withdrawal symptoms. What occurs, rather, is that your body begins to fight the constriction of the blood vessels in the nose. If you use a spray repeatedly over a long time, your body will become more effective at fighting this constriction. It’s possible to reach a point where the nasal spray does very little, and the blood vessels – because of the body’s over compensation – are constantly swelled (i.e. your nose is always stuffed) when the spray is not being used. This cycle repeats and as you continue to use the spray the problem gets worse. The only solution is to stop using the decongestant nasal spray entirely for a few weeks, at which point the nose will generally return to normal.

All that being said, decongestant nasal sprays are excellent for providing quick relief. Many people will begin to feel them work in seconds, and they can be a godsend to those who are suffering from bad allergies or a cold. Remember, though, that decongestant nasal sprays should never be used regularly – this will only exasperate the problem.

If you find yourself suffering from nasal congestion on a regular basis, see your doctor. In many cases a doctor can provide a prescription nasal spray that works in different ways from over the counter decongestant sprays. These prescription sprays are intended to be used daily, and over the long term will relieve chronic nasal congestion in a more permanent fashion.