Winter Sinus Pain? Your Stuffy Nose Could Use This One Simple Fix

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Stuffy nose, chapped lips, icy fingers and toes – ah, the harbinger of winter is upon us. With cold and flu rates spiking across the country, and low humidity levels causing dry skin and bloody noses, ‘tis the season of nasal discomfort and congestion.

Winter certainly brings challenges for our poor noses, with cold, dry air and illness leaving sinuses irritated and congested. Heated indoor air can reduce humidity levels (be sure to check out our best humidifier guide for more information on how this works), while also creating a microcosm of allergens and viruses to thrive.

What can you turn to in your time of need? During the winter months, nasal sprays can offer targeted relief by delivering moisture and medication directly where it's needed most. We’ll discuss how nasal sprays work, what types (medicated versus non-medicated) might be right for you, as well as a few best-selling options you can find at Amazon, CVS and Walmart.

How do nasal sprays work?

Spraying a fine mist of moisture, nasal sprays directly hydrate and soothe the nasal lining while providing targeted symptom relief.

To use, first blow your nose if needed to clear out the excess mucus, and give a small test spray to prime the bottle. Place the applicator tip into one nostril and angle it towards the outer wall away from the septum. You’ll need one to two sprays before you switch over to the second nostril.

Don’t tilt your head back, just keep it at a normal level or may choose to tuck your chin towards your chest. Take a small sniff to keep it in your nose.

What's the difference between medicated and non-medicated nasal sprays?

Non-medicated (saline) sprays contain only salt water solutions used to treat dryness, nosebleeds and other symptoms caused by congestion and allergies. They work by moisturizing the nasal passage, flushing out irritants and thinning mucus. Isotonic nasal sprays have the same saline concentrations as found in your body, while hypertonic saline solutions have a higher concentration of salt. Higher concentrations of saline can cause irritation.

Medicated sprays contain active ingredients like decongestants (ex: Afrin), antihistamines (ex: Astepro) or corticosteroids (ex: Flonase). They provide stronger symptom relief but may have usage restrictions and potential side effects.

Caution: Avoid using medicated decongestant sprays for more than three consecutive days to prevent rebound congestion. Always follow package directions, don't share nasal sprays between users and consult healthcare providers if your symptoms persist beyond seven to 10 days.

Which nasal sprays are safe for babies and young children?

Babies (1-2 years): Only plain saline sprays or drops. Never use medicated sprays.

Young children (2-6 years): Saline sprays are safest. Some pediatric-formulated medicated/steroid sprays may be appropriate with doctor approval. Decongestant sprays should not be used for children under six years old.

Children 6+: Many nasal sprays can be used, but always check age recommendations and consult a pediatrician.

Top Winter Nasal Spray Options

1. Newborn+ Nasal Spray: Frida Baby NoseFrida Saline Mist Spray

Price: $5.99 at Amazon and CVS

What we like:

• Non-medicated, drug-free nasal congestion relief
• 2-in-1 applicator: Can be used upright as a fine mist, or upside down as a gentle dropper
• Can be used in combination with a nasal aspirator
• FSA and HSA eligible in the U.S.

What to know:

• Some reviews note the sprayability may not be reliable

If you’re looking for a reliable newborn saline nasal mist, the Frida Baby Saline Mist Spray comes highly recommended by reviewers, with over 18,000 company ratings and 4.7 stars on Amazon.

The general feedback is its quality, low price point, and suitability for infants (especially newborns). One happy parent noted that during winter, their daughter was getting frequent bloody noses, but “this spray has made a noticeable difference.”

Another said, “I used this mist spray a ton in my baby’s first year. She would often have congestion, so using this along with [a] nasal aspirator was very helpful. The tip is the perfect size for little baby nostrils, and it never bothered my baby when I would use it.”

Some complaints noted that it could be an issue for kids or adults with sensitive noses because it caused some burning or painful sensations, and that the sprayability wasn’t always reliable.

2. Newborn+ Nasal Spray: Little Remedies Sterile Baby Saline Nasal Mist

Price: $13.41, was $14.86 (3 pack) at Amazon

What we like:

• Non-medicated, drug-free nasal congestion relief
• Safe for newborns and older, according to the company
• No alcohol and preservatives, including parabens, artificial flavors and dyes
• FSA and HSA eligible in the U.S.

What to know:

• Even though it’s claimed to be safe for newborns, parents must be cautious to avoid choking hazards. Be sure to speak with your pediatrician before use.

With over 14,000 company ratings and 4.8 stars, the Little Remedies Sterile Saline Nasal Mist is a top seller effective for both babies and adults. If you’ve got a baby or young kid with a crusty nose and mucus this winter, it could be just the ticket to help keep that little nose clean.

One reviewer called it “an absolute must-have in our home, especially during cold and allergy season,” while another mentioned it works well in tandem with the Frida baby nose sucker.

One reviewer noted that her newborn suffered through a choking hazard using this, so parents should be extremely cautious – or consider using the nasal drops instead of spray.

