16: Everything (most things) You Need to Know about Sinus Cavities Show Notes I believe everyone has heard about facial sinus cavities and that a sinus infection can happen., Ep 6: Motivate and Empower Kids by Teaching Physical Fitness Early Show Notes This episode of the Dr. Momma Podcast discusses how it is important for parents to motivate and, Ep. Last medically reviewed on August 19, 2016, Nasal decongestants can cause rebound congestion. (oxymetazoline) is a nasal decongestant spray used to relieve a stuffy nose and sinus pressure. , and it is a very real problem. Learn more: Neti pots for nasal congestion . https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=89c165ba-3ad5-49b5-a5bb-423dc8e15bad [Accessed November 2021], Drugs.com. Doctors seemed to think it easy to suggest going cold turkey. But I've read so many things I don't know anymore . The purpose of nasal irrigation is to rinse out mucus and any debris from the nasal passageways. The personal touch you gave by describing your own experience helps tremendously with understanding the problem with overuse of nasal decongestants. We'll tell you if it's safe. What is oxymetazoline? I also do the saline nasal rinses, and they help a ton too! Afrin is on the safe list of medications from my doctor, but of course just for short term use. Just like the previous poster said though, you are only supposed to use it for 3-4 days max I believe due to dependency. I, too was dependent on Afrin, and experienced the horrible rebound effects. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The function of the cilia is to move mucus to where it can either be swallowed or blown out. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. According to Duane Gels, MD, an allergist with Annapolis Allergy and Asthma in Maryland, the blood vessels in your nose expand and contract to manage the flow of mucus. When I was a child I had a lot of sinus problems. The amount is small enough that you don't get a strong rebound the next day. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Unfortunately I became addicted to Afrin because of complications with deviated septum.. Pregnancy and allergies, U.S. National Library of Medicine. During the first stage of treatment, it appeared that 39% of the children treated with mometasone furoate had a considerable reduction in symptoms. Using them for longer can cause rebound congestion that might make you feel worse off than before. I think as long as youre not using it all time in large quantities, you'll be fine. Using it was so relievingand so liberating. Nasal decongestant sprays contain such ingredients asoxymetazoline(e.g., Afrin), phenylephrine (e.g., Neo-Synephrine) but many liquid and pill medications also include these ingredients. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. If you actually need nasal relief, my doctor recommended switching to nasacort when I was using afrin every night to breathe. Is afrin safe to use for severe nasal congestion during third trimester of pregnancy? A more intensive nasal evaluation and treatment plan can be made specifically for you since everyone does not need the same approach. Prescription Singulair (montelukast) can also improve nasal congestion.. My OB said that Afrin was safe to use during pregnancy. There is a company called Rhinostat (look up on internet)-- that will sell you a kit that does this very thing for you. help treat runny noses from allergies and other causes. I had severe infections for years before I started using the spray and it does keep me from having infections. Adrenaline released into the blood during a fight or flight response (such as running to evade a predator) attaches to receptors in the nose, widening the passages so we can breathe easier, Dr. Gels explains. If you have more questions about using Afrin during pregnancy or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor. Benzonatate costs $46 without insurance. If congestion is making you miserable even after you try some safe over-the-counter options, talk with your healthcare provider about taking a prescription decongestant medication. Learn Why Putting Vaseline in the Nose Could Really Be Life-Threatening, Why You MUST Immediately Ask for the Credentials of Healthcare Providers, 6 Salty Secrets You Need to Know About Saline Nose Spray, Avoid 7 Undesirable Ear Tube Complications with Routine Checkups, 12 Well-Known Causes of Nasty Nosebleeds in Children, consult your primary care physician to learn about the underlying nasal problem, consider using nasal steroid which are long term anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling, See an ENT surgeon to determine if there is a structural problem like enlarged adenoid, deviated septum, enlarged turbinates or chronic sinus infection (consider having surgery to remove the structural blockage will allow the recurrent swelling to be treated more effectively. Best of luck to you. The researchers looked at the effects of oxymetazoline and mometasone furoate (Nasonex) in children. I have outlined some of the treatment options but it needs to be tailored to her symptoms. https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/phenylephrine/ [Accessed November 2021], MotherToBaby. It was helping me breathe normally but I abused it for almost a year. Anyone have a similar experience? Before discussing Afrin nasal spray addiction, we have to answer: What is Afrin? This can be a difficult problem to address on your own. I never had any issues with allergies or congestion.. but on some night my nose would clog up and I started using a walmart brand of nasal decongestant.. needless to say I got hooked and started to use this product Every Night! Colds and allergy. However I am now weaning off hydrocodone because a major shoulder surgery. I'm using breathe right strips, vicks vapor rub and occasionally benadryl at night to help me sleep. As always, much love for supporting my work. What pattern of use will prevent the rebound symptoms? Activation of alpha adrenergic receptors on the smooth muscle of blood vessels causes vasoconstriction. Afrin may also cause serious side effects. Skip a day, or several days, or a week, or something else??? | What is Nasacort? I can not breathe at all through my nose. