Individuals experiencing blocked noses are being advised to limit the use of nasal decongestant sprays to a maximum of seven days, as prolonged use risks worsening symptoms.
A recent poll underscores this concern, finding that almost six in 10 pharmacists report patients are unaware of the dangers of extended use.
While offering short-term relief for colds, allergies, and sinusitis, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) warns that using sprays beyond a week can cause ‘rebound congestion’.
This preventable condition, also known as rhinitis medicamentosa, causes symptoms to worsen, with patients becoming dependent on sprays to breathe more easily.
An RPS survey of 300 pharmacists found 59% think the public is not aware of this risk, while almost three-quarters (74%) said packaging should be clearer about the seven-day limit.
Almost two-thirds (63%) said they had intervened in cases of suspected overuse.
Professor Amira Guirguis, chief scientist at the RPS, said: “Nasal decongestant sprays can be helpful for short-term relief, but using them for longer than seven days can make your congestion significantly worse.
“Our research shows that many people are unaware of this risk, which means they may continue using these sprays without realising they could be prolonging their symptoms.
“We’d like to see clearer warnings on the packaging which you can’t miss and greater awareness of the seven-day limit. If your congestion lasts more than a week, speak to your pharmacist. There are safe and effective alternative options to help you manage your symptoms.”
The RPS urged patients to always follow the instructions on the packaging of nasal sprays and to seek advice from pharmacists if congestion continues after seven days.
The warning comes after Christmas and new year gatherings caused a “bounce back” in winter viruses, with the number of people in hospital with flu up slightly, according to NHS England.
People in hospital beds with flu in England averaged 2,924 each day during the week ending January 4, up 9% from 2,676 the previous week.
The figure had previously been on a downwards trend, after reaching 3,140 in the week ending December 14.
The latest round of NHS data also shows there has been a sharp increase in the proportion of patients experiencing long waits in ambulances outside hospitals in England before being handed over to A&E teams.
Some 33% of patients arriving by ambulance at hospitals last week waited at least 30 minutes to be handed over.
This is up from 18% the previous week and is the highest figure so far this winter.
The week did include New Year’s Eve, which is one of the busiest nights of the year for ambulance crews.