# Warning to all re Nasal Sprays **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 27, 2013, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316 "2013-12-27T22:15:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Whistling\_Kate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce73a5/32.png) [@Whistling\_Kate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whistling_Kate)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2015, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/81 "2015-04-18T00:34:45Z")
You know - if you don’t have anything positive or helpful to say, maybe go be nasty somewhere else. As for neti pots - the danger in using them comes from (1) Not using sterilized water and (2) Not cleaning the pot thoroughly. Otherwise, nasal flushing can be helpful and I have used a neti pot in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Whistling\_Kate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce73a5/32.png) [@Whistling\_Kate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whistling_Kate)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/82 "2015-04-18T00:37:43Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Users using over the counter medication responsibly. > > Alcohol abuse and addiction is a much bigger problem than nasal spray addiction. Do you also propose that alcohol be banned or dispensed with a prescription? Personally, I would love to see alcohol banned and marijuana legalized. Alcohol overuse and abuse has caused so much damage to families and society. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2015, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/83 "2015-04-18T00:45:19Z")
> [@Whistling\_Kate](#): > > Personally, I would love to see alcohol banned and marijuana legalized. Alcohol overuse and abuse has caused so much damage to families and society. We tried that before – it didn’t work out all that well. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2015, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/84 "2015-04-18T01:39:12Z")
> [@Whistling\_Kate](#): > > I stopped right away when I discovered the hole… oh, good! > [@](#): > > and have only used it maybe 3-4 times in the past 6-8 weeks. Then you haven’t stopped. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/85 "2015-04-18T02:53:52Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > Then you haven’t stopped. Careful, she’s litigious. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2015, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/86 "2015-04-18T13:37:05Z")
> [@Whistling\_Kate](#): > > Here’s my nasal spray nightmare. A few years ago, my nose started getting really stuffy so I began using nasal spray made with Oxymetazoline. And, sure enough, I had to use more and more to get relief. > > About two months ago, I started hearing a kind of whistling when I would inhale or exhale. I looked up what could be causing it and, sure enough, I have a perforation in my nasal septum. Not only did the spray cause that but it also, I feel, has messed with my sense of smell and taste. > > I think this type of nasal spray should be taken off the shelf. I’m not litigious person but if ever a class action lawsuit is formed, I will join it. > > By the way, I have, for the most part, stopped using the spray. It’s hard not to turn to it because I am still stuffed up but I don’t want to make the perforation any bigger. I don’t want my nose to collapse. I’m curious how you know that the perforated septum was the result of the nasal spray? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/87 "2015-04-18T14:59:06Z")
> [@Whistling\_Kate](#): > > Here’s my nasal spray nightmare. A few years ago, my nose started getting really stuffy so I began using nasal spray made with Oxymetazoline. And, sure enough, I had to use more and more to get relief. OK, when you bought the nasal spray did you bother to read the box it came in? The back of the bottle? It states VERY CLEARLY you are not to use it more than 3 days. Yet you admit you continued to do so. So… you’re blaming a product for harming you when you did not follow instructions? It’s like blaming Ford Motor Company because you got a speeding ticket. Did it occur to you that if your condition did not get better after three days you should have gone to a _doctor_ rather than continue dosing yourself, especially since the medication came with instructions not to use it longer than three days? > [@](#): > > About two months ago, I started hearing a kind of whistling when I would inhale or exhale. I looked up what could be causing it and, sure enough, I have a perforation in my nasal septum. Not only did the spray cause that but it also, I feel, has messed with my sense of smell and taste. Did you decide on your own that the spray caused a perforation? Could it have been related to what caused your “stuffiness” in the first place rather than the spray? This is not being mean, this is the sort of questions a lawyer will ask if you go to court. Given one of the subsequent quotes, you might want to consider your answer. > [@](#): > > I think this type of nasal spray should be taken off the shelf. I think people should follow medication instructions. Which you admit you did not. > [@](#): > > I’m not litigious person but if ever a class action lawsuit is formed, I will join it. If you’re considering joining a suit you’re litigious. There’s nothing _wrong_ with suing someone who has done you harm, but it sounds to me like you contributed to your own problem here by failing to follow instructions properly. > [@Guinastasia](#): > > Aren’t neti pots dangerous, actually? I’ve heard they can harbor bacteria. The biggest danger is a type of amoeba that is more commonly found in the southern part of the US, but even there is very rare. On the other hand, it’s also very deadly as it literally eats your brain. Easily avoided by using only sterile/distilled/water boiled for at least three minutes. Also, always a good idea to clean up your neti pot after using it. A _properly used_ neti pot is not dangerous. Like a lot of other things, you need to follow the instructions. > [@Whistling\_Kate](#): > > I do have a competent ENT, thank you very much and at this time, I am not planning to have surgery. And, my concern isn’t about becoming dependent. I stopped right away when I discovered the hole and have only used it maybe 3-4 times in the past 6-8 weeks. My concern is that there is no mention on the warning label of the physical DAMAGE that can occur. Why the frick are you still using this? You need to QUIT, not “cut back”. You’ve clearly demonstrated you have trouble following directions in regards to medications, you’ve been addicted to it, you have a deviated septum and maybe something else going on… unless your _doctor_ has given you instructions to continue using this (and you are capable of following those instructions) you need to stop using oxymetazoline COMPLETELY. > [@Whistling\_Kate](#): > > Personally, I would love to see alcohol banned and marijuana legalized. Alcohol overuse and abuse has caused so much damage to families and society. We tried banning alcohol. It turned out it caused more problems than it solved. Sorry, not a perfect world. ---
