Decongestants

Decongestants can be taken orally or can be sprayed directly into the nose. In either form, they are able to reduce nasal stuffiness by reducing blood flow in the lining of the nose. They cause narrowing of the blood vessels in the nose and thereby reduce the swelling of the nasal lining, which makes the nose less stuffy. Decongestants may also make it easier for other medications to be sprayed into the nose.

Decongestants do not affect allergic symptoms other than nasal stuffiness. They will have no effect on sneezing or itchy, runny noses.