Infectious disease doctor pointed out the dangers of prolonged use of drops from runny nose

If used for a long time, runny nose drops can cause the so-called naphthisis, Andrei Pozdnyakov, an infectious disease doctor, chief physician of the clinical diagnostic laboratory INVITRO-Siberia, told Izvestia on December 8.

He said that most often runny nose is a consequence of viral or bacterial infection. Also runny nose can be caused by allergies. A runny nose can be seasonal, if the allergy is of this nature, and permanent, if the allergy is to substances related to a person's professional activity - latex, resins - or his living conditions - dust in the house, animal hair, mold fungi.

"The most common mechanism for the development of runny nose is the reaction of blood vessels to various irritants. Under their influence there is hyperactivation of vessels, swelling of the mucous membrane and the release of a large amount of liquid secretion, so it happens when a person uses vasoconstrictors, when there are irritants in the food, when there is a reaction to the cold, etc.". In rare cases, runny nose can be caused by a deviated nasal septum," the expert added.

Speaking about the nasal drops used, he specified that they are different. Thus, there are drops containing sodium chloride, - it is a saline solution that performs a purely mechanical function: it washes the nasal mucosa, mechanically removing microorganisms, decay products, mucus and other. There is a group of drops that are called "vasoconstrictors". Substances that are part of their composition, spasm the vessels, respectively, stops the active sweating of the liquid part of the blood in the nasal passages, and runny nose for a while decreases. There are drops with antibacterial effect, there are drops that restore the nasal mucosa.

"Vasoconstrictive is only part of the drops that are used for runny nose, their main active ingredients are phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline. Vasoconstrictive drops are drops of symptomatic action, used without a doctor's indication, up to seven days maximum", - specified Pozdnyakov.

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According to him, the usual respiratory infection passes within a week, if during this time vasoconstrictor drops do not help, it is a reason to consult a specialist.

"With prolonged use, such drops can cause the so-called naphthisin disease, when a person gets used to the action of drops, that is, the vessels of the nasal mucosa get used to the fact that they are spasmed due to the action of drops, and as soon as this action ends, they over-expand, causing edema of the mucous membrane. Once the action of the drops is discontinued, the person gets such a pronounced symptomatology that it makes them use the drops again," the doctor explained.

People who have been using vasoconstrictors for too long are recommended to gradually reduce the dosage of drops, the use of saline drops as distraction procedures, drops with glucocorticosteroids to reduce hyperacute nasal mucosa, as well as various types of physiotherapy, the specialist added. At the same time, he noted and radical option - surgical intervention.

"Treatment of "naphthisinovaya disease" will be successful provided that there are no problems in the nose that worsen the condition of the vessels of the mucous membrane, it may be polyps, allergic rhinitis, etc. If there is no pathology, the percentage of getting rid of it now, at the current stage of science, is quite high, but in any case it is better not to cause addiction, "- emphasized Pozdnyakov.

At the end of November, Daria Rusanova, a nutritionist, listed products that strengthen the immune system and protect against acute respiratory viral infections. In particular, she included products containing probiotics: kefir, natural yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi - Korean sauerkraut vegetables, miso, kombucha.