Nasal spray warning as man suffers lung infection after using allergy medicine
Decongestant nasal sprays are a popular medication for people suffering from colds and flus - but overuse can actually make the condition worse.
They work by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages, which helps to open up the airways.
According to the NHS, they are generally safe to use and should not be used for more than a week at a time.
Dr Matthew Calcasola, Chief Medical Officer at Get A Drip, has warned that overusing these nasal sprays for too long can actually worsen congestion and stuffiness instead of preventing it - this is called ‘rebound congestion’, also known as rhinitis medicamentosa.
The expert explained: “Decongestant sprays work by shrinking the blood vessels in your nasal passages. This reduces inflammation in the nose and helps you breathe easier.
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“However, when the drug wears off, your nasal blood vessels swell up again, causing immediate withdrawal congestion. This withdrawal symptom makes it difficult for some users to come off nasal sprays after three days of recommended use.”
The irritation and congestion caused by overuse of nasal sprays can cause nosebleeds and severely affect your quality of sleep.
This may lead to decreased productivity, poor focus, compromised cognitive performance and poor emotional regulation, interfering with everyday life, explained the doctor.
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The congestion caused by overuse of nasal sprays can cause nosebleeds and severely affect your quality of sleep (Getty Images/iStockphoto)He said: “Users develop a tolerance to decongestant nose sprays over time. This means they need to take increasingly larger amounts to achieve the desired effect. Withdrawal from nasal sprays can also cause unpleasant headaches, restlessness and anxiety.”
When people become dependant on decongestant nasal sprays, these can lead to negative side effects, including:
Dry irritated throat
Stinging or burning sensations in the nose
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
feeling restless or agitated
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Nausea
Dizziness
Headaches.
This comes as one man suffered a lung infection after using a common menthol decongestant five to 20 times a day for more than two years.
Writing in the BMC Pulmonary Medicine, medics from China discovered that the man was suffering with lipoid pneumonia after experiencing flu-like symptoms such as a temperature, a cough and a tight chest.
The lung disease, which occurs when fat particles enter the lungs, can be deadly if not caught and treated quickly.
He was also carrying a secondary infections, known as mycobacterium - when mycobacteria enters the body, they can cause skin lesions, soft tissue infections, and serious lung problems.
Researchers said oil-containing nasal drops had accumulated in his lungs resulting in inflammation and lung damage.
And the infection was a rare complication of pneumonia.
Dr Calcasola recommends using milder, non-medicated alternatives such as saline spray before turning to nasal decongestant sprays.
Saline spray can be used daily without rebound nasal congestion or additional harm caused to the nasal tissue.
He added: “If you suspect that you have become dependent on your nasal spray, your best course of action is to immediately cease use of the medication.
“Abruptly stopping it, however, can sometimes lead to greater swelling and congestion. Your GP may recommend gradually decreasing your use of the medication over a period of time.”
He explained that in more severe cases, your GP may recommend prescription nasal glucocorticosteroids to reduce inflammation and congestion.
Or they may prescribe a short course of oral steroids to help you manage the initial severe withdrawal congestion that occurs while trying to quit the nasal spray.
“In a worst-case scenario, your GP may consider referring you for surgery,” the doctor said.
“For example, long-term congestion and inflammation can cause polyps to form in your nasal cavity. These polyps, in turn, further exacerbate your symptoms. Surgery to remove the polyps or other obstruction(s) may offer relief.”
Decongestant nasal sprays are most commonly used to manage nasal congestion caused by colds, flus, and allergies such as hay fever.
To bolster your immune system, be sure to eat a varied and balanced diet and keep active.
Dr Calcasola recommends Get A Drip’s Immunity Drip which contains essential vitamins such as Vitamin C, B Complex and Zinc that contribute to normal immune function, as well as a reduction in tiredness and fatigue.
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