Choosing the best nasal spray for seasonal allergies
The changing of seasons is often accompanied by undesirable side effects known as . Seasonal allergies plague many people due to the sudden presence of specific plant pollen that only appears during certain times of the year.
can make us feel under the weather, but you don’t have to let irritating allergies ruin your fun plans. Nasal sprays are an effective way to relieve common allergy symptoms like congestion, sneezing and runny nose. We’ve included our top nasal spray picks for seasonal allergies so you can decide which one is best for you.
Shop this article: , ,
Types of nasal sprays
There are many different types of nasal sprays, all with different pros and cons. Figuring out which type of is best for you will help you narrow down your choices.
Decongestant nasal sprays
Decongestant nasal sprays work by temporarily shrinking the blood vessels inside your nasal passages, which often cause allergy symptoms and sinus pressure. Common decongestant nasal sprays include Afrin, Dristan and Sinex. While these tend to work quickly, you should not use them longer than three to five days, as prolonged use is not recommended.
Steroid nasal sprays
The most common type is a steroid nasal spray. These nasal sprays contain corticosteroids, which work to reduce inflammation. Some well-known steroid nasal sprays are Nasacort and Flonase. These aren’t fast-acting and instead work better after consistent use.
Saline nasal sprays
Saline sprays are great for those who want a natural approach to relieving their allergy symptoms. They contain no medication and are just a simple saline solution that works by flushing out your nasal passages. Because they are non-medicated, they may not reduce all .
Antihistamine nasal sprays
When you have an allergic reaction, your body produces histamines to get rid of the foreign invader, which could be , dust mites or seasonal allergens. The histamines cause typical allergy symptoms like sneezing, itching and runny nose. An antihistamine blocks the effects of histamine. These are only available by prescription.
How to use nasal sprays
While most nasal sprays have similar instructions, it’s vital to check the instructions on your nasal spray for specific instructions before following any other advice.
- Wash your hands.
- Clear your nasal passages by gently blowing your nose.
- Check your instructions to see if priming the bottle is necessary.
- Close the opposite nostril you plan on spraying.
- Breathe in deeply while spraying.
- Check instructions for the number of sprays necessary and if it needs to be repeated.
Best nasal spray for seasonal allergies
Afrin uses oxymetazoline in its formula, which is also present in many over-the-counter cold remedies. Afrin works by stimulating the constriction of blood vessels in your nasal passages.
Nasacort takes a few hours to start working but will provide relief for up to 24 hours. It is an intranasal corticosteroid, which works best for nasal congestion.
If your little one is suffering from seasonal allergies, this nasal spray is a great choice. It’s all-natural and non-medicated, working by flushing bacteria, airborne allergens and pollutants in your nasal passages.
The same non-medicated formula for kids is also available for adults. The main ingredient is xylitol, a natural substance found in fruits and vegetables.
Sinex uses oxymetazoline which relieves sinus pressure and shrinks swollen nasal membranes. It offers relief for up to 12 hours.
This version of Sinex is a drug-free saline nasal spray for those who prefer a more natural route to relieve seasonal allergies. The saline spray will clear your nasal passages of allergens, irritants and congestion.
Allergy symptoms are often caused by dilated blood vessels in your nasal passages. Bayer works by shrinking those blood vessels to relieve congestion and sinus pressure.
This non-drowsy nasal spray relieves your seasonal allergy symptoms for up to 24 hours. It uses the active ingredient fluticasone.
Dristan narrows the blood vessels in your nasal passages. This reduces swelling and congestion caused by allergies, offering relief for 12 hours.
Instead of focusing on damage control after experiencing allergy symptoms, NasalCrom works by preventing your nasal allergy symptoms before they even start. It is not an antihistamine nor a steroid.
This saline nasal mist is a natural way to experience allergy relief by flushing nasal passages without medication or steroids. It also moisturizes your nasal passages.
Mucinex is a fast-acting nasal spray that relieves allergy symptoms for up to 12 hours. It promotes nasal and sinus drainage to clear nasal passages.
FlutiCare is a glucocorticoid, which fights congestion, sneezing and runny nose. It’s non-drowsy and works for up to 24 hours.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our for the best products at the best prices and sign up to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
