How to Use Nasal Sprays to Treat Pollen Allergies

You can't breathe, and the sinus pressure is unbearable. If you have seasonal pollen allergies, you may need more than oral antihistamines and decongestants. Nasal sprays (both steroidal and non-steroidal) may be effective additions to your allergy arsenal, sending medicine directly to the sinuses.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Educate yourself about nasal sprays. Nasal decongestants help relieve sinus inflammation and allow drainage. Currently, there is only one available nasal antihistamine, and it requires a prescription. Some of the more commonly prescribed allergy nasal sprays are steroids.
2. Be aware that steroidal nasal sprays may take several days to build up and cause noticeable effects. You typically will not get immediate results from nasal steroids.
3. Make an appointment with your primary-care physician or allergist to discuss the best nasal sprays for your pollen allergies. If you decide to use an over-the-counter spray before you see your doctor, try a saline-based spray designed to treat your sinuses by irrigating and adding moisture.
4. Before using a nasal spray, blow your nose gently to clear mucus and open your sinus passages. Blowing your nose also helps remove pollen spores in your nasal passages that set off allergies.
5. Use your nasal spray as directed for maximum effectiveness. While your doctor may prescribe short-term use of a decongestant spray to treat sinus pain and pressure, prescription steroid sprays must be used for longer periods and at regular intervals.
6. Wash your hands thoroughly after using your nasal spray, and remove and wash the tip of the spray bottle if possible. This discourages bacterial growth. If the spray does not contain a removable tip, wipe it off after multiple uses.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider allergy testing to determine exactly what you are allergic to. This information can help you to make the best choice of nasal sprays to treat your allergies.
• Decongestant nasal sprays can damage delicate nasal passages if misused. If you have been using a decongestant spray for several days and feel like you are more congested, you may be experiencing the "rebound effect" caused by inflammation from overuse. Follow medication directions diligently.
• Do not share nasal sprays with anyone, as it is possible to transmit viral or bacterial infections between users.
• If you experience nosebleeds or dryness while using nasal sprays, contact your doctor. In the meantime, you may get some relief from an over-the-counter saline (or "ocean") spray.