About Nasal Allergies
An allergy is an overreaction of your body's immune system to substances that usually cause no reaction in most individuals. In the case of nasal allergies—or allergic rhinitis—the reaction can be common nasal allergy symptoms—congestion, sneezing, and an itchy or runny nose. Nasal allergy symptoms are triggered by substances like pollen, molds, dust mites, and animal dander. For people allergic to these common substances, symptoms can be quite bothersome.
Allergy statistics
- In the US, the prevalence of allergies across all populations has been increasing since the early 1980s.
- Experts suggest that allergies affect as many as 40 to 50 million Americans.
- Pollen allergies are one of the most common chronic conditions in America.
- Nasal allergies are believed to affect 20 percent of all adults and up to 40 percent of children.
- The most common pet-related allergy trigger is cat dander, to which about 10 million Americans have a reaction.
Find much more information on nasal allergies within these sections:
Is It Nasal Allergies or a Cold?
Symptoms can be similar, but treatment methods are different. Learn how to identify the differences.
Why We Get Allergies
Find out about the causes of allergies, from substances in the environment to genetics.
Nasal Allergy Symptoms
Learn about the causes of congestion and other common nasal allergy symptoms.
Outdoor vs. Indoor Allergies
Learn the difference between outdoor and indoor nasal allergy triggers, and where common allergens of each type can be found.
Allergens
Get more details about some of the common outdoor or seasonal substances that trigger nasal allergy symptoms in your region.
Symptom Severity Assessment
Evaluate the severity of your nasal allergy symptoms in a format that makes it easy to discuss them with your doctor.
For the treatment of seasonal and perennial nasal allergy symptoms...
NASONEX® is a prescription nasal allergy spray approved for the treatment of seasonal and perennial nasal allergy symptoms in adults and children 2 years of age and older. Taken just once a day as directed by your doctor, NASONEX® helps relieve nasal allergy symptoms. These symptoms are itchy nose, runny nose, sneezing and congestion. NASONEX® helps by treating nasal allergy symptoms caused by dust mites, pet dander, even tree and grass pollen. Improvement can occur within 11 hours of initial treatment (based on studies done in a park during the pollen season and in a controlled pollen exposure room). The maximum benefit of NASONEX® is usually achieved within 1 to 2 weeks.
To help prevent most seasonal nasal allergy symptoms...
NASONEX® is the only prescription nasal spray clinically proven and FDA-approved to help prevent most seasonal nasal allergy symptoms in adults and children 12 years and older in addition to treating them once they occur. To help prevent most seasonal nasal allergy symptoms before they start, begin treatment 2 to 4 weeks before the anticipated start of the pollen season. It is important that you take NASONEX® regularly at the time recommended by your doctor, since its effectiveness depends on regular use.
And treatment of nasal polyps...
NASONEX® is proven effective to treat nasal polyps in patients 18 years and older.
Ask your doctor about NASONEX®
Talk to your doctor or health care professional to see whether NASONEX® is right for you or your child.
Important Safety Information About NASONEX®
Side effects were generally mild and included headache, viral infection, sore throat, nosebleeds, and coughing.
For additional important product information, see the NASONEX® Prescribing Information.
Available by prescription only.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
This site is intended for use by U.S. residents.
NASONEX is a registered trademark of Schering Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.