Do nasal sprays cause rebound congestion?

Rebound congestion, also known as rhinitis medicamentosa, can happen when nasal sprays, especially those containing oxymetazoline, are used for more than a few days. Reference 3 discusses that using oxymetazoline for a week can lead to this problem, making your nose feel stuffy again once you stop using it.

Reference 1 mentions that fluticasone, a different type of nasal spray, can help reverse this rebound effect caused by oxymetazoline. This suggests that while oxymetazoline can cause congestion to come back, there are treatments that might help ease this effect.

Additionally, Reference 2 notes that some nasal sprays include benzalkonium chloride, which can also cause issues in the nose. It's important to use nasal sprays as directed and talk to a healthcare provider if you have concerns about congestion or how to use these sprays safely.