ASK A STUPID QUESTION Do decongestants actually work?

Yes, says Professor Ron Eccles, former director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University. He says: ‘A blocked nose is caused by swelling in the larger veins in the nasal passages, triggered by a cold or allergy. Decongestants target receptors called alpha-adrenergic receptors on the blood vessel walls, making them narrow, so opening up the nasal cavity. Nasal sprays are about four times more effective than those you take by mouth and work within minutes, giving relief for up to eight hours.’