Allergy nasal spraysare the most effective medications for the treatment of nasal allergy symptoms. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that they are even better than oralantihistamines.
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Nasal sprays do, however, have a downside—they need to be used routinely to get the best results, and many people do not like the idea of putting medication in their nose.
How to Correctly Use a Nasal Spray
It seems pretty obvious. Still, most people do not use a nasal spray correctly. Incorrect use leads to an increased chance you’ll suffer side effects and a decreased chance that the medication will work as well as it could.
To correctly use a nasal spray:
Should nasal bleeding, irritation, or other unpleasant side effects occur, stop using the nasal spray for three to five days and try again. If the side effects continue to occur, stop using the nasal spray entirely and contact your healthcare provider.
Types of Nasal Sprays
Available nasal spraysinclude topical nasal steroids, topical nasal antihistamines, topical nasal anticholinergics, and topical nasal mast cell stabilizers. Many previously prescribed nasal sprays, includingFlonase, Rhinocort, Nasacort, NasalCrom, and Astepro are now approved for over-the-counter use, and it is likely that more once-prescription-only sprays will become available in the future.
Many patients find that using a corticosteroid nasal spray can at least partially alleviate eye allergy symptoms in addition to nasal allergy symptoms. This is thought to be at least partly due to the medication acting on the nasolacrimal duct, the passageway between the nose and eyes.
Topical Nasal Steroids
This class of allergy medications is probably the most effective at treating nasal allergies, as well asnon-allergic rhinitis.Most topical corticosteroid nasal sprays are now available over the counter.
Some people note that one smells or tastes better than another, but they all work about the same.
This group of medications includes the following:
Nasal Corticosteroid Spray vs. Oral Antihistamine: Which Is Better?
Topical Nasal Antihistamines
At the present time, there are only two types of medication in this category: azelastine (Astepro) and olopatadine (Patanase). Azelastine is effective in treating allergic and non-allergic rhinitis.It at least partly treats all nasal allergy symptoms, including nasal congestion (which oral antihistamines often do not improve); it has a quick onset of action and can be used as needed.
Side effects are generally mild and include nasal irritation.
Topical Nasal Anticholinergics
Nasal ipratropium (Atrovent Nasal) works to dry up nasal secretions and is recommended for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, and symptoms of the common cold. It works great at treating a “drippy nose,” but will not treat nasal itching or nasal congestion symptoms.
Side effects are mild and typically include nasal irritation and dryness.
Topical Nasal Mast Cell Stabilizers
Cromolyn (NasalCrom) is a medication that can prevent symptoms of nasal allergies when usedbeforeexposure to allergens. This medication prevents mast cells from releasing chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.The medication does not treat allergy symptoms once they have occurred, however. Therefore, it has only limited usefulness for most people.
