Why We Get Nasal Allergy Symptoms
Allergic reactions occur when the immune system encounters and overreacts to substances that are not genuinely harmful. These substances are called allergens.
In people who have nasal allergies, the immune system reacts to an airborne (inhaled) allergen by creating an antibody called immunoglobulin E, or IgE, that is designed to fight that specific allergen. This antibody-allergen complex attaches to certain cells in the nasal passages and causes the release of chemicals including histamine, which in turn cause inflammation.
The end result is nasal allergy symptoms—congestion, sneezing, and an itchy or runny nose. Some common examples of inhaled allergens are airborne pollens from some plants and trees, mold spores, and dog and cat dander.
Allergies and genetics
Just like many of your physical characteristics—such as hair or eye color and height—your susceptibility to allergies may be inherited. However, even with a genetic tendency, you don't automatically get allergies. Several factors must also be present in order for a person to develop an allergic sensitivity. These include:
- Specific inherited genes
- Exposure to the allergens you are genetically predisposed to react to
- The amount of, and length of, exposure to the allergens
For instance, even with a genetic likelihood to develop an allergy to dust mites, it may take several years of exposure to the allergen before allergy symptoms appear. This is why, as people age, they sometimes develop allergies to substances in their environment.
Your likelihood of inheriting allergies
If one of your parents had allergies, you have about a 30 percent chance of inheriting allergic tendencies. If both of your parents had allergies, your chance of having allergies increases to 70 percent.
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.