Nasal decongestant spray can be used to treat blocked noses – but users could face their symptoms getting worse
Experts have issued a warning over nasal spray ‘addiction'(Image: Getty Images)
People with blocked noses have been urged to only use nasal decongestant sprays for seven days – or face making their symptoms worse. It comes as a poll found almost six in 10 pharmacists said patients are unaware of the risks of using sprays for too long.
Decongestant sprays can be bought over-the-counter and provide short-term relief from stuffiness caused by colds, flu, allergies and sinusitis. However, using them for longer than a week can cause so-called ‘rebound congestion’, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) warned.
This preventable condition, also known as rhinitis medicamentosa, causes symptoms to worsen, with patients becoming dependent on sprays to breathe more easily.
An RPS survey of 300 pharmacists found 59 per cent think the public is not aware of this risk, while almost three-quarters (74 per cent) said packaging should be clearer about the seven-day limit. Almost two-thirds (63 per cent) said they had intervened in cases of suspected overuse.
Professor Amira Guirguis, chief scientist at the RPS, said: “Nasal decongestant sprays can be helpful for short-term relief, but using them for longer than seven days can make your congestion significantly worse.
“Our research shows that many people are unaware of this risk, which means they may continue using these sprays without realising they could be prolonging their symptoms.
“We’d like to see clearer warnings on the packaging which you can’t miss and greater awareness of the seven-day limit. If your congestion lasts more than a week, speak to your pharmacist. There are safe and effective alternative options to help you manage your symptoms.”
People struggling with blocked noses are being warned to limit their use of nasal decongestant sprays(Image: Getty Images)
The RPS urged patients to always follow the instructions on the packaging of nasal sprays and to seek advice from pharmacists if congestion continues after seven days.
It comes as winter viruses continue to put pressure on the NHS as hospital admissions from flu, Covid and norovirus have risen in the last week. An average of 2,924 flu patients were in hospital each day during the week ending January 4, up nine per cent from 2,676 the previous week.
An average of 361 hospital beds were filled each day last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 27 per cent from the previous week’s average of 284 patients.
Stuffed noses are common with both Covid and the flu. As admissions rise, pharmacists have urged the public to be aware of the risks of using nasal decongestant sprays for longer than a week.