BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Allergies & Colds Beware OTC nasal sprays

With all the sneezing and sniffling going on, it's easy to reach for over-the-counter nasal sprays. After all, they promise immediate relief from nasal stuffiness. But beware, they come with serious side effects and possible addiction. Be sure and read the warning label before you start spraying. Read more in the latest article on the Allergies and Colds page at http://bellaonline.com/site/allergiesandcolds

Thanks for the article!!!
A couple of weeks ago my nose totally clogged. It wasn't running. It wasn't doing anything but TOTALLY shut. No amount or brand of allergy medicine, lying face down with my head off the bed (as suggested by my husband to build up the pressure) anything would open it up. If I stood in a hot shower, it would open for as long as I was in the shower as soon as I stepped out, they clogged/closed right back up.
I could breathe through my mouth but I thought I was going to sufficate!!!

I had to resort to nose spray - which opened it up immediately the first couple of days...after that I had to use a lot just to get one nostril open. What ever it was finally went away. But that was actually scary for me because I've never had an allergy problem.

Thats a scary thing about nasal sprays. I wonder how many people are addicted to them given our habit of running to the pharmacy for every cold or allergy symptom.

You gave good advice on weaning oneself off the sprays.

They are easy to use especially if you want a quick fix as so many of us do. There are other solutions but they require more thought, effort and energy.