NasalCrom is now also available over the counter without a prescription.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Juel-Berg N, Darling P, Bolvig J, et al.Intranasal corticosteroids compared with oral antihistamines in allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2017;31(1):19–28. doi:10.2500/ajra.2016.30.4397MedlinePlus.Nasal corticosteroid sprays.Tran NP, Vickery J, Blaiss MS.Management of rhinitis: allergic and non-allergic.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2011;3(3):148–56. doi:10.4168/aair.2011.3.3.148Edwards AM, Hagberg H.Oral and inhaled sodium cromoglicate in the management of systemic mastocytosis: a case report.J Med Case Rep. 2010;4:193. doi:10.1186/1752-1947-4-193Additional ReadingKaiser HB, Naclerio RM, Given J, Toler TN, Ellsworth A, Philpot EE.Fluticasone furoate nasal spray: a single treatment option for the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis.J Clin Allergy Immunol.2007;119(6):1430-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2007.02.022Kariyawasam HH, Scadding G.Seasonal allergic rhinitis: fluticasone propionate and fluticasone furoate therapy evaluated.J Asthma Allergy. 2010;3:19–28.Wallace D, Dykewicz M, Bernstein D, et al.The diagnosis and management of rhinitis: an updated practice parameter.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;122(2):S1–84. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2008.06.003
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Juel-Berg N, Darling P, Bolvig J, et al.Intranasal corticosteroids compared with oral antihistamines in allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2017;31(1):19–28. doi:10.2500/ajra.2016.30.4397MedlinePlus.Nasal corticosteroid sprays.Tran NP, Vickery J, Blaiss MS.Management of rhinitis: allergic and non-allergic.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2011;3(3):148–56. doi:10.4168/aair.2011.3.3.148Edwards AM, Hagberg H.Oral and inhaled sodium cromoglicate in the management of systemic mastocytosis: a case report.J Med Case Rep. 2010;4:193. doi:10.1186/1752-1947-4-193Additional ReadingKaiser HB, Naclerio RM, Given J, Toler TN, Ellsworth A, Philpot EE.Fluticasone furoate nasal spray: a single treatment option for the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis.J Clin Allergy Immunol.2007;119(6):1430-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2007.02.022Kariyawasam HH, Scadding G.Seasonal allergic rhinitis: fluticasone propionate and fluticasone furoate therapy evaluated.J Asthma Allergy. 2010;3:19–28.Wallace D, Dykewicz M, Bernstein D, et al.The diagnosis and management of rhinitis: an updated practice parameter.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;122(2):S1–84. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2008.06.003
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Juel-Berg N, Darling P, Bolvig J, et al.Intranasal corticosteroids compared with oral antihistamines in allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2017;31(1):19–28. doi:10.2500/ajra.2016.30.4397MedlinePlus.Nasal corticosteroid sprays.Tran NP, Vickery J, Blaiss MS.Management of rhinitis: allergic and non-allergic.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2011;3(3):148–56. doi:10.4168/aair.2011.3.3.148Edwards AM, Hagberg H.Oral and inhaled sodium cromoglicate in the management of systemic mastocytosis: a case report.J Med Case Rep. 2010;4:193. doi:10.1186/1752-1947-4-193
Juel-Berg N, Darling P, Bolvig J, et al.Intranasal corticosteroids compared with oral antihistamines in allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2017;31(1):19–28. doi:10.2500/ajra.2016.30.4397
MedlinePlus.Nasal corticosteroid sprays.
Tran NP, Vickery J, Blaiss MS.Management of rhinitis: allergic and non-allergic.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2011;3(3):148–56. doi:10.4168/aair.2011.3.3.148
Edwards AM, Hagberg H.Oral and inhaled sodium cromoglicate in the management of systemic mastocytosis: a case report.J Med Case Rep. 2010;4:193. doi:10.1186/1752-1947-4-193
Kaiser HB, Naclerio RM, Given J, Toler TN, Ellsworth A, Philpot EE.Fluticasone furoate nasal spray: a single treatment option for the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis.J Clin Allergy Immunol.2007;119(6):1430-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2007.02.022Kariyawasam HH, Scadding G.Seasonal allergic rhinitis: fluticasone propionate and fluticasone furoate therapy evaluated.J Asthma Allergy. 2010;3:19–28.Wallace D, Dykewicz M, Bernstein D, et al.The diagnosis and management of rhinitis: an updated practice parameter.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;122(2):S1–84. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2008.06.003
Kaiser HB, Naclerio RM, Given J, Toler TN, Ellsworth A, Philpot EE.Fluticasone furoate nasal spray: a single treatment option for the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis.J Clin Allergy Immunol.2007;119(6):1430-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2007.02.022
Kariyawasam HH, Scadding G.Seasonal allergic rhinitis: fluticasone propionate and fluticasone furoate therapy evaluated.J Asthma Allergy. 2010;3:19–28.
Wallace D, Dykewicz M, Bernstein D, et al.The diagnosis and management of rhinitis: an updated practice parameter.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;122(2):S1–84. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2008.06.003
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