Can expectorants help with nasal congestion and blocked ears? Does an antihistamine help dry up nasal secretions?

Hello,The expectorant (often guaifenesin) contained in the various combinations of cold products is sold only for the expectoration of secretions/mucus coming from the bronchi. However, its effectiveness, even for bronchial secretions, has never really been proven. In fact, drinking a little more water (hydration) would have the same effect. The only product that has some studies showing its usefulness in liquefying nasal secretions is Myrtol Gel, but only in the case of sinusitis. Its use has not been studied for congestion symptoms related to the common cold. Note that in your situation, it may be appropriate to use a saline spray (e.g. Hydrasense, Sinus rinse) in addition to your Nasonex to further help treat your nasal congestion and/or discharge. You can ask your pharmacist for more information if needed.As for antihistamines, we normally avoid them for the treatment of nasal congestion. Indeed, there is a theoretical risk that by drying up nasal secretions, they will be more difficult to get out. As a result, viruses or bacteria that are trapped in the nasal cavity will remain in our nose longer. After all, we must remember that nasal secretions are part of our body's defense system. If we prevent it from working properly to keep us from getting congested or runny, it may not be beneficial in the end.

We look forward to hearing from you,Sarah-Yan Chagnon, pharmacist

Hello,I am not in a position to say whether the effect of a humidifier is the same as that of an expectorant since there are no comparative studies between these two options. However, humidification of the nasal passages does help to keep secretions more fluid, hence the usefulness of using saline sprays to moisturize the nose. Moreover, with the heating of our homes, the ambient humidity tends to decrease during the winter However, care must be taken with humidifiers, as they must be maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions. Otherwise, they can be contaminated by mold or bacteria. A simple trick to humidify our room is to put a bowl of boiled hot water in the room and change/clean the bowl every day. As the water evaporates, it humidifies the room.