Introduction
Hay fever, which is widespread in spring and summer, is often accompanied by symptoms in the nose area. Those affected suffer from a constantly running nose, also known as runny nose. Itching in the area of the nasal mucosa can also occur.
To relieve these symptoms, there are various nasal sprays for local application. They contain different anti-allergic active ingredients. Most preparations can be purchased over the counter from pharmacies.
These active ingredients help against the allergy
Nasal sprays, which are used to treat allergic symptoms, may contain various anti-allergic agents. One of these groups of active ingredients are the so-called mast cell stabilizers. Mast cells are cells of the body’s own immune system.
They play an essential role in the allergy cascade of the human body. If an allergen contact occurs, mast cells are activated. These contain messenger substances such as histamine, which they release into the bloodstream after their activation.
Histamine then causes the typical allergic symptoms such as runny nose. Drugs from the group of mast cell stabilizers prevent the release of histamine from mast cells and thus drastically reduce the allergic symptoms. A typical member of the group of mast cell stabilizers is cromoglicin(acid).
This active ingredient is available for local application in the form of eye drops or nasal sprays. An example of a nasal spray containing cromoglicic acid is Cromo Nasal Spray ® from various suppliers such as Ratiopharm or 1A Pharma. Another group of active ingredients contained in anti-allergic nasal sprays are antihistamines.
They prevent the effect of the messenger substance histamine on its histamine receptors. This significantly weakens the allergic effect of histamine. Typical antihistamines contained in nasal sprays are azelastine or levocabastine.
Antihistamine nasal sprays include Vividrin akut ®, Pollival ®, Allergodil akut ® or Livocab ® nasal spray. In addition to the nasal sprays mentioned, there are also those that contain active ingredients containing cortisone. Typical active ingredients are mometasone, fluticasone or beclometasone.
Cortisone-containing preparations have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. Typical preparations from this group are Nasonex ®, Mometahexal ®, Otri-Allergy ® and Rhinivict ®. As already described in the previous section, there are various antiallergic agents that can be contained in nasal sprays.
The mechanisms of action differ depending on the group of active ingredients. What they all have in common is that they contain the allergic symptoms. While nasal sprays containing antihistamines block the binding of histamine to its receptors, mast cell stabilizers cause a reduced histamine release.
Cortisone-containing preparations have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects via various mechanisms of action. All three groups of active ingredients provide significant relief from runny nose and irritation symptoms in the area of the nasal mucosa. Nasal sprays containing cortisone usually take a little longer to develop their full effect.
With nasal sprays used to treat allergic symptoms, there is – in contrast to conventional nasal drops used to treat congested noses – no fixed time limit for application in the context of infections. Both antihistamine nasal sprays and nasal sprays containing cortisone can be used for as long as necessary. However, they should only be used if a significant improvement in symptoms can be achieved.
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