Decongestants

When a cold or flu is causing your headache, it can be caused by swollen sinuses.

That means a decongestant could help to relieve headaches and facial pain by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels in your sinuses.

If that doesn’t help to relieve your headache, you could try a painkiller like paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin if they’re suitable for you.

A decongestant clears up congestion, helping you to breathe easier.

Congestion is caused when the blood vessels in your nose dilate, causing inflammation and discomfort.

Decongestant treatments help to narrow these blood vessels, and with the swelling reduced, it allows more air to pass through and the mucus to drain, providing relief for cold and flu symptoms.

Decongestants are typically safe to use during pregnancy as they don’t contain enough medicine to harm the baby.

However, nasal decongestants tend to be safer as the product is absorbed within the nose and does not spread to the rest of the body.

The short-term use of a decongestant should be fine but always speak to your doctor or pharmacist beforehand to ensure that it’s safe for you and your baby.

Antihistamines block the chemical histamine, which is released by your child’s immune system when they have an allergic reaction.

Decongestants offer quick relief for nasal and sinus congestion and come in many forms, such as balms, sprays.

You can also get nasal sprays for children, with and without a steroid.

They fight the allergy at the source, rather than having to travel through the body, making it more effective for fast allergy relief.