Quick question about nasal sprays

babynurselsa, RN · Oct 28, 2008

ummm inside?

mondkmondk · Oct 28, 2008

No, no...I mean when the tip is inside their nose, do you aim it towards the inner nose or the outer nose. I always just squirted it up there but a doctor I was talking to was trying to show me how and I forgot what she said...something about aiming straight up and slightly towards the middle for sinus stuff and then aiming it some other direction for something else.

Just wondered if anyone knew...

Blessings, Michelle

Thornbird · Oct 28, 2008

You want to aim it so that it is going into the sinus which is to the inner side on most people. If you aren't careful about getting the tip so that it is in the actual nasal passage or close to it, the medicine ends up in the nostril and then dripping out. When working with patients who are able, I let them do it themselves while I watch or they aim it and then I squeeze.

Mabel 29 · Oct 28, 2008

I had a MD prescribe nasal spray to me one time and he said to aim out and away from the septum, because the sprays can dry out the septum and cause damage. I have read cases of holes in the septum from overuse of decongestant nasal sprays.

Thornbird · Oct 28, 2008

True, you aim it away from the septum once you have it in the passageway. If you just place the tip in the nostril and aim out, it stays in the nostril and doesn't make it to the sinus. The cases where people have damaged the spetum with nasal sprays are usually with OTC sprays which people often overuse, although it can happen if people misuse prescription spays as well. The once or twice daily dosing of most prescription nasal sprays won't cause damage. You must also be careful with the Miacalcin and similar sprays as these can also damage the septum. The saline sprays like Ocean are safe.

scribblerpnp · Oct 28, 2008

WIth flonase and nasonex, the instruction packet actually states for the pt to lean forward with the head bent downward and to point the tip of the nasal spray bottle towards the ear