Nasal decongestants, antihistamine and steroids: What's the difference?

[Text on screen: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Nasal decongestants, antihistamine and steroids: What's the difference?]

[Music playing]

[Text on screen: Rekha Raveendran, MD
Division Director, Allergy/Immunology
Ohio State Wexner Medical Center]

Rekha Raveendran, MD: So there are three types of nasal sprays. One is a steroid, one is an antihistamine, and one is a decongestant, and they all work a little bit differently. With decongestant nasal sprays, what they will do is they will tighten up the blood vessels, and so that will help congestion go away pretty quickly. So they work very, very quickly, but in the long term, it can lead to more congestion over time. 

With nasal steroids, those are great in helping decrease inflammation. So just like a steroid would decrease inflammation if it was used in a tablet, this is meant for the nose to treat the inflammation right in that particular area. So people who have a lot of congestion, a lot of stuffiness, it's a great option for those patients. 

Nasal antihistamines are like taking Zyrtec or Claritin and putting them in your nose. They're great for drying up mucus, great for drying up drainage, can help with sneezing. They can also help with congestion as well. And sometimes we combine the nasal steroids and the nasal antihistamines for better efficacy.

[Text on screen: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
For more information, visit: wexnermedical.osu.edu/allergy]

[Music fades]