I had a stuffy nose all winter. I thought it was a pet allergy, but I have the same symptoms at work. I have tried Benadryl and sinus pills, but nothing works. Should I seek help?

Hello, There can be several reasons for a blocked nose Firstly, it is important not to use decongestant sprays for more than 5 days maximum because they act by forcing the small vessels to contract and as soon as they are stopped, the congestion often returns worse than before.The products not to be used for more than 3 to 5 days maximum are : Dristan, Drixoral, Otrivin.Some medications can cause dryness of the mucous membranes. Talk to your local pharmacist who has access to your file to find out if the rhinitis is drug-induced.Often in the winter, indoor air is dry, which can increase irritation of the nasal mucosa. The ideal relative humidity in a home or office is between 40 and 60%. Therefore, the solution is to check the humidity level and purchase a humidifier.Inadequate hydration can also cause dryer mucous membranes and difficulty producing mucus. So try to drink an adequate amount of water (~3l/d) if you are not fluid restricted Recommendations - Try the non-pharmacologic measures listed above.- Use Sinus-Rinse or equivalent, if you have mucus - Ask your pharmacist if certain nasal corticosteroids are indicated for you such as: Nasonex, Nasacort. Use for 14 days can de-inflame the nasal mucosa in conjunction with other measures - If your nose is very dry, you can use Rhinaris for lubrication, especially at night before going to bed.These are the possible solutions for your condition, according to the information given. It is recommended to discuss with your regular pharmacist to verify the absence of infection or condition that requires a medical consultation