Nasal Care

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.

Congestion is usually worse at night as it’s harder for your body to drain the mucus, which may pool in the head resulting in a sinus headache when you awake in the morning.

Use a humidifier to add moisture to your dry nose, helping to ease the discomfort.

Using a saline rinse or spray can help to clear your sinuses and enable you to breathe better.

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.

Before you start, wash your hands to avoid contaminating the area, then shake the bottle if needed.

You’ll want to close off the nostril that doesn’t need treatment by pressing down.

Gently insert the nose of the bottle into the nostril that needs treatment and take a deep breath through the nose as you gently squeeze the bottle.

Remove the bottle, sniff, and repeat if necessary, but wait at least 10 seconds between sprays.