The head is slimy, nose and ears closed: A severe cold can affect everyday life immensely. Medications such as nasal spray alleviate the symptoms – as long as they are used correctly.
Nasal spray moisturizes the mucous membranes in the olfactory organ. This can even prevent pathogens from entering the body. However, nasal spray is usually used when you are already sick. In this case, it is usually not the exclusively moisturizing spray that is used, but often also decongestant products. The active ingredients contained in it reduce swelling and inflammation, making it easier to breathe.
Drugs that have a decongestant effect are so-called alpha-sympathomimetics. These include, for example, xylometazoline or oxymetazoline. Doctors recommend short-term use, for example, for sinusitis and allergic rhinitis. In the long term, you should not use the products because they dry out the mucous membranes in the long run and an addiction can develop. Accordingly, the products should not be used for more than ten days.
Nasal spray: errors in use
Put your head on the back of your neck or leave it straight? If you use nasal spray, you can make some mistakes. © Imago
You can find even more exciting health topics in our free newsletter, which you can subscribe to right here
Not only in terms of duration, but also in the application itself, many make serious mistakes. Insert the spray head into the nose, press hard, inhale violently, done: Quite a few do exactly that. But that is not the way to go. Nosebleeds are often the result. Even if you can taste the nasal spray after application, you have done it wrong.
How to use nasal spray correctly:
- Do not spray in the direction of the brain, but in the direction of the nasal cavity: For this purpose, the nasal spray is not inserted vertically into the nostril, but slightly obliquely. The spray in the nose should therefore not go in the direction of the brain, but in the direction of the eye. This optimally transports the active ingredients into the nasal cavities.
- Hold your head straight first and then place it on the back of your neck: While spraying the spray into your nose, your head should be kept straight. Subsequently, the head can be placed in the neck so that the active ingredients can flow into all areas of the nose.
- "Sniff" several times, do not pull the spray forcefully into the nose: If you inhale too hard through the nose after using the nasal spray, you swallow the product. Then it doesn't get to the places where it's supposed to have an effect. Therefore, it is best to inhale lightly through the nose several times after operating the spray head.
Also Read
Cortisone: treatment for allergies and possible side effects
Thyroid: L-thyroxine is well tolerated – side effects and interactions are still possible
This article contains only general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It is in no way a substitute for a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, individual questions about clinical pictures may not be answered by our editors.
