I HAVE BEEN USING NASAL SPRAYS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP. AT PRESENT BOTH NOSTRALS BLEED FREQUENTLY AND ARE VERY SORE. IF I STOP USING THE SPRAY MY NOSE GETS SO STUFFED UP THAT I CAN NOT BREATHE. I HAVE TRIED NAZACORT AS PRESCRIBED BY MY MEDICAL MD AND HAVE HAD NO LUCK WITH CLEARING MY NASAL PASSAGES. IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE?
Reply: -----------------------------
You most likely have a condition known as rhinitis medicamentosa. With continued use of topical vasoconstrictor sprays such as oxymetazoline (Afrin) or neo-synephrine you risk causing permanent damage to the tissue inside your nose such as a nasal septal perforation. I would recommend consultation with an otolaryngologist for help with this problem. There are a number of different approaches, the goal of which is to eliminate the dependency on over-the-counter vasoconstrictor sprays while also relieving the nasal airway obstruction.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
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