Sprays for the common cold do not cure the disease, but only mask the problem, making breathing easier. Their uncontrolled use can cause persistent breathing problems. Therapist Andrei Kondrakhin told Moscow 24 about this.
The purpose of the spray for nasal congestion is to narrow the blood vessels and make it possible to breathe, the doctor explained. Frequent vasoconstriction can lead to mucosal atrophy.
“Atrophic mucosa is one that lacks moisture. As a result, the barrier function and air purification are disrupted. The antimicrobial properties disappear,” the doctor warned.
Restoring the mucous membrane is a difficult process, so if a person notices that he cannot breathe without the use of vasoconstrictor sprays, it is important to immediately consult a doctor.
Before this, the doctor warned that alcohol solutions for gargling are ineffective and can lead to burns of the mucous membrane. The safest and most effective rinse is a salt solution, the otolaryngologist noted.