**Author:** ![Whistling\_Kate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce73a5/32.png) [@Whistling\_Kate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whistling_Kate)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/88 "2015-04-19T20:41:16Z")
> [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > oh, good! > > Then you haven’t stopped. My ENT said once a week or less is fine. I guess, for you super-literal types, I should have I immediately cut down to using it maybe once a week or less. Your screen name fits you well, by the way. ---
**Author:** ![Whistling\_Kate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce73a5/32.png) [@Whistling\_Kate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whistling_Kate)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2015, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/89 "2015-04-19T20:47:30Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > O > > You need to QUIT, not “cut back”. You’ve clearly demonstrated you have trouble following directions in regards to medications, you’ve been addicted to it, you have a deviated septum and maybe something else going on… unless your _doctor_ has given you instructions to continue using this (and you are capable of following those instructions) you need to stop using oxymetazoline COMPLETELY. > We tried banning alcohol. It turned out it caused more problems than it solved. Sorry, not a perfect world. There is a difference between addiction and dependency. I was dependent, not addicted. As I have previously stated, my ENT said once a week or less is OK - and the few times I have used it is so that I can sleep. I can’t use things like breathe right strips because I am sensitive to the adhesive and it causes a rash. And, I don’t have a deviated septum - I have a perforated septum - big difference. Good grief, I never would have posted here if I had known people would be so judgmental. But I’m happy that you all are so healthy and perfect. BTW, the alcohol comment was really just sarcasm as I know banning it would never happen. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/90 "2015-04-19T23:20:06Z")
Correlation is not causation. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/91 "2015-04-20T03:54:25Z")
> [@Whistling\_Kate](#): > > As I have previously stated, my ENT said once a week or less is OK - and the few times I have used it is so that I can sleep. If your doc says it’s OK then I’ll go with that, given he is the professional and has seen you in real life. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/92 "2015-04-20T05:51:01Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Up next: _Warning to all re Don’t Pick Up Your Running Lawn Mower With Your Hands_ > [@Guinastasia](#): > > If only you had posted this sooner. ☹ If only you had posted this in braille!!! ☹ Now I can’t read a DAMN thing. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/93 "2015-04-20T15:11:59Z")
I guess I’ve been living with my head in the sand because I never heard anything about nasal sprays being so addictive. I do use them as a treatment of last resort when congestion gets so bad my eyeballs feel like they are going to pop out of my head if I don’t do something. But I’ve never used them more than twice each headcold episode. Thanks for the information. I’ll make certain to keep close track of my usage in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/94 "2015-04-20T15:58:36Z")
> [@Whistling\_Kate](#): > > There is a difference between addiction and dependency. I was dependent, not addicted. As I have previously stated, my ENT said once a week or less is OK - and the few times I have used it is so that I can sleep. I can’t use things like breathe right strips because I am sensitive to the adhesive and it causes a rash. And, I don’t have a deviated septum - I have a perforated septum - big difference. Good grief, I never would have posted here if I had known people would be so judgmental. But I’m happy that you all are so healthy and perfect. > > BTW, the alcohol comment was really just sarcasm as I know banning it would never happen. I might have missed it, but I don’t see where you explained how you know that the perforated septum was caused by the nasal spray. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/95 "2015-04-20T17:00:17Z")
> [@Canadjun](#): > > I might have missed it, but I don’t see where you explained how you know that the perforated septum was caused by the nasal spray. She pushed the tip in a bit to hard? ---
**Author:** ![Whistling\_Kate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ce73a5/32.png) [@Whistling\_Kate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whistling_Kate)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2015, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/96 "2015-04-20T22:53:06Z")
> [@Canadjun](#): > > I might have missed it, but I don’t see where you explained how you know that the perforated septum was caused by the nasal spray. My ENT said that the perforation was caused by the nasal spray. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/97 "2015-04-21T00:28:06Z")
> [@Whistling\_Kate](#): > > My ENT said that the perforation was caused by the nasal spray. sorry- without more details - I call bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/98 "2015-04-21T00:46:29Z")
Long term use of nasal decongestants is, in fact, one of the recognized causes of perforated nasal septum. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/99 "2015-04-21T00:48:23Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Long term use of nasal decongestants is, in fact, one of the recognized causes of perforated nasal septum. Do you have a cite for that? I’d like to “see it” for myself. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2015, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316/100 "2015-04-21T01:04:54Z")
There are a lot of cites in medical literature; this one isn’t behind a pay wall – [Medscape](http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/863325-clinical). (I’m going to ask the docs at work if they know the % breakdown of septum perforation causes or how I can find out, because now I’m just curious…) Nasal spray overuse is a less embarrassing cause than “nose picking”, but has less of an aura of cool-rocker-chick/wealthy socialite than “cocaine use”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warning-to-all-re-nasal-sprays/677316.md?page=6)