What is rebound congestion?

Updated Tue, Mar 24, 2026

If you use decongestant nasal sprays (like Afrin™ or Sinex™) for more than 3 days in a row, something tricky can happen. Instead of helping, the spray starts making your nose MORE stuffy when it wears off. Then you feel like you need even more spray. This stuffy-spray-stuffy cycle is called rebound congestion, also known as Rhinitis Medicamentosa.