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. is it safe for the baby? This severe rebound congestion can only be improved by continuing to use the nasal spray. It is well known that overuse of Afrin nose spray leads to a problem called rebound nasal congestion. But I wouldnt suggest reaching for it first; use all other measures before Afrin., If the problem is allergies, topical nasal steroids (, ) reduce allergic inflammation over a couple days, Dr. Gels says. 1997-2023 BabyCenter, LLC, a Ziff Davis company. Find out the safety precautions with Afrin and what your other options are for treating your allergy symptoms. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. I always recommend avoiding decongestants in kids unless recommended by a physician. Your website is wonderful and full of amazing information for everyone out there, not just mommas. The main ingredient in Afrin, oxymetazoline, can be categorized into two types of drugs: sympathomimetics and vasoconstrictors. The researchers looked at the effects of oxymetazoline and mometasone furoate (Nasonex) in children. When you stop using the spray, that severe nasal congestion can be quite uncomfortable. Does your doc seem concerned?! Looking for relief for a scratchy, dry throat? It hasn't been found to cause birth defects in the limited studies that have been done. Thank you Dr. Momma. In fact, it could be responsible for up to 9% of visits to allergists and ENT doctors. Rebound congestion is increasing nasal congestion as the decongestant nasal spray wears off, causing the patient to use more spray to combat the continued congestion, explains Susan Besser, MD, a primary care provider specializing in family medicine at Mercy Personal Physicians in Baltimore. Sinus and nasal problems are bothersome but not life-threatening, so your doctor may also suggest nondrug ways to relieve your discomfort. And yes, the prescription I have is Rhinocort Aqua and when I spray it into my nose, it helps but only for a very short time, then I'm congested again. There are several types of nasal sprays, including: RELATED: What is Flonase? NAS occurs when heroin passes through the placenta to the fetus during pregnancy, causing the baby to become dependent, along with the mother. Although this effect can cause you to need more of the nasal spray to achieve the same effect. After your symptom flareup has resolved, you should be able to return to the antihistamine without the decongestant. According to research, it can take one to two weeks to recover from congestion caused by Afrin withdrawal, which may be alleviated by taking oral decongestants. Your doctor may first suggest trying these tips to prevent or reduce allergy symptoms. However, like many drugs, Afrin comes with unique considerations during pregnancy and breastfeeding. I have had terrible pregnancy rhinitis this entire pregnancy. Many people have used oral decongestants, perhaps your little blue pill, that work for a while but over the counter decongestant sprays, which include Dristan and Afrin, are the ones that lead to rebound symptoms. I think you are totally fine to use it. Many cold and allergy medications include this type of medication mixed with other types. To understand how nasal spray addiction happens, lets take a quick look at your nasal anatomy. #36. A. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'mamapedia_com-box-4','ezslot_8',638,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-mamapedia_com-box-4-0');I used it a few times one day in my last pregancy. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. Some severe cases need a few days of oral steroids while then beginning a nasal steroid spray. You can also try using a saline nose spray (which doesn't contain medication, but may still help your congestion) or a Neti pot, or taking a steamy shower to relieve congestion. If you are suffering from allergies or an upper respiratory infection, talk to your doctor about decongestant options that wont leave you breathing uneasy. I could not breathe or sniff or blow out either nostril instead of just the one I was mainly dealing with before . Yes it is possible but more likely is that you have not treated the underlying reason for the congestion. A. Hemstreet, et al, eds. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. According to a 2017 study in China, yes, it can. I am currently 33 weeks pregnant and just getting over a terrible case of bronchitis and pink eye, and recently was told now I have a sinus infection. All rights reserved. Additionally, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products containing nicotine (the addictive drug found in tobacco) are not safe to use during pregnancy. 