Nose Spray Is an Important Tool in Helping Nasal Irritation

If you find yourself in a constant cycle of nose blowing, stuffiness, and sniffling, nasal spray might be a solution that works for you.

Though there are a variety of nasal sprays – both prescription and over-the-counter options – most serve the same purpose, according to Premier ENT Associates physicians.

Some types of nasal sprays and how they work, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), are allergy sprays.

These types of sprays help relieve sneezing, runny nose, and stuffiness. They also help with itchy nose and other symptoms caused by hay fever and allergies to pollen, mold, dust, pets, and more.  

There are two types of allergy nasal sprays, which are Budesonide, commonly known as Rhinocort, and Fluticasone, commonly known as Flonase. 

These sprays:

  • Are available in both prescription and over-the-counter form
  • Are listed as corticosteroids and are typically to be used once a day
  • Help control allergy symptoms, but patients won’t see much improvement for one to two days after starting use. It can take up to two weeks before a patient starts to feel the full benefits
  • Should not be used to help relieve symptoms of a cold

Saline nasal spray is also an option to help clear out the nasal passages and clear out congestion, according to the NIH. It is available over-the-counter.

Another type of over-the-counter nasal spray is called oxymetazoline, commonly known as Afrin, according to the NIH. 

However, some people can easily become dependent on these types of nasal sprays, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). 

Oxymetazoline spray can seem helpful because it can clear airways quickly. But, they shouldn’t be used for more than three days, according to the AAFP. 

While they provide relief, they can make the nose feel more stuffed up after you quit using them, according to the AAFP. This causes a rebound effect for many people, who then have a hard time quitting the use of the spray.

Before choosing a nasal spray, talk with your primary care doctor or make an appointment at Premier ENT Associates to determine which type is right for you.