Nasal Spray Misuse: How It Can Cause Chronic Congestion
- Using nasal decongestant sprays for more than seven days to relieve congestion can worsen the problem and lead to chronic stuffiness, Spanish ear, nose, and throat specialists warn.
- The Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC) issued the caution, noting that these sprays have become a common remedy for congestion, notably during winter...
- These topical nasal decongestants contain vasoconstrictor drugs that reduce blood flow to the nasal mucosa,providing speedy relief from obstruction.
Nasal Decongestant Sprays Can Backfire with Prolonged Use
Using nasal decongestant sprays for more than seven days to relieve congestion can worsen the problem and lead to chronic stuffiness, Spanish ear, nose, and throat specialists warn.
The Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC) issued the caution, noting that these sprays have become a common remedy for congestion, notably during winter cold season and spring allergy season.
These topical nasal decongestants contain vasoconstrictor drugs that reduce blood flow to the nasal mucosa,providing speedy relief from obstruction.
The Risks
However, the SEORL-CCC explains that using nasal sprays for approximately more than seven days can cause medicamentous rhinitis. This condition creates a “rebound effect,” leading to increased nasal congestion when the drug wears off, and also causes “drug tolerance,” requiring higher doses for the same relief.
Otolaryngologists say both of these phenomena result in progressive worsening of symptoms and addiction to the medication – hallmarks of the disease.
Furthermore, nasal sprays can have adverse effects such as tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, and direct damage to nasal tissues due to reduced blood supply, including septal perforations. While these severe outcomes are rare with appropriate use, they are a potential concern.