2014. It is harder getting off of it at this time then the hydrocodone because I am claustrophobic and just the littlest bit of not being able to breathe since me in orbit. Im not looking for any recommendations on remedies but just if you have had a similar experience. There are, work by decreasing inflammation to improve symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Exercise. In other words, it becomes a vicious cycle. Humidifiers can provide allergy relief by introducing more moisture into the air and easing irritation and inflammation of the mucous membranes. This should be discussed with your obstetricia Taken in the third trimester, there appears to be no problem. The nose is packed with blood vessels, Dr. Gels says. Most ENT physicians that I know either recommend stopping the Afrin at one time or allowing the patient to slowly wean off the spray over a week. It forces your nostrils open by squeezing the blood out of your nasal tissues. According to Duane Gels, MD, an allergist with. This effect has led to a misperception that Afrin is addictive. I couldn't breathe well at all! Sometimes the Rhinostat option can be combined with other treatment methods but can be helpful for people who have medical reasons to avoid using steroids. Studies show that relapse is very rare. So sorry to hear this but glad you are on the mend. It's best to avoid using nasal decongestants regularly for more than three days. A good rule of thumb might be to avoid taking decongestants if you have any of the following: Remember to keep your physician in the loop when you begin to take any new medications. Oxymetazoline is a medication in nasal sprays (sprayed into nostrils) and topical preparations (applied to skin). My question to you s I have read articles where they say to dilute but I dont know how to do that as Afrin comes in a spray bottle that has no cap to take off to pour out anything. Runny nose. Rebound congestion is a surprisingly common problem that can cause you months or years of agonized breathing. Afrin isnt the only type of nasal spray that can give you relief from cold, flu, and allergy symptoms. As the active ingredient is lessened, so is the rebound. AKA DR. MOMMA Your post will be hidden and deleted by moderators. I'll admit I use it. As cold and flu season begins, you may be interested in using this OTC remedy. There are no studies that show the effects of using Afrin while breastfeeding. Warnings I was panicking and gave in and used it again. But there are many different categories for nose sprays, and many are good and should be used. Vasoconstrictors cause blood vessels to constrict, narrowing their diameter. A. If you feel a message or content violates these standards and would like to request its removal please submit the following information and our moderating team will respond shortly. I have already shared some doctor-approved tips for using Afrin, but lets be honest, many people still use it incorrectly. Kandis Lake is a registered nurse, health writer, and mom of three kids. If you have recurrent nasal congestion, you may need an ENT evaluation to determine if there is a structural problem, possibly combined with mild allergies. Its also used to treat sinus congestion and pressure. Group Leaders arent expected to spend any additional time in the community, and are not held to a set schedule. Common side effects of Afrin include: 4 Nose dryness and irritation Sneezing Dizziness High blood pressure Fast heart rate Heart palpitations Restlessness Trouble falling or staying asleep Serious Reactions to Afrin I had same situation as you, 33 wks prego & sinus infection but couldn't take antibiotic because I'm allergic. I am a pediatric surgeon who successfully raised two daughters. As our position changes from standing to sitting to lying down, the weight of the blood shifts. This keeps your nose from clogging up when you change positions. Many people have heard that nose sprays are bad because they can be addictive, and this can be true. I took your advice and purchased both a nasal saline spray and a glucocorticoid spray that my pharmacist recommended. If you have used Afrin during pregnancy, could you email me and let me know if it was safe for you, and whether your baby had any side effects. According to. Stinging and burning of nasal passage tissues. Well, nasal congestion that returns and doesnt go away is the main symptom of using too much of a decongestant nasal spray. Second-line treatments are used if first-line treatments fail or have side effects that cause problems. i'm really worried! Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. In severe cases, overuse of a decongestant spray can lead to damage and inflammation of the nasal tissue. I did not know if my symptoms were from the nose spray are the hydrocodone come to find out it is from the nose spray. If not, you may consider a trip to your physician to discuss the best allergy treatment for your particular symptoms. I mention it to my doctor at every visit and she doesnt seem alarmed or anything but Im just starting to worry that Im hurting baby. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. The good news? Oxymetazoline is used treat nasal congestion, eye inflammation, [] My doctor said it was ok to use. Could it be that I'm not using it properly? Thanks. Learn how your comment data is processed. , because it doesnt create a physiological dependence on the spray. Im addicted to Afrin (so pathetic I know!) After a few days of use, the nasal spray will relieve your congestion for shorter and shorter periods of time, causing a rebound effect. Use of decongestants during pregnancy and the risk of birth defects. 2021. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. Website services, content, and experienced the horrible rebound effects and this can be true for everyone addicted to afrin while pregnant! 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