Seasonal allergy, also known as hay fever, is a condition that causes a runny nose, sneezing, itchy throat and eyes, and ear itching, typically in response to pollens from grass, trees, or weeds, as well as to airborne mold spores.
Moreover, allergic rhinitis can be triggered by common indoor allergens, like – dried skin flakes, mold, cockroach particles, and droppings from dust mites. This medical condition is called perennial allergic rhinitis, as the symptoms typically happen year-round.
Treatment for seasonal nasal allergies is determined by the persistence and severity of the symptoms and how these symptoms affect regular activities, especially sleep. Below are two popular allopathic medicines.
Dymista
It is a nasal spray medication, containing fluticasone propionate (0.037 percent) and azelastine hydrochloride (0.1 percent).
Azelastine is an antihistamine that works by blocking the effect of the chemicals produced in the human body in response to an allergy trigger. Fluticasone is a potent anti-inflammatory steroid drug, that helps to treat the inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by an allergy, like – seasonal allergic rhinitis. This nasal spray is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Uses
This prescription drug is approved by the FDA for treating seasonal nasal allergy symptoms.
Dosage
For seasonal allergic rhinitis, the usual recommended dose is 1 spray per nostril, once per day. It is prescribed to treat seasonal nasal allergy symptoms in children as young as 12 years old and adults.
Prime this nasal spray if you haven’t used it for two weeks or more as well as before first use.
Any remaining solution should be discarded 180 days after the nasal spray is first opened, due to the fact that it could be contaminated with germs or dirt.
Side Effects And Precautions
Common side effects may include:
- nosebleed;
- a sore throat;
- drowsiness;
- immune system problems which can considerably increase the risk of infections;
- cataracts;
- glaucoma;
- oral thrush, a fungal infection in the throat, mouth, and nose;
- slow wound healing;
- a cough;
- sinus pain;
- headaches;
- altered sense of taste.
Rare side effects may include:
- seeing halos;
- eye pain;
- blurred vision;
- severe nosebleeds;
- any wound that will not heal;
- noisy breathing;
- nausea;
- crusting around the nostrils;
- vomiting;
- chills;
- fever;
- white patches in the throat and mouth.
Before using this nasal spray, tell your healthcare specialist if you have:
- a nose injury;
- type 2 diabetes mellitus;
- allergies to any type of medicines;
- cataracts;
- glaucoma;
- surgery on the nose;
- ulcers inside the nose;
- any type of infection;
- tuberculosis;
- herpes simplex virus of the eyes.
Use extra caution when driving a car or operating any machinery because this medicine may cause drowsiness. Additionally, it may interact with other drugs which make you sleepy, including:
- HIV/AIDS medications;
- telaprevir or boceprevir;
- blood pressure or heart drugs;
- antifungals;
- antibiotics;
- narcotic pain medicines;
- nefazodone;
- imatinib;
- muscle relaxers;
- isoniazid;
- sleeping pills;
- conivaptan;
- medicines for seizures;
- allergy medicines.
Avoid getting this nasal spray in your eyes. However, if you do, rinse the eyes with water.
Nasacort
It is a nasal spray that contains the active ingredient triamcinolone acetonide, a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid. It works by reducing the inflammation level in the nasal passages, therefore, it helps to eliminate or reduce symptoms, like – stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, and itching.
It was the first steroid nasal spray that has become available OTC in the United States.
Uses
It is typically used to prevent and treat year-round and seasonal allergy symptoms (like – itchy eyes/nose/throat, stuffy/runny nose, and sneezing). The FDA approved this nasal spray for use in both children as young as two years old and adults.
Dosage
The usual recommended dose for children as young as two years old and adults is 2 sprays in each nostril once per day.
Note – if this medicine has not been used for more than 14 weeks, it must be primed.
Side Effects And Precautions Of Triamcinolone Acetonide
Common side effects may include:
- nosebleeds;
- nose/throat irritation;
- watery eyes;
- a cough;
- nausea;
- sneezing, especially after using this nasal spray;
- unpleasant taste and smell;
- burning in the nose;
- vomiting;
- headaches;
- a sore throat.
Rare side effects may include:
- blurred vision;
- nausea;
- seeing halos around lights;
- flu symptoms;
- eye pain;
- weakness;
- white patches inside the nose or mouth;
- tiredness;
- easy bleeding;
- unusual weakness;
- body aches;
- chills;
- fever;
- weight loss;
- loss of appetite.
Ask your healthcare professional if it’s safe for you to use this nasal spray if you have other medical conditions, including:
- asthma;
- any type of infection;
- recent surgery on your nose;
- ulcers in your nose;
- cataracts;
- glaucoma.
Dymista vs Nasacort – Which Is Best For Relieving Seasonal Nasal Allergy Symptoms?
Both these medicines are actually a steroid nasal spray, but they contain a different substance. Dymista is only available with a prescription, on the other hand, Nasacort is available over-the-counter. However, your doctor should decide which one is better for you because both have plenty of side effects.
6 Home Remedies For Seasonal Nasal Allergy Symptoms
#1 Neti Pots
It can flush out allergens and loosens mucus by rinsing your nasal cavity with a saline solution.
#2 Probiotics
According to recent studies, individuals who suffer from seasonal nasal allergies may benefit from using probiotics due to a healthy gut.
#3 Homeopathy & Acupuncture
Both these natural remedies have been used successfully to help with seasonal allergies for centuries. Typically, the treatment is focused toward supporting the immune system and clearing the nasal passages.
#4 Apple Cider Vinegar
Taking 1 tbs of organic ACV every morning works by reducing inflammation and blocking the body’s histamine reaction.
#5 Bromelain
Extracted from pineapple stems and juice, this enzyme reduces inflammation caused by histamines (biologically active substances) in the sinus and nasal cavities. According to research, bromelain is most beneficial to allergy patients when taken in combination with anti-histamine medicines.
#6 Eucalyptus Essential Oil
The dried leaves of this medicinal plant make a scented essential oil which is typically used for allergy relief, because of its capacity to reduce inflammation levels in the body.
Moreover, its potent antimicrobial attributes help to remove the source of the allergen by killing off allergy-causing pathogens. Try breathing this essential oil in from the bottle or diffusing it into the air to provide you with comfort.
Images source – Shutterstock & Getty
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References https://www.jwatch.org/na36933/2015/02/18/do-nasal-steroids-stunt-growth https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2868867/