3. Older Children & Adults Nasal Spray: ARM & HAMMER Simply Saline Nasal Mist

Price: $5.88 at Walmart and $7.95 at Amazon

• Non-medicated congestion relief
• Isotonic formula (lower salt content) for sensitive noses
• Contains baking soda, purified water and salt
• No fragrances, artificial flavors, dyes or parabens, according to the company
• Ideal for kids ages 2+ with adult supervision

What to know:

• Some reviewers found the nozzle hard to use or arrived broken

My family uses the Arm & Hammer Simply Saline nasal spray during the winter. We’ve had a rough time with nosebleeds due to the temperature swings and low humidity, so this has come through in a pinch after just a few too many early morning wakeups.

The first initial spray can take you a little by surprise since it comes out quickly, but once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to use. We did not experience any burning or stinging sensations, though some reviewers with sensitive noses saw adverse reactions to the saline spray.

Most of the complaints were around the unreliable nozzle and sprayability.

4. Decongestant Medicated Nasal Spray: Afrin No Drip Severe Congestion Pump Mist Nasal Spray

Price: $9.47 at Walmart (1 pack); $13.48, was $16.47 at Amazon; $11.99 at FSAStore.com

Ingredients include: Oxymetazoline HCl (0.05%), menthol

What we like:

• Targeted relief for nasal congestion from colds or allergies
• Constricts blood vessels in the nasal passage to reduce swelling, according to the company
• Lasts up to 12 hours, non-drowsy formula
• Menthol acts as soothing and cooling ingredient

What to know:

• Any children ages 6+, you should consult what a pediatrician prior to use
• Do not use more than three days; prolonged use can cause congestion to reoccur or worsen
• Reviewers say it has a slight burning sensation
• Side effects may include dryness, irritation, sneezing, headache, raised heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety and trouble sleeping.

If you need immediate relief during cold and flu season, Afrin Severe Congestion Nasal Spray is considered one of the more popular options with many reviewers saying it’s a “life saver”. Another reviewer on walmart.com called it “the best stuff out there” before going on to say they took it due to severe congestion and “one dose of this sprayed two times in each [nostril] and immediately I was able to breathe again.”

As for complaints, some noted a stinging sensation when first used, and others had an issue with the spray dispenser.

It’s worth noting that this medicated nasal spray should not be used more than three days in a row, as it can cause the initial congestion to come back or worsen. You should speak with your physician if you have seasonal allergies or an illness that lasts longer than a few days, as this medication can cause health issues.

5. Allergy Relief Nasal Spray: Fluticasone Nasal Spray Allergy Relief

Price: $8.96, was $9.95 at Amazon

Ingredients: Fluticasone propionate (glucocorticoid) 50 mcg

What we like:

• This is a generic Flonase option
• Relieves general allergy symptoms including congestion, runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing
• Non-drowsy, up to 24 hours of protection, according to the company
• Alternative to decongestant nasal spray

What to know:

• Generally safe for adult daily use up to 6 months, but some reviewers experienced irritation and sinus pain
• Children under 4 should not use allergy nasal spray
• Shorter expiration dates
• Side effects may include bloody nose, cough, headache, sore throat, runny nose, dizziness, cough, fast heartbeat and others. Be sure to check with your physician prior to use.

If the most popular allergy nasal spray is just a little too costly, you may want to consider a generic brand Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray instead, which is a similar active ingredient used in other popular brands.

It’s considered generally safe for daily use for up to six months at a time (for adults), but as always, you should confirm with your doctor that it’s right for you – certain medications and health conditions could mean serious side effects.

Children under four years old should not use this allergy nasal spray.

One reviewer noted that it works well at a better price point than its competitors, with many saying it “works great” and is a “quality product.” One reviewer commented that they take it during the summer, and it takes about a week for it to fully start working, but afterwards it “pretty much eliminates massive allergy attacks all summer for me.”

For complaints, some felt it did not work very well and did not fix their symptoms, while a few others had some issues with side effects. Others noted the very short expiration date meant it expired before it was completely used up.

Honorable Mention

Baby Nasal Spray (1-2 years): Vicks® Sinex™ Children's Saline Nasal Mist

Price: $17.94, was $19.89 (2 pack) at Amazon; $13.99 at CVS

What we like:

• Non-medicated saline spray for colds and allergies
• Ages: 1+ years and above
• Isotonic saline solution (lighter saline solution) with aloe

What to know:

• Some reviewers noted the spray quality was poor, or received with damaged spray nozzles
• Expensive compared to other brands

Vicks is a brand synonymous with cold relief. The Vicks Sinex Children’s Saline Nasal spray is ideal to use for children one to two years of age and above. It has 4.6 stars on Amazon, with many saying it’s gentle and moisturizing.

Some complain, however, that it’s expensive when compared to other brands, and several reviewers noted that they received defective spray cans.

Price accurate and item in stock at time of publish.