Allergies Nose & Eye Allergies Nasal Steroid Sprays for Allergies By Daniel More, MD Daniel More, MD Daniel More, MD, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with a background in internal medicine. Learn about our editorial process Updated on February 20, 2021 Medically reviewed by Corinne Savides Happel, MD Medically reviewed by Corinne Savides Happel, MD LinkedIn Corinne Savides Happel, MD, is a board-certified allergist and immunologist with a focus on allergic skin disorders, asthma, and other immune disorders. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Professional societies, such as the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, recommend nasal steroid sprays as the single best therapy for people with persistent or moderate-to-severe symptoms of allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever), including seasonal allergies. ballyscanlon Collection / Digital Vision / Getty Images How Nasal Steroids Work Nasal steroids work by decreasing the allergic inflammation within your nasal passages, treating symptoms such as sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose, congestion, and post-nasal drip. Since steroids generally take many hours before they begin to take effect, nasal steroids do not work well on an as-needed basis and need to be used routinely for best results. In addition, nasal steroid sprays can take a few days to up to a week to provide relief—so remain patient if this is the first time you are trying one out for allergies. Side Effects The good news is that nasal steroid sprays are generally well tolerated, although some are associated with a mildly unpleasant odor or taste. That said, nasal steroids can dry out the lining of the nose in some people and even cause some crusting or bleeding, especially during cold winter months. Switching to a non-alcohol-based spray, and/or applying a moisturizing nasal gel (for example, a water-soluble saline nose gel) before using the steroid spray can be helpful. Nasal Steroid Options There are a number of nasal steroids available. Here is a closer look at some of the pros and cons of popular nasal steroid sprays, and why switching to a different one is a reasonable next step if you are not getting adequate relief with the spray you're currently using. It is certainly possible for someone to find that one nasal spray works better for them or causes fewer side effects than another. Comparison of Brand-Name Nasal Steroids Brand Advantages Disadvantages Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propionate) Available in generic form (lower cost) and over the counter (OTC); approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat non-allergic rhinitis and for use in children as young as 2 years of age Its flowery smell bothers some people; contains an alcohol preservative that may cause irritation in some people Nasarel (flunisolide) Available in generic form Needs to be used two to three times a day for best results; only available by prescription Nasonex (mometasone) Available in generic form; generally the lowest-cost brand-name nasal steroid; FDA-approved for the treatment of nasal polyps and for children as young as 2 years of age Only available by prescription Flonase Sensimist fluticasone furoate) Available OTC; FDA-approved for children as young as 2 years of age; multiple studies show consistent benefit for the treatment of eye allergies (although not currently FDA-approved for this reason) High cost Nasacort AQ (triamcinolone) Available in generic form and OTC; FDA-approved for children as young as 2 years of age High cost; generally poor medical insurance coverage Omnaris (ciclesonide) Fewer steroid side effects (as it is a pro-drug); less nasal irritation given the lack of benzalkonium chloride as a preservative (present in all other nasal steroids) High cost; generally poor medical insurance coverage; only available by prescription Rhinocort Allergy (budesonide) Available in generic form and OTC; preferred nasal steroid during pregnancy High cost; generally poor medical insurance coverage Proper Use It's important to know that the efficacy of steroid nasal sprays depends, in large part, on how they are used. Be sure to read and follow the instructions provided with your medication. Here are a few universal tips for using a nasal spray properly: Shake the bottle well before dispensing the medication.Point the tip to the back/outer side of your nose upon insertion.Do your best to avoid blowing your nose or sneezing immediately after use. A Word From Verywell If you are looking for a nasal steroid, work with your medical provider to determine which medication is best for you. While nasal steroid sprays are generally considered safe to use for many years, it's important to follow up with your healthcare provider as advised for periodic nasal exams—this way your healthcare provider can check for any nasal irritation, infection, or rare side effects. Lastly, if your child is using a nasal steroid spray, be sure to talk to his pediatrician. There is a small worry that nasal steroids may slightly slow the growth rate in children, so limiting their use to no more than two months a year is often advised. 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Hay fever and allergy medications. Seidman MD, Gurgel RK, Lin SY, et al. Clinical practice guideline: allergic rhinitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(1):S1-S43. doi:10.1177/0194599814561600 MedlinePlus. Nasal corticosteroid sprays. Additional Reading deShazo RD, Kemp SF. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. UpToDate. Dykewicz MS, Wallace DV, Baroody F, et al. Treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis: An evidence-based focused 2017 guideline update. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2017;119(6):489-511.e41. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2017.08.012. Wallace DV, Dykewicz MS, Oppenheimer J, Portnoy JM, Lang DM. Pharmacologic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis: synopsis of guidance from the 2017 Joint Task Force on Practice Parameter. Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(12):876. doi:10.7326/M17-2203 By Daniel More, MD Daniel More, MD, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist. He is an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and currently practices at Central Coast Allergy and Asthma in Salinas, California. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies