We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Nasal sprays are medications that you spray directly into your nose. These products are sometimes recommended to treat symptoms of sinus pressure and inflammation, which can be caused by allergies or a sinus infection.
These sprays can apply active ingredients directly to the site of your discomfort, which can help to provide quick relief for pressure and congestion. Nasal sprays that are only available with a prescription have a higher dose of active ingredients and a slightly increased risk of side effects. But many nasal spray products are available over the counter and can be purchased conveniently at any drug store or even online.
Certain products are designed to be better at treating certain conditions, but wading through and narrowing down what might work best can be a daunting task. OTC nasal sprays can be categorized by their active ingredients or lack thereof. In general, OTC nasal spray options have many of the same active ingredients as their prescription-strength counterparts. Prescription-strength sprays are also more likely to contain corticosteroids ingredients. Nasal allergy sprays tend to work more quickly than oral allergy medication.
Some people report that nasal sprays can be habit-forming, and side effects such as rebound inflammation and nosebleeds can occur if you overuse these products. Alternatives to consider include:. Shopping for the right nasal spray starts with learning a thing or two about the active ingredients they contain. Press down on the canister as you begin to breathe in slowly through your nose. Repeat these steps for the other nostril. Try not to sneeze or blow your nose just after using the spray.
Steps for using a pump bottle Gently blow your nose to clear it of mucus before using the medicine. Remove the cap. Shake the bottle. Do this by squirting it a few times into the air until a fine mist comes out. Tilt your head forward slightly. Hold the pump bottle with your thumb at the bottom and your index and middle fingers on top.
Insert the canister tip in your nose, aiming the tip toward the back of your head. Use a finger on your other hand to close your nostril on the side not receiving the medicine. Squeeze the pump as you begin to breathe in slowly through your nose.
Helpful hints Talk with your doctor about how long it may be before your see improvement to your congestion. Some sprays take up to 2 weeks to work. Wash the canister device at least once a week. Be sure you can sniff air through each nostril before spraying. Otherwise the medicine will be wasted because it will not go deep into your nose. Aim straight. Point the nozzle of the nasal spray container toward the back of your head. If the pump spray is used correctly, the spray should not drip from your nose or down the back of your throat.
If your nose hurts, if you begin to have nosebleeds, or if the inside of your nose stings, stop using the spray for 1 to 2 days. Sometimes it helps to use a saline nose spray some brands: SalineX, Ocean Nasal Mist, or NaSal just before you use your medicine nasal spray. Most nasal sprays work best when used regularly and consistently.
Potential purchasers should be cautioned that sharing the bottle with others can spread viral or bacterial infections. They should also report that they are using the product whenever they see a physician so it can be entered into their medical record. Because this is a steroid, the growth rate of children may be slowed. Patients should understand that the product may relieve some of their symptoms on the first day of use, but maximal relief may not occur until the patient has used it daily for a full week.
Patients who have been using Nasacort Allergy 24HR should stop use and speak to a physician in the following situations: 1 they develop chickenpox, measles, or tuberculosis or contact someone who has them; 2 they have or develop symptoms of infection, such as persistent fever; 3 they experience any change in vision; or 4 they have severe or persistent nosebleeds.
Patients with nasal congestion may choose either oral or topical nasal decongestants. Nasal decongestant sprays contain such ingredients as oxymetazoline e.
It temporarily relieves sinus congestion and pressure and also shrinks swollen nasal membranes so the patient can breathe more freely. Nasal decongestant sprays should not be used if the patient has heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, thyroid disease, or trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should speak to their physician before use.
Package warnings caution patients not to share the container to prevent the spread of infection, and also warn users that the product may cause temporary discomfort, such as burning, stinging, sneezing, or an increased nasal discharge. As the product wears off, nasal tissues undergo a process known as reactive hyperemia , in which blood vessels dilate to correct the effects of the decongestant. The patient perceives this as worsening of nasal congestion and readministers the topical decongestant.
But this aggravates the underlying cause of the problem, so continuing to use the spray is counterproductive. In the worst cases, patients become psychologically addicted to nasal sprays and may use several bottles weekly in an attempt to open the nasal passages.
To help patients avoid this vicious cycle, product labels warn users not to exceed the recommended dosage, and not to use the spray for more than 3 days.
To treat the problem, patients must be cautioned to immediately halt use of the product. Although the nasal passages will become fully congested during withdrawal, eventually they will open again. Directions for use of nasal decongestant sprays vary somewhat, but the label of oxymetazoline 0. Hypotonic sodium chloride nasal sprays are a third type of nonpre-scription nasal spray. The products are advertised for several beneficial purposes: 1 relieving nasal dryness due to allergies, colds, flu, rhinitis, and sinusitis; 2 thinning mucus to relieve congestion; 3 reducing the incidence of dryness-induced nosebleeds; 4 moisturizing and irrigating nasal membranes after nasal surgery; 5 relieving dryness associated with oxygen treatments and continuous positive airway pressure CPAP equipment used for sleep apnea; 6 providing nasal moisture in cold and dry climates; and 7 moisturizing the nasal passages when the patient must spend time in enclosed spaces such as airplanes.
The directions for Ocean Nasal Spray are to squeeze the bottle twice in each nostril as often as needed or as directed by a physician. However, the product can be held upright to produce a spray for older children and adults.
Patients should not touch nasal mucosa while spraying these products to prevent contamination of the contents. Cromolyn nasal spray e. If needed, the product can be used up to six times daily. For prevention, the patient can initiate pretreatment 1 to 2 weeks before exposure to the cause of allergies e. Patients should be cautioned to discontinue use and contact a physician in any of the following situations: if they experience shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest tightness; if hives or swelling of the mouth or throat occurs; if symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop; if symptoms do not begin to improve in 2 weeks; or if the product needs to be used for more than 12 weeks.
Cromolyn nasal spray NasalCrom helps prevent and relieve symptoms of hay fever and other nasal allergies, specifically runny nose, itching of the nose, sneezing, and stuffy nose due to allergies.
If possible, you should start using it 1 to 2 weeks before contacting such allergens as pollen, mold, dust, or animal dander. However, the spray can also give some relief if symptoms have already occurred. It is only for use in patients aged 2 years and above. Speak to your physician before use if you have fever, discolored nasal discharge, sinus pain, or wheezing. It is the first nasal corticosteroid available without a prescription. Nasacort relieves symptoms of hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies, specifically nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itching of the nose.
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