The head is tight, the nose is blocked, Breathing is difficult. A decongesting nasal spray provides in acute colds often quick remedy. However, often a lack of clarity about the correct use of these Sprays prevails. Can nose make sprays and how they are applied properly? The ENT doctor and Chairman of the HNOnet NRW Dr. Uso Walter tells them of a healthy application and gives tips on how to wean off of nasal sprays.
A decongesting nasal spray only for acute infections
To the decongestant nasal spray should be effective if there is an “acute infection of the nose, the nasal is sinuses and the middle ear,” says Dr. Uso Walter. (The flu or the common cold? So you can see the difference) Through the reduction of Swelling could accelerate the healing and the discomfort will be quickly alleviated, as the expert.
A decongesting nasal spray works like this: “The cavernous body of the nose – the turbinates swell due to the narrowing of the blood vessels,” says Dr. Uso Walter. The nose feels free and Breathing is easier. However, this effect lasts a maximum of four to six hours. (Read here: This error will worsen your cold) The blood vessels to fill up and swell significantly.
And a negative side effect of the decongestant nasal spray has: “in addition, the mucous membranes dry out so fast, what especially in case of allergies, and the elderly disadvantages,” says Dr. Uso Walter. This includes itching of the skin, Sneezing, angioneurotic Edema, bleeding to the nose include, for example,. Allergy sufferers, Pregnant women, older patients and people who have very mucous membranes dry nose, should avoid, according to Dr. Walter, therefore, better to decongestant Sprays.
Nasal spray to use only a few days
For taking the nasal spray, this specifically means: Decongestant nasal sprays may have a maximum of one week, in a interval of eight hours. Because of the to reduce swelling wears off quickly, grab a lot of people faster and getting back to the nasal spray. “This undermines but the self-regulation of the nose,” says the ENT doctor. The result: after a short time the nose is only using the nasal sprays-free and is dependent. (If a nasal spray makes the vortex: The exchange of Leroy Sané to Bavaria failed due to a nasal spray)
So the nose works spray withdrawal
Who now feels addressed and who is attacking more and more nasal spray than he would like, should try these seven steps that Dr. Walter recommends to weaning, be sure to:
1. You are going to buy a nasal spray, in which the lid can Unscrew and fill up your old one, a decongesting nasal spray.
2. You are going to buy a cortisone-containing nasal spray (Mometasone). The active ingredient is not absorbed into the blood and makes neither dependent on nor causes side effects.
3. You take every night, the cortisone-containing nose spray, and taking a decongesting nasal spray-as-usual according to your needs.
4. As soon as the decongestant nasal spray is half empty, fill it with salt water. To do this, mix a Liter of water from the faucet with one tablespoon of cooking salt.
5. Always, when the decongestant nasal spray is empty again and repeat step 4.
6. If the cortisone-containing nasal spray is empty, omit it.
7. After about three weeks take you through the dilution of salt water nose spray, and have made the withdrawal. The next time you infection make sure that you use the decongestant nasal spray only as directed in the package leaflet and on no account more often.
Salt spray: much Much help!
In addition to the decongestant nasal sprays there are also Sprays with saline solutions that can support the nose. This can be used, according to Dr. Walter, in the context of infections, but also prophylactically. Their main function is the moistening of the nose. Thus, mucus is transported better and can not put in the ideal case, in the first place properly. In contrast to the decongesting nasal sprays, the following rule applies here: a Lot helps a lot! The salt spray (read here: Inhale with salt) should be several times daily, and for as long as necessary taken, in order for it to work properly.
This article was written by (Ruth de Carné)
*The contribution “because Of harmless: As dangerous nasal sprays really are” will be released by GQ. Contact with the executives here.