When temperatures start to heat up, everyone is excited to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. There’s just one downfall of the changing temperatures: allergies. The transition from winter to spring often brings with it sneezing, congestion, runny noses, and other frustrating symptoms. That’s where over-the-counter nasal sprays can help! Here’s our recommendations for 4 of the best over-the-counter nasal sprays:
1. Flonase
FLONASE is a 24-hour, all-in-one allergy relief. It helps relieve sneezing, runny noses, itchy noses, itchy eyes, and watery eyes. What sets FLONASE apart from other over-the-counter allergy medicine is that it offers more complete allergy symptom relief compared to other nasal sprays. Not only does it help with the common allergy symptoms, but it also relieves nasal congestion. We recommend using FLONASE once a day during allergy season — it’s designed to control your allergies all day and all night!
2. Nasacort
Nasacort provides powerful nasal allergy congestion relief from both indoor and outdoor allergies. This over-the-counter nasal spray contains the #1 doctor recommended type of medicine for nasal allergy congestion. Nasacort works at the source to relieve nasal allergy congestion for a full 24 hours, meaning it blocks more of the chemical responses that can cause allergy symptoms than antihistamines. Nasacort has both powerful relief for adults and effective relief for children.
3. Oxymetazoline
Oxymetazoline nasal spray is used not only for allergy relief, but also for nasal discomfort caused by colds and hay fever, sinus congestion and pressure. It works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages — dilated blood vessels are what can cause nasal congestion. Oxymetazoline nasal spray is recommended for use every 10-12 hours, and no more than twice in a 24-hour period.
4. Nasal Saline
Saline nasal sprays provide natural allergy relief. Over-the-counter saline sprays and rinses help clear the nasal lining and are often used at the end of the day. If you’re looking for a simple remedy, this is it! Studies have shown that saline solution can restore moisture to dry nasal passages and curb inflammation of mucous membranes. It can also help treat rhinitis and sinusitis by keeping cilia (the small hair-like structures in your nose) healthy.
Bonus: Cool Mist Humidifiers
If you don’t want to try one of these over-the-counter nasal sprays, we recommend a cool mist humidifier. Cool mist humidifiers use a fan to evaporate water into the air. These are helpful in easing respiratory and sinus discomfort related to allergies, colds, coughs and other illnesses because they shrink swollen nasal passages. Many people sleep with a cool mist humidifier to help them breathe easier at night!
Are you interested in using any of these over-the-counter nasal sprays to help ease your allergy or cold symptoms? Reach out to us at Hines Street Pharmacy! Give us a call or come visit us — we’re happy to help you find the best nasal spray for you.
