Common mistake people don't realise when using over-the-counter nasal sprays
A doctor has warned there are three things that might be stopping your nasal spray from working its best - and how to avoid them
People suffering with blocked noses often turn to nasal sprays bought over-the-counter to fix the problem.
However, one medical expert has warned that it can be really easy for these to be ineffective if you don't use them the correct way.
Dr Suraj Kukadia, better known online as Dr Sooj, took to TikTok with some advice after a follower mentioned they're experiencing issues with their nasal spray.
He said: "Loads of people use nasal sprays wrong, but even those who use them correctly are might still get the fluid dripping to the edge of their nose and then dripping out. There are three reasons I can think of that this might be happening.
"The first is that you might be doing the correct technique, but the nozzle of the nasal spray might not actually be going into the right place in your nostril. The way that you can overcome that is by using a nasal spray or nasal steroid with a longer nozzle."
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He suggested buying something like Pirinase over the counter as this brand has that longer nozzle, compared to others on the market.
The bigger nozzle can help you find the right spot to apply the spray higher up the nose and avoid leakage.
The doctor added: "You might be using a spray that's just releasing a lot of liquid so you could just switch over to [a spray] that releases less fluid. For example, Beconase is drier than Pirinase but the nozzle for Beconase is a bit shorter."
Another common issue is that "there is just too much fluid", but Dr Sooj suggests the best way to solve this.
He said: "Just tilt your head forward and then just take short, gentle sniffs and then you'll be able to feel that liquid going up into your nasal passageways."
The NHS doctor previously spoke about people becoming "addicted" to nasal sprays which are only meant to be used as short-term relief rather than a long-term solution to a problem.
Whilst these decongestants can help you feel somewhat normal again when your breathing is blocked - helping with the symptoms of conditions such as colds and flu, hay fever and other allergic reactions - they can stop being effective at all after just a few days.
According to the NHS website, decongestant nasal sprays and drops should not be used for more than a week at a time because using them for too long can make your stuffiness worse. Whilst most problems should clear up within a few days given proper treatment, any long-term nose blockage may point towards you having a sinus infection or suffering with allergies.
Booking an appointment to see your GP can usually get to the bottom of what's causing your problem. They can also plan the best way to treat you moving forward if it's not something as simple as a cold.
