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How do I Choose the Best Allergy Relief Spray?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

As anyone with allergies knows all too well, dealing effectively with the constant discomfort and difficulties associated with different types of allergic reactions is very important to remaining a decent quality of life. One of the tools that many allergy sufferers find helpful is allergy relief spray. However, choosing the right one can be a confusing process, unless you follow a few basic rules.

In some cases, you won’t have to be concerned about choosing the right allergy relief spray. This is true in situations where your doctor determines that an over the counter product will not provide you with adequate relief. In this scenario, there is a good chance your physician will order a prescription sinus spray for your use. Make sure to report any unpleasant side effects or problems you may encounter with the product. Often, there is something else that your doctor can prescribe that will do just as good a job, without causing you additional distress.

A nasal spray may be effective at providing allergy relief.
A nasal spray may be effective at providing allergy relief.

When looking for the ideal allergy relief spray, it is important to understand what type of symptoms you need to control. Some sprays are formulated to help reduce sinus congestion, while others are designed to calm inflammation that makes it hard to breathe normally. Fortunately, your doctor can provide you with specific information about what to look for in an allergy relief spray. In some cases, the physician may also advise you to not use a particular product, either because of the nature of your allergy or due to some other health issue you are facing.

Allergy sprays help relieve symptoms of nasal allergies.
Allergy sprays help relieve symptoms of nasal allergies.

As you evaluate different allergy sprays, don’t hesitate to get input from your pharmacist. These health care professionals can often identify potential interactions with other medications you are taking. They can also help you avoid products containing elements that could cause you harm. For example, if your doctor has told you to steer clear of products containing steroids, your pharmacist can help you identify and avoid any steroid nasal spray that may be available locally.

Saline nasal sprays, which consist mostly of a salt-water solution, may be effective in easing allergy symptoms.
Saline nasal sprays, which consist mostly of a salt-water solution, may be effective in easing allergy symptoms.

The true test of any allergy relief spray is how well it alleviates your allergy symptoms. If you try a particular product, and it seems to take a great deal of time to ease your symptoms, investigating another spray is certainly in order. Be sure to report to your doctor any difficulties you may experience with any spray you try, whether it is a prescription or over the counter product. Your reaction to a given product could provide valuable clues that will give your physician additional insight into your allergy problems, and pave the way to finding more effective modes of treatment for your condition.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Discussion Comments

CellMania

@googie98: I have used Rhinocort nasal spray for a while and I’m not 100% sure if I like it. It is a steroid based nasal spray and is prescribed for nasal congestion due to allergies. It treats sneezing, runny nose and congestion. It can also prevent nasal polyps from reappearing after polyp removal surgery.

Because it is a steroidal medication, it lowers your blood cell levels that fight infection. Therefore, illnesses such as measles or chicken pox can be harder to fight if you are taking Rhinocort.

You also have to be careful when taking other medications with Rhinocort. It interacts with many different drugs. It is also said that St. John’s wort and grapefruit juice interact with Rhinocort, causing heavy sedation.

googie98

Has anyone ever used Rhinocort nasal spray? If so, how well did it work?

WaterHopper

@snowywinter: Saline mist sprays are great for moisturizing irritated or dry nostrils. Saline is also great to relieve congestion and to remove airborne irritants like dust and pollen. There are isotonic and hypertonic solutions. The isotonic solutions have the same concentration of salt as the human body. Hypertonic solutions have a higher salt content and are useful for drawing moisture from the mucus membrane.

SnowyWinter

My son has always had to use nose sprays for his allergies. Does anyone know how effective saline mist is? My sister works at a pharmacy and said that it works pretty well to keep the nasal passages moist.

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    • A nasal spray may be effective at providing allergy relief.
      By: kirillica
      A nasal spray may be effective at providing allergy relief.
    • Allergy sprays help relieve symptoms of nasal allergies.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Allergy sprays help relieve symptoms of nasal allergies.
    • Saline nasal sprays, which consist mostly of a salt-water solution, may be effective in easing allergy symptoms.
      By: ia_64
      Saline nasal sprays, which consist mostly of a salt-water solution, may be effective in easing allergy symptoms.