Over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays:  these sprays are the most effective means of shrinking your nasal membranes but they are very harmful to your nose if you use them for more than three or four days. As many of you reading this already know, you will become addicted to over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays if you use them repeatedly, for more than several days. Why does addiction occur?  Because the over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays are the most powerful temporary shrinkers of the nasal lining covering your turbinates -- the turbinates are large scrolls of bone on the side walls of your nose. The turbinate bone is covered with pink nasal lining containing many large blood vessels. The over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray temporarily shrinks the blood vessels in your turbinates, allowing you to breathe better through your nose for a while -- but then the rebound effect occurs: the effect of the nasal spray wears off and the turbinates swell up worse than before. What do you do? You run for the decongestant nasal spray and use it again -- you become addicted to the decongestant nasal spray, which makes your nasal lining angry, red and irritable after months and years of abuse.

Prescription or over-the-counter decongestant pills: decongestant pills temporarily shrink the blood vessels in the pink nasal lining covering the turbinates inside your nose.  But if you take decongestant pills daily for months or years you run the risk of elevating your blood pressure and making your heart more irritable.

Over-the-counter antihistamines:  as I'm sure you already know, these pills can make you drowsy and dry out your mouth and throat.

Prescription antihistamines: now available are several brands which will avoid severe drowsiness. However, in my experience of more than 30 years treating nasal obstruction, many patients have told me that these pills are only minimally effective in relieving the severe nasal blockage due to allergies. In addition, many patients are justifiably concerned about having to take medicines every day for months and years if an alternative treatment is available.

Prescription steroid nasal sprays:  several different brands are available which are helpful in reducing sneezing, watering and itching in the nose. But, just like prescription antihistamines, many patients have told me that these sprays are only minimally effective in relieving the severe nasal blockage due to allergies.

External nasal strips:  these are quite expensive if you use them every night, month after month. And what do you do in the daytime? You can't be seen out in public with a nasal strip over your nose -- unless you're an NFL linebacker (who instead could have the definitive nasal surgery that will free him forever from his dependence on nasal strips).