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Sinusitis and addiction

by — Last updated: 2023-10-18 in Prescription & Over-The-Counter Drugs
Reviewed by Medical Team — 2023-10-18

Table of Contents

You probably know someone who has had a runny nose for more than a week, maybe even more than a month. New research has found that it may not be wise to use nose drops periodically, because it can be addictive.

Nasal decongestants may help the sinuses drain, but antihistamines may actually make the sinus infection worse, as they sometimes make the mucus thicker and harder to drain. Topical decongestants, such as the nose drops and sprays, make the child feel better but at a terrible price.

Overuse of these products actually makes the lining of the nose addicted to them, so that the child cannot breathe well without using them. That is why a doctor should recommend staying away from nose drops as much as possible. A better treatment is salt water.

How to use nose drops properly?

Blow your nose gently, then drop the required number of drops into each nostril. The aim is to get the liquid to spread over the entire inside surface of the nose, including the upper surface. A good position is to lie on the bed with your head hanging back over the edge; you should stay like this for two minutes after putting in the drops, so that the liquid does not immediately run out of your nose or down the back of your throat, but stays for a while in the nose cavity.

Kneeling or bending forward is an alternative, but it is harder to stay like this for two minutes. You should not put in nose drops by tilting your head back when standing or sitting. This way the upper surface inside your nose will not be covered by the liquid.

Each consumer of nose drops should ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice before starting a new type of nose drops. Between doses, you should keep the bottle closed and store in a cool, dark place. Do not let anyone else use your drops and do not use anyone else’s drops yourself.

Do not use nose drops more often or for longer than advised. In addition, everyone who uses nose drops should know addiction with nose drops is not like getting hooked on weed or pain pills. It is not as you get a mellow feeling and want to go for the drift off. With nose drops, you need more and more just to breathe, which is a serious problem. You can mess up your natural nose reactions and then you would need to spray just to get air in, so be very careful when you start using nose drops.