Over-the-counter (OTC) steroid and antihistamine nasal sprays are generally considered the best for treating allergy symptoms. These effectively manage common allergy symptoms like congestion, sneezing, and runny nose.
Top Nasal Spray Choices for Allergies
Several effective options are readily available:
- Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone): A steroid nasal spray that reduces nasal inflammation.
- Nasacort Allergy 24 Hour (triamcinolone): Another steroid nasal spray offering 24-hour relief from allergy symptoms. This is available OTC, a change reflecting increased accessibility to effective allergy treatment.
- Astepro Allergy (azelastine): An antihistamine nasal spray that blocks histamine, particularly helpful for runny noses caused by allergies.
These sprays are generally safe for daily use by both adults and children. However, always consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medication, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking other medications.
How Nasal Sprays Work
Steroid nasal sprays work by reducing inflammation in the nasal passages, while antihistamine sprays block the effects of histamine, a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction. This dual action makes them highly effective in managing allergy symptoms.
Allergists frequently cite nasal sprays as the single best medical therapy for managing allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
While some individuals might explore alternative treatments like sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops), studies suggest that allergy shots are more effective for treating allergic rhinitis and asthma, demonstrating more favorable immune system changes.
