Breaking Down Saline Nasal Sprays vs. Decongestants and Using Saline Nasal Sprays for Congestion
If you’ve ever had a blocked nose due to allergies or nighttime nasal congestion when dealing with a cold, you know it can cause quite a bit of discomfort and fatigue. When that happens, you may lean on those over-the-counter decongestants that have seemingly been collecting cobwebs in your medicine cabinet.
But have you ever thought about using a non-medicated saline nasal spray for your congestion?
We’re going to break down some of the fundamental differences between non-medicated saline nasal sprays and decongestants, plus why drug-free saline nasal sprays are a strong option for helping with that stuffy nose. We’ll also give you the lowdown on phenylephrine and explain why it’s an ingredient to look out for and avoid if you tend to rely on OTC decongestants.
Saline Nasal Sprays vs. Decongestants: What’s the Difference?
Non-medicated saline nasal sprays are drug-free solutions used to rinse and moisturize the nasal passages to help loosen dry mucus and relieve congestion. Nasal decongestants provide temporary congestion relief by physically shrinking swollen blood vessels and tissues in the nose.
Whereas drug-free saline nasal sprays can be used regularly or as often as needed, decongestants should be used sparingly and in accordance with the instructions on the package. Similarly, while non-medicated saline nasal sprays are safe for babies and toddlers, nasal decongestants should not be used by children under 12.
One of the reasons people tend to prefer nasal decongestants is that they provide instantaneous temporary relief in a localized area(s) of the nose. However, saline nasal spray’s ability to rinse and moisturize can help break up crusty mucus, making it easier to expel and thereby providing relief for that stuffy nose.
What is the “Rebound Effect”?
The “rebound effect,” when it comes to congestive symptoms, refers to the worsening of those symptoms if you overuse a decongestant nasal spray – resulting in greater inflammation and irritation in the nasal passages.
The cause for the exact physiological workings of the “rebound effect” remains unknown. One such hypothesis involves the fatigue of constrictor mechanisms that help the blood vessels in the nose to shrink and decrease inflammation – with this fatigue then fostering reactive inflammation congestion. Alternatively, overuse of the decongestant spray may suggest that the blood vessels become normalized to the vasoconstriction caused by the decongestant spray, thus prompting them to flare up when the medication wears off.
Rebound congestion is typically limited to nasal decongestant sprays and includes symptoms like itching, sneezing, runny nose, or stuffy nose. These symptoms can last between a week and 10 days, or even longer if you continue using the decongestant nasal spray. Oral decongestants do not usually provoke the “rebound effect,” though overuse of oral decongestants may induce other side effects such as high blood pressure or elevated heart rate.
What is Phenylephrine?
Phenylephrine is an ingredient found in many nasal decongestant sprays and OTC nasal decongestants that works to reduce the swelling of blood vessels for fast, temporary congestion relief. It is sometimes found alone in decongestants or combined with other active ingredients.
However, phenylephrine’s stated benefits as a decongestant have come into question. A recent FDA ruling found that oral decongestants containing phenylephrine are not effective at their recommended dosages. Similarly, nasal decongestant sprays with phenylephrine and oxymetazoline are most commonly associated with risks of rebound congestion.
These factors outline reasons why you might choose to opt for a non-medicated saline nasal spray for congestion rather than oral or nasal spray decongestants. Unlike nasal spray decongestants, you can use non-medicated saline spray with other cold or allergy medications to help address other symptoms. That may be preferable to using an oral decongestant with phenylephrine and ingredients like ibuprofen since phenylephrine’s effectiveness in these OTC medications has come into question.
Ingredients in Saline Nasal Sprays
We mentioned earlier that saline nasal sprays are drug-free. But what’s included in these formulas?
Non-medicated saline nasal sprays are sterile saltwater solutions. Some drug-free saline nasal sprays, like ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™, help loosen mucus when irrigating the nasal and sinus passages with saline nasal spray.
Moreover, some ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ include ingredients like Eucalyptus and Aloe Vera for added soothing and moisturizing benefits. For example, ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Extra Strength, Nighttime Formula with Eucalyptus moisturizes and clears the nasal passages to help clear congestion, so you can breathe easier and sleep better.
Using Saline Nasal Sprays for Any Need
Remember: you can use non-medicated saline nasal sprays for daily congestion or stuffy nose related to allergies or colds. ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Nasal Sprays come in different formulas for targeted relief, including:
- ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Daily Care Instant Relief for Everyday Congestion can help relieve dryness and is safe for use as often as needed.
- ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Allergy & Sinus, Seasonal Congestion has a hypertonic formula that helps to clear congestion from seasonal allergies like pollen, dust, grass, hay fever, and pet dander. It works fast to help relieve nasal blockage and sinus pressure.
- ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Moisturize & Soothe, Instant Relief for Dry Nose moisturizes and soothes nasal passages to help prevent nosebleeds and relieve nose symptoms often associated with environmental factors like low humidity, poor air quality, high altitude, and allergens.
- ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Extra Strength, Severe Congestion helps relieve nasal blockage and other severe congestion without damaging the nasal tissue.
Need a fast-acting drug-free saline nasal spray for your little one? Try ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Kids Nasal Relief or ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Baby Nasal Relief. No matter the cause of that stuffy nose, ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ Nasal Sprays help moisturize the nasal passages for gentle, effective congestion relief, and they’re safe for kids of all ages, including newborns.
From daily nasal rinsing to wound washing, saline sprays have numerous uses. Plus, ARM & HAMMER™ Simply Saline™ are non-habit forming and carry no risk of rebound congestion. So the next time you’re in a pinch and need to clear nasal blockages, consider the benefits of using a non-medicated saline nasal spray vs. decongestants!
*This material is provided solely for informational and educational purposes only. Always seek professional healthcare or medical advice for any health related issues.
