Question about using Afrin

[DESIGNERDIVER]

Hi everyone,
I have read in a few post that people use afrin but are advised not to use it for a long period of time. why? and define long period whats considered too long? I use nasonex which was prescibed by my dr for my allergies. is this similair? can i use that before a dive safely?
thanks for all your help!!

 

[dk2943]

I was having serious problems clearing my ears. I went to DAN and they recommended a diving friendly ENT doctor in my area. He told me there was nothing wrong but that I should use Afrin a day or so before I dive. He warned me not to use it regularly as humans quickly develop a tolerance and then it no longer works. I have always had nasal issues and the Afrin clears them right up when I use it. I love the stuff but only use it when I dive and it has never been a problem

 

[texdiveguy]

I use Afrin on the day of the dive to assist in ear clearing....works great.

 

[Nemrod]

I have used it on ocassion with no issues. If you are a dive professional and dive every day then it could be a problem but for most people who dive at most a few times a month or a short vacation I cannot imagine you would have a serious problem. N

 

[Jayde323]

I always have a stuffy nose...just a way of life for me. I take Flonase twice a day and it helps with the allergies, but not the congestion. I tried Afrin before diving, but started getting minor nosebleeds. I never took the Afrin and Flonase on the same day. I tried Flonase and Zyrtec and it worked great...above water. When diving, the combo gave me vertigo on the safety stop. I dropped the Zyrtec (after a call to DAN) and never had a problem with vertigo since. Now, the night and morning before I dive I use a saline spray. I like Nasal Comfort by Zicam since it has metered doses like Flonase. Since it is just saline, I can use it as often as I need I am not putting more drugs into my system that can cause an issue with diving. Call DAN (you don't need to be a member) and ask them if there is an ENT specialist that is familiar with diving in your area.

 

[grayeagle]

if i fell a little congested i'll tske a couple of scuba-feds. (suda-fed)

 

[cdreamer]

Afrin works but continued use can be habit forming. It's called the "rebound affect".
If you use it too often, you will need to use it because every 12 hours you will become
stuffy again.

 

[KazooDiver]

With some folks the rebound effect of afrin can be quite sever and actually make the original problem worse.

I have nasal allergies and use to take claritin/zyrtec and nasonex. But after switching to using a Nasal irrigation system...a Neti Pot or Neil Med Sinus Rinse, I was able to stop taking all that medication. If I know I am going to be exposed to alot of allergens then I take a clartin.

The Neil Med Sinus Rinse is available at alot of pharmacys and only uses salt water. No medications...so no interference with diving. Do a search here for this and you will see alot of folks use this system.

 

[scuba&golf]

I agree with using NeilMed. I have congestioin most days, so started using the nasal rinse twice a day, every day, and have not had any problems. This is great stuff--try it and see how it works for you.

 

[HBO MD]

"Rhinitis Medica Mentosum" is the term for the development of intolerance to the spray and a rebound high output rhinitis. Long term may be as "short term" as a week , but usually implies using it frequently ; more than 4 times per day. It is not clearly predictable however and varies with each patient. With the current formulations, I would suggest not more than twice per day for not more than a week.