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Pharmacy Author:

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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In this Article

• Nasal allergy medication facts
• Nasal allergy (allergic rhinitis) medication introduction
• Nasal allergy symptoms: an overview of treatments
• What's the difference between a controller and a reliever?
• What are antihistamines?
• How do antihistamines work?
• What are common side effects of antihistamines?
• What are decongestants?
• How do decongestants work?
• When should I use topical decongestants?
• What are side effects of decongestants?
• What about combination antihistamine/decongestant preparations?
• Nasal steroid sprays
• Other nasal sprays that might help
• Tips for proper use of nasal sprays
• Find a local Asthma & Allergy Specialist in your town
• Nasal Allergy Medications Index

Tips for proper use of nasal sprays

Using a good technique in applying nasal sprays will help you achieve the maximum benefits from the medications and avoid certain side effects, such as nasal bleeding. The following are guidelines for proper spray technique:

• Clear your nasal passages with gentle nose blowing or a nasal decongestant for a few days when starting nasal steroids.
• Shake the container
• Place one finger over one nostril to close it off.
• Place the tip of the spray into the open nostril pointing away from the nasal septum (midline) and direct the spray straight back, not up into the tip of your nose.
• Activate the spray, sniffing in gently and deeply as you do so.
• Exhale through the mouth.
• Repeat these steps for the other nostril.
• Never "double" spray: always spray one nostril at a time and alternate nostrils each time.

REFERENCES:

MedscapeReference.com. Allergic Rhinitis.

MedscapeReference.com. Allergic Rhinitis Treatment & Management.

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