Lots of people in the UK use nasal sprays; however, if you're one of them, there's some vital information you need to know. While the sprays are popular remedies to try and aid congestion, there are some things you should be aware of before using them regularly.

At this time of year, when the weather is colder, and lots of illnesses are going around, many people turn to them in a bid to better their health. But, according to expert advice, people need to act with caution, and there are reasons why you need to be mindful when using the medication.

A warning was recently issued by a pharmacist, known as Pharmacist Anum on TikTok, detailing what people need to know in a candid video. According to her, there are certain times when people need to avoid using the sprays.

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In the clip, Pharmacist Anum said: "A major issue I see as a pharmacist is the amount of people addicted to decongestant nasal sprays, but overuse can actually cause a lot of harm. The decongestant nasal sprays I'm referring to are things that contain xylometazoline or oxymetazoline.

"Some brands are things like Otrivin, Sudafed, Vicks. They all do nasal sprays that contain these, so have a look at the ingredient list at the back of your nasal spray.

"But, overuse of these can cause something called rebound congestion. Now, what this means is when you stop using the nasal sprays, your blocked nose comes back even worse and then you have to resort back to using it.

"You just get stuck in this vicious cycle. Now, as well as the rebound congestion, overuse can actually damage the lining of your sinuses, causing some real long-term issues.

"So you're actually only meant to be using these nasal sprays for a maximum of five to seven days. If you've been using them for longer than seven days, please don't panic, but do speak with your pharmacist or GP, who can help support wean you off of the decongestant nasal sprays by using things like saline nasal rinses or steam inhalations. These can really help."

She noted that, if these options don't help, it's still important to seek medical advice. This is because a medical professional will be able to thoroughly investigate the root cause of the problem and assist you further.

Little you may know, it's possible to overuse decongestant nasal sprays, as is can lead to a cycle of worsening congestion called rhinitis medicamentosa (rebound congestion). This is where the spray can stop working and your stuffiness can get worse.

When it wears off, it can cause you to become dependent. It also has the potential to cause damage to nasal tissues if used for more than three to seven days.

It can lead to something called rebound congestion. The spray constricts blood vessels in your nose, and overuse makes them less responsive. This can lead to even more swelling when the medication wears off.

Not to mention, you can also become too reliant on it. If you need it to be able to breathe normally, it can lead to you using it too frequently.

In some cases, sprays can also thicken nasal structures (turbinate hypertrophy) and impair the function of nasal hairs (cilia). There are a few reasons why you should never use them too much.

The NHS website states: "Decongestant nasal sprays and drops should not be used for more than a week at a time because using them for too long can make your stuffiness worse. Speak to a GP if your symptoms do not improve after this time."

More information about how to and who can use them can be found at the website. Ensure you read instructions before taking any form of medication.