Can Afrin damage your nose?

Published by Anaya Cole on

Can Afrin damage your nose?

Eventually, the duration of action of the nasal spray decreases, so it must be used more and more frequently for the same effect. If the medicine is used long-term (months to years), permanent damage to the nose may occur. Once a nasal decongestant spray addiction has taken hold, it is tough to break on one’s own.

What are the long term side effects of Afrin nasal spray?

Oxymetazoline may also cause some other unwanted effects if used for long:

  • Temporary burning, stinging, and dryness in the nose.
  • Runny nose and sneezing.
  • Slow/fast/pounding heartbeat.
  • High blood pressure and lightheadedness.
  • Anxiety and nervousness.
  • Trouble sleeping and dizziness.
  • Tremors and visual disturbances.

How does Afrin severe congestion work?

How It Works. It is a solution that’s applied as a squirt into the nostril. Once applied, Afrin stimulates receptors in the smooth muscle of the blood vessels of the nose, leading to constriction of these blood vessels that, in turn, reduces nasal congestion.

Is Flonase better than Afrin?

Is Afrin or Flonase better? Afrin provides a faster response to congestion with an onset of action within 10 minutes. It is not recommended for use longer than three days, however. Flonase is slower to relieve congestion symptoms but can be used safely long term.

Does Afrin affect your heart?

Most topical nasal decongestants (e.g., oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, and naphazoline) also carry the warning against use by patients with heart disease and high blood pressure, due to the possibility that some of the chemical might be absorbed and reach blood levels that would endanger their health.

Is Afrin the same as Flonase?

For example, nasal sprays such as Afrin® are only decongestants, while FLONASE allergy relief nasal sprays offer more complete* relief by treating additional nasal allergy symptoms.

What is a good alternative to Afrin?

Sudafed Congestion.

  • Sudafed 12-Hour.
  • Oxymetazoline nasal.
  • Claritin-D.
  • Sudafed PE Congestion.
  • Saline Nasal Mist.
  • How long does it take Afrin to get out of your system?

    Each time afrin is sprayed into the nose, the medication causes the blood vessels to squeeze shut, just like a tourniquet to a leg squeezes shut the blood flow to the foot. Fortunately, the medication effects only lasts about 12 hours before the “chemical tourniquet” wears off.

    Does Afrin have steroids?

    Afrin is not a steroid. It is an alpha-adrenergic agonist that works by inducing vasoconstriction in the nasal passage.

    What helps congestion from COVID?

    Here’s How to Treat COVID-19 Runny Nose and Congestion For adults with cold-like symptoms of COVID-19, Nori recommends recuperating at home by taking any over-the-counter decongestant, cough suppressant, or fever reducer — as long as your healthcare provider gives you the okay (even by phone).

    Does Afrin affect COVID test?

    The answer: There is no evidence that using a nose spray will alter your test results. TL; DR: The SARS CoV-2 rapid antigen tests (aka COVID-19 rapid tests) become positive if they find a lot of the protein that that comes from SARS CoV-2.

    Will Afrin raise your blood pressure?

    Topical nasal decongestants such as Afrin (oxymetazoline), Neo-Synephrine (phenylephrine), Privine (naphazoline), and Vicks VapoRub Inhaler (l-desoxyephedrine/levmetamfetamine) can also cause an increase in blood pressure.