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Suggest Treatment For Severe Head Congestion
Question: I have severe head congestion and have use Afrin for the past few weeks. What an I to do to reduce the congestion without the Afrin.
Brief Answer:
oral antihistamine, oral decongestant, warm compress, steroid spray
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is good that you have stopped the afrin. This contains oxymetazoline. These topical decongestants are only to be used for a few days at at time.
If they are used for longer periods,they can actually cause rebound congestion, meaning that the can significantly worsen congestion if they are used for too long.
If you have been using it consistently for the past few weeks, it is likely contributing to the congestion.
In addition to discontinuing the afrin, treatment would consist of : (1)continuation of the oral anti histamine though the dose can be increased to 50 mg if this is diphenhydramine HCL that you are referring to
(2)oral decongestant instead of topical. You should be find diphenhydramine combined with decongestant.
If you cannot use another anti histamine decongestant combination (would mean discontinuing the diphenhydramine) eg zyrtec d, claritine d, allegra d
(3)warm compresses to the face , 2 to 3 times daily for 10 to 20 minutes
(4)topical steroid nasal sprays such as nasonex, nasocort, flonase, rhinocort. These are different from the decongestant sprays and can be used for a long period of time
(5)medications such as singulair or ketotifen can also be used. These work at different points in the inflammatory/allergic reaction and help decrease congestion
(6)most cases of continued congestion are related to an allergic response. This could be dust, animal dander, food or drink, medication
If you notice that your symptoms are worse after any of these, you should consider avoiding it as much as possible
If it is difficult to tell, then you may need to consider allergy tests. These can be blood tests or skin prick testing
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
oral antihistamine, oral decongestant, warm compress, steroid spray
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is good that you have stopped the afrin. This contains oxymetazoline. These topical decongestants are only to be used for a few days at at time.
If they are used for longer periods,they can actually cause rebound congestion, meaning that the can significantly worsen congestion if they are used for too long.
If you have been using it consistently for the past few weeks, it is likely contributing to the congestion.
In addition to discontinuing the afrin, treatment would consist of : (1)continuation of the oral anti histamine though the dose can be increased to 50 mg if this is diphenhydramine HCL that you are referring to
(2)oral decongestant instead of topical. You should be find diphenhydramine combined with decongestant.
If you cannot use another anti histamine decongestant combination (would mean discontinuing the diphenhydramine) eg zyrtec d, claritine d, allegra d
(3)warm compresses to the face , 2 to 3 times daily for 10 to 20 minutes
(4)topical steroid nasal sprays such as nasonex, nasocort, flonase, rhinocort. These are different from the decongestant sprays and can be used for a long period of time
(5)medications such as singulair or ketotifen can also be used. These work at different points in the inflammatory/allergic reaction and help decrease congestion
(6)most cases of continued congestion are related to an allergic response. This could be dust, animal dander, food or drink, medication
If you notice that your symptoms are worse after any of these, you should consider avoiding it as much as possible
If it is difficult to tell, then you may need to consider allergy tests. These can be blood tests or skin prick testing
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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