How To Use Afrin Nasal Spray

Nasal Sprays: How to Use Them Correctly

Nasal sprays are liquid medicines you spray into your nose. They are used to help relieve congestion (stuffiness) in your nose. Congestion is often a symptom of a cold or allergies.

Path to improved health

Nasal sprays are bachelor as either over the counter or as prescriptions. Also, they come in two types of containers: pressurized canisters and pump bottles.

Steps for using a pressurized canister

Gently blow your nose to clear it of mucus before using the medicine.
Make sure the canister fits snugly in its holder. Shake the canister several times just before using it.
Keep your head upright. Exhale out slowly.
Hold your nasal spray canister in i hand. Insert the canister tip into your olfactory organ, aiming the tip toward the back of your head. Utilize a finger to shut the nostril on the side not receiving the medicine.
Press downwards on the canister as you begin to breathe in slowly through your nose. Repeat these steps for the other nostril. If you're using more than one spray in each nostril, follow all these steps once more.
Endeavour not to sneeze or blow your olfactory organ just later using the spray.

Steps for using a pump bottle

Gently blow your nose to articulate information technology of mucus earlier using the medicine.
Remove the cap. Shake the canteen. The first fourth dimension yous use the pump spray each day, you may have to "prime" it. Practise this by squirting information technology a few times into the air until a fine mist comes out.
Tilt your head frontwards slightly. Breathe out slowly.
Concord the pump bottle with your thumb at the bottom and your index and middle fingers on top. Insert the canister tip in your olfactory organ, aiming the tip toward the back of your caput. Use a finger on your other hand to close your nostril on the side not receiving the medicine.
Squeeze the pump as y'all begin to breathe in slowly through your nose. Repeat these steps for the other nostril. If yous're using more than one spray in each nostril, follow all these steps again.
Try not to sneeze or blow your olfactory organ just after using the spray.

Helpful hints

Talk with your doctor about how long it may be before your encounter improvement to your congestion. Some sprays take up to two weeks to work.
Wash the canister device at least once a week.
Be sure yous can sniff air through each nostril before spraying. Otherwise the medicine will exist wasted considering information technology will non go deep into your olfactory organ.
Aim directly. Point the nozzle of the nasal spray container toward the back of your head. If you don't spray direct, you volition waste the medicine and may crusade more irritation in your olfactory organ.
If the pump spray is used correctly, the spray should not baste from your nose or down the back of your throat.
If your olfactory organ hurts, if you begin to have nosebleeds, or if the inside of your nose stings, stop using the spray for 1 to two days. Sometimes it helps to use a saline nose spray (some brands: SalineX, Bounding main Nasal Mist, or NaSal) just before yous utilise your medicine nasal spray.
Follow your doctor'due south instructions on how to use the medicine. Nearly nasal sprays work all-time when used regularly and consistently.
Keep your medicine abroad from sunlight.

Things to consider

Nasal sprays come with different kinds of medicines. Some of these medicines tin impairment the inside of your nose if used for a long time. Also, long-term apply may make your olfactory organ stop responding to the spray. This may cause you to use more than of the spray to become the results you had earlier. If this happens, talk with your doctor. He or she may be able to suggest something that will work amend for you.

Some nasal sprays have a limit on how long they tin can be used. Your doctor can tell y'all how long you can use your spray.

Questions for your doc

Why should I use nasal spray instead of pills or liquid decongestants?
Are there any side effects for nasal sprays?
How onetime should y'all exist before using nasal sprays?
Are nasal sprays addictive?

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to observe out if this information applies to you lot and to become more information on this field of study.