"Can I Still Use a Nasal Spray for Rhinitis After It Has Expired?"

Expired nasal allergy medications should generally not be sprayed again. After the expiration of nasal allergy medications, their efficacy may weaken, and the drug components may deteriorate, producing harmful substances. Spraying expired nasal allergy medications may cause nasal discomfort, inflammatory infections, drug poisoning, or even shock, leading to adverse effects on the body. Here are the potential consequences:

1. Nasal Discomfort

After expiration, the efficacy of nasal allergy medications may weaken, and during transportation, sediments can easily form. Excessive inhalation of these drugs may irritate the nasal mucosa, causing congestion and edema, thereby worsening nasal allergies and presenting symptoms such as pain, itching, and even respiratory difficulties.

2. Inflammatory Infections

Expired nasal allergy medications may undergo deterioration of their components, generating harmful substances. When inhaled through the nose, these substances can irritate the nasal mucosa, causing inflammatory infections and exacerbating nasal allergy symptoms.

3. Drug Poisoning

If the nasal allergy medications have been expired for a long time, sediments may form, which can irritate the nasal mucosa, causing local itching, skin redness, and swelling. Additionally, the expired drug components may induce toxic reactions in the body, manifesting as nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.

4. Shock

Ingesting excessive amounts of expired nasal allergy medications that have been expired for a prolonged period can lead to shock, manifesting as decreased blood pressure, arrhythmia, coma, and potentially life-threatening conditions.

Before using nasal allergy medications, it is crucial to check their expiration date and observe any changes in color or odor. If you accidentally use expired nasal allergy medications and experience discomfort, seek immediate medical attention from an otolaryngologist or the emergency department. Comprehensive blood tests, allergen tests, serum IgE antibody tests, and other diagnostic methods will be performed to confirm the diagnosis, and you should actively cooperate with your doctor's treatment plan.