Wondering what happens if nasal spray goes down your throat? Don’t worry; it is less concerning than you’d think.
As a medication often prescribed for allergies and nasal passage irritation, it can bring plenty of relief when used correctly.
This guide will dive into what happens if you get nasal spray down your throat and the other common side effects of this medication.
What Are the Side Effects of Using Nasal Spray?
Nasal spray comes in many forms, whether a spray bottle, pump bottle, or pressurized canister.
In most instances, regardless of the administration method, the side effects are relatively the same.
As with any medication, always consult your doctor to understand the specific side effects of your prescribed medicine.
That said, you could experience several side effects if you’re prescribed a nasal spray. These include:
- Stings inside the nasal cavity
- Nasal cavity dryness
- Sneezing
- Burning or stinging sensation in the nasal cavity
- Runny nose
- Headaches
- Increase risk of nosebleeds
You might experience these symptoms in the most severe instances. If these side effects are recurring, it’s essential to call your healthcare provider.
Some less common symptoms to keep an eye out for include:
- Shortness of breath
- Vision changes
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Dizziness
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
What Happens If Nasal Spray Goes Down Your Throat?
If you were ever prescribed nasal spray as a kid, it was common for parents to recommend tilting your head back.
However, this could exacerbate the presence of irritation in the nasal cavity and throat, as the medicine will travel the wrong way through your respiratory tract.
It’s also important to note that improper administration could reduce the efficacy of nasal spray medicines.
Let’s look at a few common things you could experience if nasal spray is misused and travels down your throat.
Throat Irritation
The most common issue with nasal spray traveling down your throat is irritation.
Remember that these medicines are designed to stay in your nasal passages.
If they travel elsewhere, the medicine could cause some irritation, particularly in the sensitive tissues of your throat.
It often occurs if you tilt your head back while administering the dose.
If you notice throat irritation, you can try tilting your head forward while using the nasal spray to prevent post-nasal drip.
Poor-Tasting Saliva
Another uncomfortable sensation from nasal spray heading down your nose is poor-tasting saliva.
This occurs because the medicine is making its way into your throat, mixing with the mucus you’ll be swallowing.
Often, you’ll find your saliva may have a sharp chemical taste that won’t go away until the medicine has been absorbed or swallowed.
In these instances, drinking a flavorful beverage can be quite helpful in reducing the taste of a nasal drip.
For children, consider administering the nasal spray and a glass of orange juice to help counteract unappealing tastes.
How To Use Nasal Spray Correctly
Although nasal spray going down your throat isn’t the end of the world, it can be a very uncomfortable feeling.
With the help of these steps, you can help boost the efficacy of your medication, ensuring it gets to the right spot for healing.
Step 1: Blow Your Nose
The first step to using nasal spray correctly is to make sure you blow your nose.
Doing so helps eliminate any traces of mucus that could prevent the medicine from safely making it through your respiratory tract.
You can also prepare your medicine during this step by shaking the bottle and removing the cap.
Step 2: Prime the Bottle
Depending on the type of nasal spray you have, you’ll likely need to prime the bottle.
This helps ensure the medicine is ready to be delivered and you get the correct dose when using the spray mechanism.
Tilting the spray nozzle away from your face, shake and gently squeeze the bottle until a fine mist emerges.
If it’s a new bottle, you may have to pump the spray several times to engage the medicine.
Step 3: Positioning Your Head Properly
This step is the most important part of the process, as an improperly positioned head can lead to nasal drippage.
You’ll want to keep your back upright while tilting your head slightly forward over a sink or a towel.
Be sure not to bend over entirely, as this will immediately make the medicine fall out of your nostrils.
Step 4: Insert the Spray Nozzle
Next, take the nasal spray in your hand. It’s easiest if you put your thumb under the bottle and hold the top of the bottle with your middle and index fingers.
Slowly insert the spray bottle’s tip into one nostril, using your other hand to block the opposite nostril.
Step 5: Administer the Medicine
Breathe out slowly and squeeze the spray bottle while breathing in slowly.
Another massive tip is to ensure you don’t inhale sharply, which can lead to nasal drip and throat irritation.
Step 6: Repeat the Steps
For your next nostril, you’ll want to repeat Steps 1 through 4, breathing slowly the entire time.
Step 7: Let the Medicine Rest
With both nostrils sufficiently medicated, try to stop yourself from blowing your nose after using the spray.
You’ll also want to keep your head upright, but avoid leaning back if there’s drippage.
Gently pat your nose with a soft tissue to catch any excess medication or mucus slipping out.
Step 8: Disinfect the Bottle
As with any other drug administration tool, you must disinfect it after use.
You can use tissue with warm water or an alcohol pad to get rid of bacteria. This helps ensure the medicine is clean and safe for your next round.
Other Tips for Using Nasal Spray
Let’s look at a few other considerations to be mindful of when using a nasal spray.
Proper Storage
Keeping your nasal spray in the perfect spot between uses is essential for boosting efficiency and keeping the medicine safe.
With nasal sprays, it’s best to keep them at room temperature (unless directed otherwise) and out of direct sunlight.
This is where a medicine cabinet can be helpful, as it protects your medicine until it’s needed.
Expiration Dates
Reaching for an old medicine bottle can be tempting if you’re dealing with congestion.
However, expiration dates are necessary for medicines to protect your health and safety. Always double-check the date on your nasal sprays before use.
Always Clear Your Nostrils
Before administering your nasal spray, always take the time to clean both of your nostrils.
The more mucus you can get rid of, the deeper the spray can travel to help alleviate discomfort.
If the medicine doesn’t reach deep enough, it won’t work.
Does Nasal Spray in Your Throat Cause Damage?
Asking what happens if nasal spray goes down your throat has a relatively simple explanation.
It can cause some slight irritation and reduce the effectiveness of your medications.
Following the tips mentioned in this guide, you can easily administer your medicine without uncomfortable nasal drippage.