# Inhalants for Nasal Decongestion

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inhalants-for-nasal-decongestion/704470>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 12, 2014, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inhalants-for-nasal-decongestion/704470 "2014-11-12T19:23:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![stanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@stanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stanger)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inhalants-for-nasal-decongestion/704470/1 "2014-11-12T19:23:03Z")

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There are numerous threads on the use of nasal sprays for decongestion, and I am aware of the rebound effects and am not asking about that kind of treatment.

I am talking about a vapor that you inhale through your nose that opens up the passages when your stuffed up. I know some of them use camphor and some use eucalyptus oils and such. These inhalants do not use a medication, but vapors that seem to open up the sinuses when breathed. Sometimes the same thing happens when you eat spicy foods.

I am curious what forms of this treatment have people on here tried, what effectiveness you experienced, and if this type of inhalant has any rebound effects similar to nasal sprays. For what time length are they effective?

I would think this type of treatment could be used as often as needed with no rebound or unpleasant side effects.

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inhalants-for-nasal-decongestion/704470/2 "2014-11-12T21:22:01Z")

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you mean like [levomethamphetamine nasal inhalers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levomethamphetamine)?

It has some untoward side-effects, not surprisingly.

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**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2014, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inhalants-for-nasal-decongestion/704470/3 "2014-11-13T00:09:22Z")

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Lavender oil inhalers used to work wonders for me, but beware: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16314814&postcount=12](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16314814&postcount=12)

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**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inhalants-for-nasal-decongestion/704470/4 "2014-11-13T18:02:59Z")

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I keep a[Vicks VapoInhaler](http://www.vicks.com/products/vapo-family/vapoinhaler-nasal-congestion-relief/) next to my bed for temporary relief but really relief lasts like 3 minutes, if that.

I use a Neti pot nightly before bed, so if my sinuses are still swollen after that lovliness, the little VapoInhaler isn’t really going to help. I keep trying, though 🙂