Internal Medicine

Nasal spray for an allergy

introduction

Hay fever, which is widespread in spring and summer is often associated with symptoms in the nose area. Those affected suffer from a constantly runny nose, also known as runny nose. Itching of the nasal mucous membrane can also occur.

Various nasal sprays for topical use are available to relieve these symptoms. They contain different antiallergic ingredients. Most of the preparations can be obtained from pharmacies without a prescription.

These active ingredients help against the allergy

Nasal sprays that are used to treat allergy symptoms can contain various antiallergic agents.
One of these groups of active ingredients are the so-called Mast cell stabilizers. Mast cells are cells in the body's immune system. They play an essential role in the human body's allergy cascade. If there is allergen contact, mast cells are activated. These contain messenger substances such as histamine, which they release into the bloodstream after activation. Histamine then causes the typical allergic symptoms such as runny nose.

Medicines from the group of mast cell stabilizers prevent the release of histamine from mast cells and thus drastically reduce the allergic symptoms. A typical representative from the active ingredient group of mast cell stabilizers is Cromoglicin (acid). This active ingredient is available for topical use in the form of eye drops or nasal sprays. An example of a nasal spray that contains cromoglicicic acid is Cromo Nasenspray ® from various suppliers such as Ratiopharm or 1A Pharma.

Another group of active ingredients found in antiallergic nasal sprays are antihistamines. They prevent the messenger substance histamine from working on its histamine receptors. This significantly reduces the allergic effect of histamine. Typical antihistamines found in nasal sprays are Azelastine or Levocabastine. Antihistamine nasal sprays are for example Vividrin akut ®, Pollival ®, Allergodil akut ® or Livocab ® nasal spray.

In addition to the nasal sprays mentioned, there are also those that contain cortisone-containing active ingredients. Typical active ingredients are Mometason, Fluticasone or Beclometasone. Preparations containing cortisone are anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic. Typical preparations from this group are Nasonex ®, Mometahexal ®, Otri-Allergie ® and Rhinivict ®.

More information on this topic: Therapy for an allergy

This is how nasal sprays work with an allergy

As already described in the previous section, there are various antiallergic agents that can be found in nasal sprays. The mechanisms of action differ depending on the active ingredient group. What they all have in common is that they reduce allergy symptoms.

While nasal sprays that contain antihistamines block the binding of histamine to its receptors, mast cell stabilizers reduce the release of histamine. Preparations containing cortisone have an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect through various mechanisms of action.

All three groups of active ingredients provide significant relief from runny nose and irritation symptoms in the area of the nasal mucosa. Nasal sprays containing cortisone usually take a little longer to take effect.

Learn more about the topic at: These drugs help if you have an allergy

That's how long I can use a nasal spray against allergies

In the case of nasal sprays, which are used to treat allergic symptoms, there is - in contrast to conventional nasal drops for a blocked nose - no fixed time limit for use in the context of infections.
Both antihistamine nasal sprays and cortisone-containing nasal sprays can be used for as long as necessary. However, it should only be used if a significant improvement in the symptoms can be achieved.

These nasal sprays with cortisone are available

There are now numerous nasal sprays containing cortisone. However, they do not contain the active ingredient cortisone in the actual sense, but active ingredients from the same class of active ingredients as cortisone, namely the glucocorticoids. Typical active ingredients that are contained in nasal sprays are Mometasone, beclomethasone and fluticasone.

Some preparations may be mentioned here as examples: Nasonex ® nasal spray, Mometahexal ® nasal sprays, Otri-Allergie ® nasal spray, Rhinivict ® nasal spray, Momeallerg ® nasal spray, Ratioallerg ® nasal spray.

More information can be found here: Nasal spray with cortisone

Is there a nasal spray with cortisone without a prescription?

In contrast to antiallergic eye drops containing cortisone, which can usually only be purchased with a prescription, most nasal sprays containing cortisone no longer require a prescription. They can therefore be purchased over the counter in pharmacies without presenting a prescription.
The non-prescription nasal sprays containing cortisone include, among others Ratioallergy ®, Rhinivict ®, Mometahexal ®, Otri-Allergie ® and Momeallerg ®.

These prescription nasal sprays are available

While a few years ago most nasal sprays containing cortisone were only available on prescription, many of these nasal sprays are now available for sale over the counter. However, there are still a few exceptions.
For example, when purchasing Nasonex ® Nasenspray, Mometasonfuorat ® Nasenspray, Momegalen ® Nasenspray, Beclometason Ratiopharm ® Nasenspray and Avamys ® Nasenspray a prescription must be presented. Over-the-counter alternatives are listed in the previous section.

Since eye involvement is also common, you might also be interested in this topic: Eye drops for an allergy

Risks / side effects of nasal sprays for allergy

Antiallergic nasal sprays have relatively few side effects. However, there are some possible side effects to be aware of. Nasal sprays containing cortisone can cause the following side effects:

Irritation symptoms in the area of the nose and throat - these include, for example, burning or tingling sensations
Drying out of the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, which in turn can lead to increased nosebleeds
The appearance of ulcers in the area of the nasal mucosa is favored
It can lead to disturbances of the smell and taste sensation
Headaches are possible
possibly increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections

Learn more about the topic at: Side effects of cortision

Nasal sprays that contain cromoglicic acid or antihistamines may also be too Irritation in the nose and throat area, a headache such as Taste disorders to lead.

You might also be interested in this: Epistaxis from nasal spray