Illinois’ Favorite Nasal Spray Could Have You Hooked Forever

Illinois' favorite nasal spray might actually be making you more congested than you think.

In the Midwest, we go through so many different seasons and don't have time to really adjust to one season before the next one arrives.  When you catch a cold, your sinuses usually decide to close for winter like a seasonal business.

There's always one nasal spray we reach for to open our nasal passages, and it works in literally seconds.

Have you ever heard of Afrin?  It used to be my best friend.  Emphasis on used to be.

It works way too well.  That's the problem.

Illinois' Favorite Nasal Spray Could Have You Hooked Forever

Afrin is a nasal decongestant used to relieve nasal stuffiness caused by the common cold, sinus infections, hay fever, and allergies.  It basically works by causing the blood vessels in the nose and sinuses to constrict, which means it shrinks all that swollen tissue and lets the air flow again.  And wow, does it work fast.

You can usually use it up to twice daily, and within minutes you can breathe again.  Believe me, that's exactly what happens and it opens your nasal passages for 12 whole hours.  You use it once and suddenly think, "is this how normal people breathe?" and that's when the problem starts.

If you use it longer than recommended, you nose starts to depend on it.  Your sinuses suffer "rebound congestion" where you get super stuffy again the second the spray wears off, which makes you use it more.  Then it gets worse.  You're then trapped in a vicious cycle with nasal spray.

I'm not saying don't use it at all, but take it from me, someone who was dependent on it for a while, and don't overuse it.  It really works, gives you the best relief of your life, and makes your life so much better in the moment.  Just don't become dependent.