Allergies Health Center

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Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays

Corticosteroid nasal sprays are used to help allergy symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose. Here are some tips for using these sprays:

You may need to prime the sprayer before you use it. This means spraying it into the air a few times to make sure you get the right amount of medicine. Follow the directions on the label.
Blow your nose before you spray. This will help clear out your nostrils.
Gently sniff the medicine into your nose as you spray. Don’t snort, or the medicine will go all the way into your throat where it won’t do much good.
Aim the nozzle straight toward the back of your nose. This will help keep the medicine from irritating the inside walls of your nostril, especially your septum (the wall that separates your left and right nostrils).
Don’t blow your nose for 10 minutes or so after you spray. And try not to sneeze.
Clean your sprayer once a week. The label will tell you how.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised	July 28, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 28, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.