Nasal Spray Guide: Uses and Effectiveness

A nasal spray is a liquid medication administered through the nose to alleviate congestion, allergies, or sinus symptoms. It can contain decongestants, steroids, or saline solution.
Related products/activities
Application
Nasal Health | Nasal Congestion Relief | Sinus Care | Sinus Relief
Prepared by Lee Cheng, reviewed by Dr. Helena Rodriguez

Nasal Spray FAQ


Image credit: walmart.com

What is a nasal spray used for?

Nasal sprays are used to deliver medications into your nostrils. Most often, they are used to treat allergy or cold symptoms, such as itching, sneezing, or nasal congestion. Some nasal sprays, however, deliver medications that act elsewhere in the body.

Are nasal steroid sprays effective?

Nasal steroid sprays are used to treat and prevent nasal irritation but are only effective if used consistently. Oral corticosteroids may be used if a nasal steroid spray is ineffective, according to MayoClinic.com.

What are antihistamine nasal sprays?

Antihistamine nasal sprays are available only as prescription medicines, unlike several oral antihistamines which are available over-the-counter. The intranasal antihistamines, unlike oral antihistamines, have decongestant actions and are also useful in non-allergic forms of rhinitis.

How do nasal sprays work?

Nasal sprays are medicines that you spray into your nose to reduce inflammation. They are sprayed directly into the nostrils (nasal passage). Nasal sprays are commonly used to treat asthma, allergies of the nose and persistent rhinitis (inflammation of the nose). Using the correct nasal spray technique will help the medication work more efectively.

How do I use nasal spray?

We recommend using a saline (salt water) irrigation / wash of the nose prior to application of the nasal spray (see nasal irrigation information sheet) and then blow your nose gently. Shake the bottle. Remove the cap / lid. Use your right hand to deliver spray to the left nostril and left hand to deliver spray to the right nostril.

What are steroid nasal sprays?

Steroid nasal sprays, also called corticosteroid nasal sprays, are anti-inflammatory medicines that you spray into your nose. They can be used to treat a range of conditions, including hay fever, sinusitis, non-allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps.

Nasal Spray References

If you want to know more about Nasal Spray, consider exploring links below:

Explore Related Topics