Allergy Nasal Congestion in Adults

Home treatment measures for congestion in a person with allergic rhinitis include general measures and medications. Medications include oral decongestants, decongestant nasal sprays and antihistamines.

General Measures

• Blow your nose gently. Forceful blowing can cause pain and bleeding.
• Apply petroleum jelly to the nostrils if the skin becomes dry.
• Drink plenty of liquids.
• Place a vaporizer or nebulizer in the bedroom at night.
• Use saline (saltwater) nose spray, such as Ocean Nasal Mist: saline helps to keep the lining of nasal passages moist. Saline may be used to flush the nasal passages:
• Lie on your back and tilt your head back.
• Apply 2- 4 drops of saline in one on nostril, then wait 1 minute.
• Blow your nose.
• Repeat in the other nostril.

Oral Decongestants
Oral decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), help to thin the mucus responsible for the congestion. Decongestants are safe for adults and adolescents.

Decongestant precautions:

• Decongestants can elevate the blood pressure. Do not use oral decongestants if you have high blood pressure.
• Talk to your doctor before you take oral decongestants if you have:
• Heart disease
• Irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrhythmia
• Glaucoma
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Hyperthyroidism

Decongestant Sprays
Decongestant nasal sprays, such as pseudoephedrine (Afrin) can relieve congestion faster than oral medications.

Examples include:

• Afrin Nasal Spray
• Duration Nasal Spray
• Four-Way Fast Nasal Spray
• Neo-Synephrine Nasal Spray
• Vicks Sinex Nasal Spray

Precautions include:

• Do not use decongestant nasal sprays for longer than 3 days. After three days, the nasal tissues become dependent on the medication. When the medication is stopped, the nasal tissue swells and congestion worsens.

Antihistamines
Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) brompheniramine and chlorpheniramine, dry nasal tissue.

Examples include:

• Allerest
• Sudafed Cold and Allergy Tablets
• Triaminic Syrup
• Dimetapp
• Chlor-Trimeton
• Tavist-D
• Tylenol Allergy Sinus Medication

Antihistamine precautions:

• Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Do not take antihistamines if you plan to drive or operate machinery.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Do not take antihistamines if you take sedatives or medication for depression.
• Do not take antihistamines if you have glaucoma, epilepsy or an enlarged prostate gland.

Last Updated: Nov 10, 2010 References
Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD
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