How to Use a Steroid Nasal Spray During a Cold
Nasal steroid sprays (corticosteroid sprays) are typically used to treat hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and vasomoter rhinitis (non-allergic rhinitis). The symptoms of a cold can produce the same inflammation in the nasal passages, so nasal steroid sprays can be an effective treatment for reducing the inflammation due to a cold virus. Various brands of of nasal steroid sprays include fluticasone (Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), flunisolide (Nasarel), triamcinolone (Nasacort AQ), beclomethasone (Beconase AQ), ciclesonide (Omnaris) and budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua).
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
How to Use a Nasal Steroid Spray for a Cold
You can use nasal steroid sprays during a cold to relieve the inflammation caused by a cold or from a sinus infection as a result of a cold. If you have cold symptoms that go untreated, chronic or recurrent sinus infections can occur. You can find relief from using a nasal steroid spray. Its anti-inflammatory effects relieve the congestion that occurs as a result of a cold or sinus infection.
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Start using a steroid nasal spray early on in the cold to prevent congestion and blockages in your nasal passages that can lead to a sinus infection. Inhaled nasal steroids reduce tissue swelling and prevent your sinus passages from becoming blocked, allowing bacteria to pool and causing a sinus infection.
Use nasal steroid sprays during a cold regularly; once or twice a day for a week or more to obtain the full benefit of the medicine 2. Inflammation takes time to resolve, so it is important that you stick to your prescribed treatment plan when using inhaled nasal steroids. Nasal steroid sprays can be used either alone or along with antihistamines and decongestants.
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Shaking the nasal steroid spray container; blowing your nose and clearing out mucus from your nasal passages. Then close one nostril and while inserting the nasal applicator into the other nostril, inhale the spray through your nose after pressing on the applicator to release the medicine 2. Repeat the same procedure in the other nostril. Be sure to spray the number of sprays your doctor recommends, and use the medication for the full length of time prescribed by your doctor.
Tips
Be aware that you may experience minor side effects from nasal steroid sprays such as dryness and irritation in your nasal passages, an unpleasant smell or taste, headaches or nose bleeds. Always spray upwards, inside the nose and not towards the septum (bone between the nostrils) to avoid irritation of the nasal septum.
- You can use nasal steroid sprays during a cold to relieve the inflammation caused by a cold or from a sinus infection as a result of a cold.
- Use nasal steroid sprays during a cold regularly; once or twice a day for a week or more to obtain the full benefit of the medicine 2.
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References
- Web MD
- Bio Medicine
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Allergy & Asthma Medication Guide.
- National Health Service. Steroid Nasal Sprays.
- deShazo RD,KemoSF. (2017). Patient education: Allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies) (Beyond the Basics). In Corren J (Ed.),UpToDate.
- Kariyawasam HH, Scadding G.Seasonal allergic rhinitis: fluticasone propionate and fluticasone furoate therapy evaluated. J Asthma Allergy. 2010;3:19-28.
- deShazo RD, Kemp SF. (2018). Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. In Corren J, (Ed.), UpToDate.
- Dykewicz MS et al.Treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis: An evidence-based focused 2017 guideline update. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2017 Dec;119(6):489-511.e41. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2017.08.012.
- Wallace DV, Dykewicz MS, Oppenheimer J, Portnoy JM, Lang DM.Pharmacologic Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: Synopsis of Guidance From the 2017 Joint Task Force on Practice Parameter. Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(12):876. Epub 2017 Nov 28. doi:10.7326/M17-2203
Writer Bio
Jacqueline Trovato is a published writer with more than 25 years' experience in marketing communications and public relations. She specializes in health care communications. She holds a Bachelor of Science in education with a minor in psychology from James Madison University.