How do I get over my nasal spray addiction?
Rebound congestion treatment The best way to break the cycle of Afrin addiction, Dr. Besser advises, is to stop taking the medication cold turkey. “Expect to be miserable for a few days while the body recovers,” she says. “One can use a nasal steroid (such as Flonase) to help limit the symptoms while the body recovers.
Can you be addicted to nasal spray?
For the majority of nasal sprays, the answer is NO. Nasal steroids sprays (Flonase®, Nasocort®, Nasonex®, etc. ) are safe to use on a daily basis and are now largely over-the-counter. These sprays are non-addictive and typically do not cause any long term changes to the nasal passages.
What happens if you abuse nose spray?
Nasal spray addiction is not a true “addiction,” but it can lead to tissue damage inside the nose. This can result in swelling and long-term stuffiness that leads to further use and overuse of the spray. In some cases, a person may need to undergo additional treatment, and possibly surgery, to correct any damage.
How long does it take to recover from nasal spray addiction?
Recovery typically takes less than one week and withdrawal symptoms can be easily managed. Research suggests that the best way to stop overusing DNSs is to switch to a steroid nasal spray. About six months after stopping a DNS, most people no longer have a tolerance to it. Studies show that relapse is very rare.
Why do people get addicted to nasal spray?
The Rebound Effect Your nose might not react to the medicine the same way it did when you first started to take it, and you might have to use more to ease your congestion. If you stop using the nasal spray, your congestion could get worse. That’s why some people think you can become addicted to nasal sprays.
Can nasal spray get you high?
Oxymetazoline Abuse TND addiction, thankfully, doesn’t change the brain structure, unlike drugs like cocaine or heroin. An oxymetazoline high isn’t necessarily a strong high, but it does exist and can have severe consequences. If a person uses nasal sprays excessively, it can cause psychosis.
How do you beat Afrin addiction?
Since the rebound effect isn’t an Afrin addiction, you can withdraw from daily use at home safely. One way to defeat rebound congestion is to simply go cold turkey. Most long-term Afrin users cannot do this because having a stuffy nose 24/7 is just uncomfortable and interferes with eating, sleeping and work tasks.
Can rebound congestion be cured?
Once you have rebound congestion, the most important thing to know is that it won’t go away as long as you keep using the spray. And once you stop using the spray, the resulting congestion can take a week or longer to go away.
How much nasal spray is too much?
Don’t use a spray more than once every 12 hours, or longer than 3 days.
Why can I taste my nose spray?
When attempting to sniff the spray as far into the head as possible, it actually runs down the back of your throat, providing little benefit to your nasal passages, and therefore causing the terrible taste effect.
How long does Afrin rebound last?
Rebound Congestion occurs then the 3 turbinates (superior, middle and inferior) are abnormally enlarged and block the nasal airflow into the nasopharynx. When the sprays are withdrawn, patients endure a period of extreme discomfort that often lasts 4-7 days.
How long does nasal rebound last?
And if you continue to use your nasal spray, this congestion can last for weeks or even months. There isn’t a test to formally diagnose rebound congestion. But if rhinitis medicamentosa is to blame, your symptoms should improve after you stop using the medication.
How do you know if you’re addicted to Afrin?
You might have a rebound effect if you’ve used it for more than 3 days, and you seem to be even more congested than you were when you started using it. If you use nasal spray too often, it can also cause chronic sinus infections.
Do nasal sprays get into the bloodstream?
Some nasal sprays, however, deliver medications that act elsewhere in the body. The lining of your nose is rich in blood vessels. This means it can easily absorb medications into your bloodstream. Depending on the medication, nasal sprays are available by prescription or over-the-counter (OTC).
Is Afrin a steroid?
No. Afrin (oxymetazoline) is a decongestant, whereas Flonase (fluticasone) is a steroid.
How to cure nasal spray addiction naturally?
Have cravings
How to break a nasal spray addiction?
Saline sprays. Saline nasal sprays are like a saltwater rinse for your nasal passages.
Can you become addicted to nasal spray?
Yes. These sprays can cause a so-called “nasal spray addiction” in some people. This often occurs when a person uses the decongestant nasal spray too frequently or for too long. Strictly, this is rebound congestion and not an addiction.
How to beat Afrin nasal addiction?
Your ears may feel stuffed or clogged.