Ep. 150: What Allergists Really Think About Your Allergy Nasal Spray
If you have ever grabbed a nasal spray off the pharmacy shelf, used it for a few days, and given up because nothing seemed to be happening, you are not alone. And according to the allergists we spoke to at the AAAAI conference in Philadelphia, that is not uncommon.
In this episode, Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta share real conversations with allergists from across the US about what they actually think about allergy nasal sprays.
What we cover in our episode about allergy nasal sprays
Why allergists love nasal steroid sprays. They work at the source of the problem by calming swelling inside the nose before your symptoms have a chance to take hold, and you can pick them up at the grocery store without a prescription.
You may not feel the nasal spray work right away. Nasal steroid sprays need about two weeks of consistent daily use before you feel a difference. The medication is working, you just cannot feel it yet. Do not give up early.
When to start before allergy season. Starting your spray a couple of weeks before your season hits means you go in with as little swelling inside your nose as possible, giving the medication the best chance to work.
Why so many patients stop using their spray. Incorrect technique causes irritation and nosebleeds, and means the medication is not landing where it needs to.
Not all nasal sprays smell or feel the same. If the smell or taste of your spray puts you off, there are options without it, and that is worth a conversation with your allergist or pharmacist.
Thank you to our allergists
A huge thank you to every allergist who stopped what they were doing at the AAAAI conference to talk to us. We could not make this episode without you.
We thank Opella for sponsoring this episode. While they support the show, all opinions are our own, and sponsorship doesn’t influence our content or editorial decisions. Any mention of brands is for informational purposes and not an endorsement.
Timestamps
Our episode asks allergists their opinions on steroid nasal sprays
03:20 Why allergists love nasal steroid sprays
04:16 How nasal steroid sprays work in the nose
06:57 Why consistency is key
09:45 When to start using your nasal spray
12:42 Why you should start two weeks before allergy season
17:30 How to use your nasal spray correctly
20:02 Why patients stop using their nasal spray
