How to Use Nasal Sprays Correctly

Nasal sprays are very popular and are firmly occupying their place on the list of things that it’s hard to imagine having a comfortable life without. However, in order to not harm oneself, everyone should know how to use them correctly.

5-Minute Crafts wants to tell you how to use nasal sprays and what mistakes we make while using them.

❗ This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult a doctor if any symptoms appear.

Pressurized canister

There are 2 types of nasal sprays depending on the package: pressurized canisters and pump bottles. And each of them has its own list of instructions to be followed:

When using a pressurized canister:

• Before using the spray, blow and clear your nose.
• Make sure the canister fits snugly in its holder and shake it several times before using.
• Holding your head straight, slowly exhale, and then holding the spray bottle with one hand, insert the tip into the nose, aiming it toward the back of your head. Close the second nostril with the fingers of your other hand and press the bottle as you slowly inhale through your nose.
• Repeat the same actions with the second nostril. Try to not sneeze and to not blow your nose for a little while after using the spray.

Pump bottle

When using a pump bottle:

• Before using the spray, blow and clear your nose.
• Shake the bottle and then check to see if the pump works. You may have to press the pump several times before the spray starts to come out.
• Slightly tilt your head forward and slowly exhale. Hold the bottle with your thumb at the bottom, and use your index and middle fingers to hold it on top. Close the other nostril with the fingers of the other hand. Press the pump as you slowly inhale through your nose.
• Repeat the same actions with the second nostril. Try to not sneeze and to not blow your nose for a while after using the spray.

Things to pay attention to

When using nasal sprays pay attention to the following things:

• Before using the nasal spray, it is always worth taking a deep breath through the nose and making sure that nothing prevents air from entering it. Otherwise, the medicine will be wasted because it won’t go deep enough.
• The tip of the nasal spray should be aimed right at the back of your head, otherwise, the medicine will be sprayed incorrectly and can cause irritation.
• It’s quite easy to check and see whether you have used the spray correctly: if it’s dripping from your nose and down the back of your throat, it means you sprayed it incorrectly.
• If you feel that your nose starts to hurt or if the inside of your nose stings, stop using the spray for 1-2 days.
• When used for a long time, some sprays can harm the inner part of the nose. Also, sometimes using the spray for a long time leads to the fact that the nose stops responding to the spray at all and you will need to use it more often to achieve the same result. In this case, it makes sense to consult a doctor who may recommend that you change your spray.