Nasal Allergies

[qol]

I have eye/nasal allergies and I was looking for a nasal spray since I have dry eye and didn't want to put any drops with BAK in them. However, when I was checking the ingredients of several nasal sprays they also contained the BAK preservative. I am hestitant to take anything with BAK in it, as I am pretty sure the eye drops I took for 3 months greatly contributed to my dry eye.

Anyone have an idea if BAK is safe in a nasal spray, or have any suggestions for a nasal spray to try? I am seeing an eye doctor soon, but I wanted to see if anyone had any ideas about BAK in nasal sprays?

Thanks for any info in advance.

[msienkiewicz]

Just a thought...

I have not used one, but I have a friend who does - the neddi pot (spelling) with the saline solution which is supposed to rinse out your sinuses and clear them of allergies and such. My friend swears by it; I'm afraid I would choke to death!

Melissa

[gz9gjg]

Hello qol,

I recently saw an allergy specialist. at the Mayo Clinic I moved from MI to AZ 2 1/2 years ago, and have found springtime here kicks my allergies into really high gear. He told me to use a nasal moisturizing spray called "Ocean", "Allertec" (generic OTC Zyrtec) and prescribed Nasonex nasal spray 2x per day.

The "Ocean" spray is mainly to rinse out allergens in the nose. I blow my nose after using it, so whatever is in the spray doesn't stay in my nose for long. The Nasonex causes me no irritation or dryness problems so far.

The combination of the Nasonex and Allertec has given me nearly complete relief. My nose and sinuses were congested, and my eyes were red, irritated and dry. Now I am wearing my RGPs comfortably again and dropping the convertible top (while the mornings are still cool).

Good luck,

Lynne
Phoenix, AZ

[Scout]

I have eye/nasal allergies and I was looking for a nasal spray since I have dry eye and didn't want to put any drops with BAK in them. However, when I was checking the ingredients of several nasal sprays they also contained the BAK preservative. I am hestitant to take anything with BAK in it, as I am pretty sure the eye drops I took for 3 months greatly contributed to my dry eye.

Anyone have an idea if BAK is safe in a nasal spray, or have any suggestions for a nasal spray to try? I am seeing an eye doctor soon, but I wanted to see if anyone had any ideas about BAK in nasal sprays?

Thanks for any info in advance.

BAK in allergy drops were really bad for me as well. The allergy drop controlled my allergies but over the long run really made my dry eyes worse.

BAK in nasal sprays are equally problematic. There are medical studies posted in the literature and medical studies forum to that effect. Here is one I found on medline [emphasis added]:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...ubmed_RVDocSum
Am J Rhinol. 2006 May-Jun;20(3):243-7.
Benzalkonium chloride and nasal mucociliary clearance: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, double-blind trial.
Rizzo JA, Medeiros D, Silva AR, Sarinho E.
Research Center in Allergy and Immunology, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Benzalkonium chloride (BKC) has been considered an innocuous preservative for prescription drugs.
METHODS: We performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover, single-center trial with a 3-week washout period in 43 healthy volunteers comparing the effect of 3-week use of saline nasal spray containing BKC 0.01% to preservative-free saline t.i.d. on nasal mucociliary clearance rate. Evaluations were done at the beginning and the end of each period by gamma-scintigraphy with technetium99m-labeled strontium.
RESULTS: Nasal mucociliary clearance rate was significantly impaired by BKC with a difference of 1.23 mm x min(-1) (p < 0.01) between periods.
CONCLUSION: BKC in the concentration used in nasal preparations impaired mucociliary clearance in healthy individuals after 3 weeks of use. Presently, when preservative-free alternatives are available, BKC could be a risk without benefit.

PMID: 16871922 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Risk without benefit doesn't sound good to me.

I would second msienkiewicz's advice. I have not tried it but there are many people I know that swear by the neti pot. Some people use acupuncture and accupressure or myofacial massage to release the nasal passages as well.

Good Luck,

Scout

[Teri]

I had no idea that BAK was also in some nasal sprays, so I cannot comment on that aspect of your question. But I did used to use Nasonex every fall and spring. Once my dry eye started (post-PRK), I discovered that the Nasonex was drying the crap out of my eyes.

It is my understanding (from my own research as well as discussions with my doctors) that nasal sprays are generally a safer choice (dry-eye-wise) than antihistamines, but they can still be drying. The good news is that if you try a nasal spray and discover that it does make your eyes noticeably drier, you can discontinue it and it shouldn't do any long-term damage. (As in, you try it, your eyes feel worse, you stop it, your eyes feel like they did before.) You could also try something like Singulair, which is an oral steroid. It might not dry your eyes out, but if it does, just don't take it again.

I use a neti pot, which you can get at some drug stores, health food stores, and online (I got mine on Amazon). You mix a saline solution in it (using extra-fine salt that they sell specifically for this purpose) and pour it through your nasal passages. (Really no danger at all of choking...if it goes down your throat, you're not doing it right!) It is quite effective at rinsing pollen and other allergens from your nasal passages and has helped keep my allergy symptoms at a reasonable level now that I no longer use any allergy meds.

Good luck finding something that works for you!
Teri

[qol]

Thanks everyone for all your help and advice. I had actually just heard about the neti pot a few days ago in a magazine I was reading. I think I may give it a shot and see how it works.

[bernmee]

I tried the pot but just could not use it...but I really believe t is the way to go.

Teri is right about the salt. You need to use an unprocessed salt, such as celtic salt, and not the processed table salt that you would buy in the store.

Bernadette

[lilahp]

Hello, I am currently using a sea salt spray - that's the only ingredient. Cannot recall the name, and it's not real cheap, but it's quite refreshing and gentle. I've tried a neti pot and other sprays, and this has been the best one so far for me. It's a mainstream brand.