How To Properly Use Nasal Spray
If you suffer from allergies, nasal spray is an effective way to treat your allergies. Nasal spray, unlike oral allergy medications, allows you to target your treatment on the part of your body that is suffering the most. Most nasal spray formulas are made for long-term use and can be used without the allergy season to treat your stuff nose from your allergies.
Types of Nasal Spray
There are various types of nasal spray, so you want to make sure that you purchase the right nasal spray.
Decongestants
Decongestants are available in both over the counter and prescription forms. Decongestant nasal spray shrinks the blood vessels in your nose in order to help reduce swelling in your nose caused by congestion. You can only use a decongestant nasal spray for a few days, or you will suffer adverse effects.
Steroid Nasal Spray
You generally have to have a prescription to purchase steroid nasal spray, although you can directly ask for it and get some types of steroid nasal spray over the counter at your local pharmacy. Steroid nasal spray is generally used to treat allergies as well as sinus infections.
As this type of spray is prescription based, only use it the prescribed number of times per day.
Salt-Water Solutions
Salt-water solutions, also known as saline solutions, do not require a prescription to purchase as they don't contain any medication. This type of spray is designed to break up the mucus in your nose and keep your nose from getting dried out. As it is water-based and doesn't contain any steroids, you can use this as many times a day as you would like.
How to Use Your Nasal Spray
In order for your nasal spray to work, you need to know how to use it correctly.
Clear Your Nasal Passages
Before you use a nasal spray, you are going to want to clear your nasal passages first. Blow your nose a few times over a couple of minutes to clear your nasal passages as much as possible. Don't blow too hard and strain your body; a few regular blows into a tissue are all that is necessary to clear your nasal passage.
Shake Up the Bottle
Most nasal sprays state that you should shake the bottle up before you use it. Read the bottle of nasal spray that you purchased to see if it recommended shaking the bottle before using it. If so, give the bottle a few good shakes to really mix up the solution before using it.
Position the Bottle
To position the bottle for use, you are going to want to take one finger and use it to block up one side of your nose. Just take your finger and push it against your nose to close your nostril.
Then, with the other hand, place the nozzle of the nasal spray right below the entrance to your other nostril. Keep a good grip on the bottle by positioning your thumb at the bottom of the bottle.
Use the Spray
Once you have the bottle positioned, give the bottle a slight gentle squeeze. Do not squeeze the bottle too hard; keep your touch nice and gentle.
As you squeeze the bottle, you are going to want to make sure that you breath in at the same time. Take a nice, slow breath in, like you would when doing yoga or meditating. Don't gasp the air in like how you might be breathing at the end of a long, hard work out. Breathing in slowly will allow the spray time to work and clear up your passage.
After you use the spray on one side of your nose, you can repeat the process on the other side of your nose if that nasal passage is also clogged up.
Try to avoid blowing your nose or sneezing if you can help it for a couple of minutes after using the spray. This will give the spray time to work and clear up your passages. Use as needed throughout the allergy season.
Make sure that you know what type of nasal spray you need before you head to your local pharmacy. If you are still not sure, ask the pharmacist to help you get the right nasal spray for your condition. You can also contact a company like Rhinase for more information.
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