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Nasal allergy spray

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-15.

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Comparing three sprays

Details are from each product's DailyMed Drug Facts label. The Flonase label also lists relief of itchy, watery eyes along with nasal symptoms.

How fast they work

The Nasacort label says it may take up to one week of daily use to feel the most relief, and that you should stop use and ask a doctor if symptoms do not improve after one week. That is why steroid sprays are usually used every day through allergy season rather than only on bad days. Once your symptoms improve, the Nasacort label says to reduce from 2 sprays to 1 spray in each nostril once daily.

Astepro's label sets a daily limit instead: for ages 12 and over, do not use more than 4 sprays in each nostril in 24 hours.

These sprays are for allergy symptoms. The Nasacort label says not to use it for the common cold, and the Flonase label says not to use it to treat asthma. For a dry or stuffy nose, see our saline nasal spray guide for a non-medicine option.

Children

• Nasacort, ages 6 to under 12. 1 spray in each nostril once daily, which may go up to 2 sprays if symptoms do not improve, then back to 1 when they do. An adult should supervise use.
• Nasacort, ages 2 to under 6. 1 spray in each nostril once daily, with an adult supervising. Do not use in children under 2 years of age.
• Growth. The Nasacort label says the growth rate of some children may be slower while using it, and to talk to the child's doctor if the child needs to use the spray for longer than two months a year. Flonase says children 4 to 11 should not use it for more than 2 months a year.
• Astepro, ages 6 to 11. 1 spray in each nostril every 12 hours, no more than 2 sprays in each nostril in 24 hours, with an adult supervising. Do not use in children under 6.

Using a spray correctly

• Prime the bottle. Prime before first use. Nasacort says to re-prime if it has not been used for more than 2 weeks; Astepro says to re-prime if unused for 3 or more days.
• Bitter taste. Astepro suggests tilting your head downward while spraying to help avoid a bitter taste.
• Keep it out of your eyes and mouth. Both labels say do not spray into the eyes or mouth.
• Missed dose. Nasacort says if you forget a dose, do not double the next dose.
• Do not share the bottle with anyone else, since this may spread germs.
• Clean the nozzle if it gets clogged, as the labels direct.

Warnings to know

• Ask a doctor first if you have had recent nose ulcers or nose surgery, or a nose injury that has not healed. For Nasacort, also ask first if you are using a steroid medicine for asthma, allergies or a skin rash, have an eye infection, or have or had glaucoma or cataracts.
• Stop and ask a doctor if you have severe or frequent nosebleeds, any change in vision while using Nasacort, or if you have been exposed to chickenpox, measles or tuberculosis while using a steroid spray.
• Drowsiness. The Astepro label says drowsiness may occur; avoid alcoholic drinks, and use caution when driving a motor vehicle or operating machinery.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Ask a health professional before use.

Saline and other options

Saline sprays and rinses moisten the nose but are not allergy medicines, so they can be used alongside a medicated spray if your doctor agrees. For eye symptoms, see our allergy eye drops guide, and for bedding, our mattress protector guide. If you take more than one allergy product, compare active ingredients so you do not double up on the same medicine, and keep every spray out of reach of children.

For a scratchy throat during allergy season, see our throat lozenges guide.

What to look for when you buy

Questions people ask

How long does a steroid allergy spray take to work?

The Nasacort label says it may take up to one week of daily use to feel the most relief.

What is the difference between Flonase and Astepro?

Flonase is a glucocorticoid (fluticasone); Astepro is an antihistamine (azelastine) that may cause drowsiness.

Can kids use nasal allergy sprays?

Nasacort has directions from age 2 and Astepro from age 6; ask a doctor about use longer than two months a year.

Why do I need to prime the spray?

Priming readies the pump; re-prime after the gap each label lists, such as 2 weeks for Nasacort.

When should I stop using a nasal allergy spray?

Stop and ask a doctor for severe or frequent nosebleeds, vision changes, or no improvement after one week.

Sources

• Nasacort Allergy 24HR (triamcinolone acetonide) label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Astepro Allergy (azelastine HCl) label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Flonase Allergy Relief (fluticasone propionate) label (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov), DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Sources checked 2026-10-15.