Good to know
Can I use last year’s nasal spray again?
Nasal spray helps clear your nose when you have a cold, but it also poses risks. You should therefore definitely avoid these mistakes when using it.
A stuffy nose is probably the most annoying side effect of a cold. The nasal mucous membranes are to blame: They produce mucus and sometimes swell so much that you can no longer breathe through your nose. Nasal sprays with active ingredients such as xylometazoline or oxymetazoline provide relief. They have a decongestant effect and cause the blood vessels in the nose to constrict. The sprays can be bought without a prescription in pharmacies and supermarkets – they usually work quickly and reliably, but they also pose risks. These errors in use should therefore be avoided at all costs:
1. Use nasal spray too carelessly and for too long
A decongestant nasal spray is only intended for emergencies, such as when you can’t fall asleep because your nose is stuffy. Under no circumstances should you use the products carelessly or spray them into your nose too often unnecessarily. Decongestants can also have the opposite effect. If they are used too often and too carelessly over a longer period of time, a habituation effect occurs – and the nasal mucosa swells without regular sprays.
Health experts therefore advise not to use the sprays or drops continuously for more than a few days. The nasal spray should be discontinued after a week at the latest. Otherwise there is a risk of habituation.
2. Spray correctly – keep the spray head pressed
From a hygienic point of view, it makes sense to pull the nasal spray completely out of your nose after a spray before spraying again. “Otherwise there is a great risk that germs will be sucked from the nose into the bottle.” The same applies to nasal drops: It is best to always remove the drip pipette from the nostril with the suction cap compressed. This will prevent the remaining solution from becoming contaminated with germs.
3. Forgot to dry off
The Federal Center for Health Education () recommends wiping the nasal spray thoroughly with a clean cloth after use and only then putting on the protective cap.
If you suffer from chronic inflammation of the sinuses, you should be even more meticulous: In this case, clean the spray head of the prescribed nasal spray with hot water after use. Otherwise, there is a risk that you will repeatedly apply the bacteria to the nasal mucous membranes.
4. Use nasal spray from last season
The spray from last winter is definitely still good, right? Not necessarily. For hygiene reasons, it is better to dispose of old sprays. A nasal spray that is at least a year old must be considered potentially contaminated with germs and should therefore no longer be used.
In any case, it’s worth taking a look at the package insert: it tells you how long the spray lasts after opening. If the period has been exceeded, it is better to dispose of the product. A little reminder: write on the packaging when the spray was used for the first time. In this way, nasal sprays that are too old can be quickly identified.
Sources: Federal Center for Health Education () / German Professional Association of Ear, Nose and Throat Doctors ()
The article was updated in December 2024.
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Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
