Blow your nose first, keep your head upright (never tilted back), and aim the nozzle toward the OUTER wall of the nostril - away from the septum, the middle wall.
Spraying the septum is the common failure: wrong surface, stinging, nosebleeds. Inhale slowly through the nose as you spray - a gentle sniff, not a snort, or the medicine runs down your throat. Do not blow your nose or sneeze for a few minutes after. With steroid sprays, daily use through the season builds the effect; rescue spraying does not. Repeated nosebleeds, or no help after a couple of correct weeks, deserve a pharmacist or doctor. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can talk you through it.
What to do
Common questions
How do you use a nasal spray correctly?
Technique decides whether a nasal spray works - most failures are aim failures. The steps from MedlinePlus: wash your hands; gently blow your nose to clear the passage; shake the bottle; keep your head UPRIGHT - do not tilt it back; and here is the key move - insert the nozzle and aim it toward the OUTER wall of the nostril, away from the middle wall (the septum). Spraying the septum is the common mistake: it wastes the dose on the wrong surface and can cause stinging and nosebleeds. Then breathe in slowly through your nose as you press the spray - a gentle sniff, not a deep snort, which shoots the medicine down your throat instead of onto the lining where it works. Breathe out through your mouth, repeat for the other nostril, and do not blow your nose or sneeze for a few minutes afterward. With steroid sprays, consistency is the other half: they build effect over days to weeks, so daily use through the season beats rescue spraying. See a pharmacist or doctor if you get repeated nosebleeds, or if a steroid spray is not helping after a couple of weeks of correct daily use. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can talk you through the technique.