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Suggest Remedies For Nasal Congestion That Failed To Get Treated With Claritin, Benadryl, And Tylenol

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Posted on Wed, 10 Oct 2018
Question: I have an an extremely stuffy nose for weeks. My nose is bleeding when I blow it . I have tried claritin, benadril, and Tylenol to help remedy this with no luck. Nasal spay is working but when wears off it has not solved the problem and this is not getting better.
Thenks XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Stop the nasal spray.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

The problem may be the nasal spray. Nasal sprays like Afrin that have decongestants in them are only supposed to be used for 3 days maximum. If you use it longer than that you end up with a rebound congestion that in some cases is worse than the original congestion. Antihistamines may make the issue worse by drying out the membranes.

Try stopping the nasal sprays and use only nasal saline (with no decongestant). If you can't get off the nasal spray yourself, then you may need to see a doctor to help you devise a plan to do this. ENT doctors deal with this type of rebound congestion from decongestant sprays frequently. In severe cases it can take up to a year to taper someone of these types of sprays.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (17 minutes later)
I am using saline spray. And it did not have a decongestant. Worked very little. I have only used afrin for a couple of days. Will stop . but nothing else is working. Not even the XXXXXXX pod.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Nasal steroid may help.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I am so glad to hear that you have not been using a nasal decongestant long term.You may just have some persistent congestion after a upper respiratory infection. In that case I would continue with the XXXXXXX pot and easel XXXXXXX and I had a nasal steroid like Flonase for a few weeks.

Flonase is available over the counter. The maximum I would use would be two sprays in each nostril twice a day In addition, taking an oral anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen might help relieve some of the congestion. I hope you are feeling better soon. Please see a doctor if this is not resolving within another week or so.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Kathy Robinson,
General & Family Physician
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

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Suggest Remedies For Nasal Congestion That Failed To Get Treated With Claritin, Benadryl, And Tylenol

Brief Answer: Stop the nasal spray. Detailed Answer: Hello, The problem may be the nasal spray. Nasal sprays like Afrin that have decongestants in them are only supposed to be used for 3 days maximum. If you use it longer than that you end up with a rebound congestion that in some cases is worse than the original congestion. Antihistamines may make the issue worse by drying out the membranes. Try stopping the nasal sprays and use only nasal saline (with no decongestant). If you can't get off the nasal spray yourself, then you may need to see a doctor to help you devise a plan to do this. ENT doctors deal with this type of rebound congestion from decongestant sprays frequently. In severe cases it can take up to a year to taper someone of these types of sprays. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.