Allergies Common Treatments Print Side Effects Caused by Nasal Steroid Sprays 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. Learn about our editorial process Daniel More, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on February 05, 2018 Sanja Jelic, MD is board-certified in pulmonary disease, sleep medicine, critical care medicine, and internal medicine. She is an assistant professor and attending physician at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, NY. Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD Updated on July 06, 2019 Allergies Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping dragana991 / Getty Images Short-term and long-term use of nasal steroid sprays is generally considered safe for children and adults, but you may experience some side effects if you use them. Side effects may only affect the superficial skin of the nasal passages or involve the sinuses, but they may be systemic, causing symptoms and complications that affect other areas of the body. Nasal steroid sprays are often used for treating allergies, and they are different than steroid irrigation and steroid injections. If you have just started using nasal steroids for allergies, it may be difficult to know whether some of your symptoms are side effects of the spray or if they are related to your allergies. Topical side effects are generally the most obvious and the most easily confused with allergies, while the systemic side effects are not as easily recognizable. Localized Side Effects The topical side effects of nasal steroids generally occur near the opening of the nasal passage, where you insert the nasal applicator, and rarely higher in your nostrils. They can occur right after you use the nasal spray or days afterward. Topical side effects commonly include: IrritationItchingDrynessRednessNosebleedsCrustingBurningInfectionNasal polyps Often, improper technique is the reason they occur. If you are starting to use nasal steroids, it helps to become familiar with the appropriate way to administer a nasal spray. While technique is important, it is possible to experience these side effects even when you use steroid nasal sprays as directed. Sometimes the side effects decrease as your body adjusts to the steroid spray, and sometimes the side effects persist or worsen. If you experience these symptoms, you talk to your doctor, who may suggest that you stop using your nasal steroid for a few days, and then re-start the medication using the proper technique to reduce your chances of having these side effects. This is especially important if bleeding and irritation of your nasal passages continue, as you may be at risk of more serious complications such as ulceration or septal perforation. Though not as common as the above, side effects related to the eyes and sinuses can result from nasal spray use as well. These may occur immediately after or days after use. Such side effects include: SneezingWatery eyesA runny nose or stuffinessHeadachesAftertasteA cough Systemic Side Effects There are several side effects of steroid nasal sprays that can involve other areas, but they are not common. These occur as the result of the steroid's effect on the body. For example, the drug can suppress your immune system, alter your hormone levels, or increase pressure in your eyes. Systemic complications from nasal steroids are very rare—they generally require months or years of use if they do appear. Systemic side effects include: Nausea or vomitingUpper respiratory tract infectionsAbnormal menstrual cyclesCataractsGlaucomaSystemic infection Growth and Behavior in Children There have been concerns about the prolonged use of nasal steroid sprays in children, specifically with regard to growth and behavior. So far, research suggests that nasal steroids are safe for children, but there is a chance of these side effects. Growth: Nasal steroids may have a small effect on a child’s vertical growth, particularly when used consistently and for a long period of time. It does not appear that the child's final height is affected, though—most of the growth slowing occurs during the first year of use, with final height remaining intact.Behavior: There has been some concern about hyperactivity, irritability, or behavioral problems in children who regularly use nasal steroid sprays. The studies show mixed results, so it is best to be aware of the potential problem and to observe your child closely for behavioral changes if he or she is using a nasal steroid spray. Contraindications If you have cataracts or glaucoma, or a family history of these diseases, using nasal steroids can put you at risk of exacerbation of these conditions. If you will use nasal steroids, it is recommended that you have routine annual eye exams by a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist. If you have adrenal disease, it is possible that using nasal steroids could exacerbate your disease, particularly if you use them frequently and for a long period of time. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article 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. Chang GH, Wang WH. Intranasal fungal (Alternaria) infection related to nasal steroid spray. Am J Otolaryngol. 2013;34(6):743-5. doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2013.07.016 Sastre J, Mosges R. Local and systemic safety of intranasal corticosteroids. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2012;22(1):1-12. Bridgeman MB. 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