How does nasal spray work? Which nasal spray is best for you?

Latest update: December 19, 2022 – By means of Jenny | Reading time approx. 3 minutes

After the summer it is always a matter of time before the first runny noses appear again. To get rid of this quickly, we all quickly grab the nearest bottle of nasal spray. But how exactly does this treatment method work? In this article you can read about the different types of nasal sprays and what you should pay attention to.

What exactly are you suffering from?

Everyone sometimes suffers from a simple cold, although fortunately for most people it is over after a few days. Still, it’s pretty annoying to walk around with the symptoms of a cold for a week. Moreover, you would rather not light your family, friends or colleagues.

A cold is the effect of a virus that causes inflammation in the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and sinuses. With such an inflammation, the mucous membranes swell and produce more mucus than normal. To prevent this you can use nasal spray, you can buy nasal spray at the Kruidvat.

Xylometazoline, oxymetazoline and tramazoline

The types of nasal sprays containing the agents xylometazoline, oxymetazoline or tramazoline ensure that the swelling of the mucous membranes decreases. These agents almost immediately reduce excess mucus and work excellently against a blocked nose.

However, use these types of sprays in moderation: excessive use (longer than 7 days) can damage your nasal mucosa. Despite the good effect, it is wise to stop using these types of nasal sprays in that case, because your nasal mucous membranes can become dependent on them. It is not recommended to use this type of nasal spray for children under 6 years of age.

Saline nasal spray

Other nasal sprays that you often see are variants with a saline solution. These have a different effect than the above sprays. A nasal spray with a saline solution does not counteract the swelling of the mucous membrane, but dilutes the excess mucus.

These nasal sprays have virtually no effect on the protective function of the nasal mucosa and can therefore be used for longer. Nasal sprays with saline are therefore also suitable for small children.

A stuffy nose due to allergies

The swelling of the mucous membranes can also occur due to an allergic reaction, for example due to a reaction to house dust mites, cats or hay fever. Special nasal sprays can also be found for this. These nasal sprays often contain an agent that can ensure that your body no longer produces the substance that causes the allergic reaction. Always take a good look at the package leaflet, because not every spray is always suitable for you.

Nasal spray is an easy and effective way to quickly reduce the symptoms of a cold. Check which type of nasal spray you find most comfortable to work with and make sure you are aware of the different effects.

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Jenny

Together with Vanessa I am the owner of this website Good food Healthy living. I myself struggled with my health and weight for a while and I was looking for more information. Actually, this website started as a great search for what could be right for me. How could I feel healthier and fitter? I’ve been reading a lot about this. Vanessa already knew a lot about nutrition and often told me about it. We thought it was fun to share, that’s why we started this blog. This website is our passion. All information is supplementary, not a replacement for regular medicine!