Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan, who warned about nasal sprays used especially in winter, said that nasal sprays should not be used outside the time and dose recommended by doctors.

Stating that nasal sprays should not be used outside the time and dose recommended by doctors, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan said, "In cases of long-term use, it may be addictive and affect blood values."

Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan warned about nasal sprays used, especially in winter. Stating that seasonal upper respiratory tract infections, nasal congestion, and discharge increased rapidly, Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan said, "We can think of nasal sprays in two groups as those that are used for a short time and those that need to be used for a long time according to the active substance they contain. The nasal sprays recommended by the doctors should not be used except for the duration and the recommended dose."

"Long-Term Use Can Affect Blood Values"

Stating that there is a tendency to use the sprays that should be used for a short time more frequently and at higher doses, because the effectiveness of the drug decreases with long-term use, Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan said, "In cases of long-term use, it may be addictive and affect blood values." Animal experiments have shown that permanent damage occurs at the end of the eighth week after the onset of damage to the nasal mucosa after the fifth day. In overdose and side effects, sweating, and rapid and irregular heartbeats are observed. Nosebleeds may occur due to dryness in the nasal tissue."

Be Careful with Air Conditioners and Heaters in the Living Environment!

Stating that nasal congestion leads to sinusitis and middle ear inflammation, Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan, "In such cases, nasal sprays can be used for a short time to remove the nasal congestion. However, the heating and air conditioners used in living environments also reduce the humidity of the inhaled air. As a result of the dryness in the nose and the growth of the adenoid as a reaction to this, a feeling of congestion may occur."

Psychological Dependence 

Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan stated that due to the feeling of relief caused by the sprays used during upper respiratory tract infections, some people use the same spray in congestion due to environmental factors after the disease. She added: "This first starts in the form of psychological dependence, then as the duration of use increases, the nasal functions begin to deteriorate due to changes in the intranasal tissues. The patient progressively states that they cannot breathe without using a nasal spray. Nasal sprays, which should be used for a short time, act quickly and eliminate the feeling of congestion in the nose within minutes. It is not recommended more than 3-4 times a day."

It is a Temporary Solution

Emphasizing that the opening of nasal obstructions with the help of spray is a temporary solution, Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan, "Some active ingredient sprays provide contraction of the muscle tissue around the small vessels that carry blood to the nose, reduce nasal blood supply and eliminate swelling in the tissues, allowing our nose to open. However, this is a temporary solution, after about 6 hours, these muscles will relax and the nasal mucosa and concha will swell more and nasal congestion will increase."

"Tissue Damage Occurs with Long-Term Use"

Emphasizing that the use of these sprays should be discontinued in order to eliminate the tissue damage that may occur when the sprays are used for a long time, Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan gave the following information: "If you have diseases such as prostate enlargement, high blood pressure, narrow-angle eye pressure, diabetes, heart disease, hardening of the arteries, thyroid problems, eye pressure, heart disease, you should inform your doctor before using this drug. The use of the drug may not be appropriate for these patients. However, it should not be used in children under two years of age, during pregnancy and lactation."

Caution the Usage Duration!

Stating that nasal sprays, which should be used for a short time, are useful in removing congestion after various diseases, Prof. Dr. Müzeyyen Doğan said, "It is used to facilitate the flow of secretions and to facilitate the examination of the nasal cavity (rhinoscopy) in the diseases of the nasal congestion related to the common cold or another cold that develops in a short time, congestion in the nose without a new catarrh, allergy, inflammation of the middle ear; nasal congestion caused by the inflammation of the sinuses around the nose and the sinuses around the nose or nose. The duration of use is 3-5 days and 3-4 times a day in the form of two-puffs."