1)    Tilt chin down toward chest.  Since the nose and the throat are connected anatomically, if you're looking up when you use a nose spray the liquid can run into your throat, where it doesn't belong.

2)    Insert tip about halfway up nostril, then tilt it gently outward toward the outside corner of the eye.  Press mechanism firmly to spray medicine once.  Repeat for the other nostril.

3)    Gently hold the nostril closed for ~ 15 seconds to allow medicine to absorb, and then allow any extra to drip out onto a tissue.  DO NOT "snort" or sniff heavily, since this will pull medicine into your throat.

4)   If you are supposed to do 2 sprays per nostril, wait 30 seconds between them.

  If needed, blow your nose BEFORE using your nasal spray.  Try NOT to blow your nose for at

  least 5-10 minutes after using your spray, to allow the medicine to absorb.

  Some nose sprays (Nasonex, Flonase, Rhinocort Aqua, Nasacort Aqua, Nasarel) take 5-10 days 

  for full effect.  Do not use these products for a day or two and then give up because "it

  isn't working"!  Give the medicine a long enough trial to fairly assess whether it works for you.

  This may seem obvious, but medicine only works if you take it.  It's common for people to get

  so used to their allergies that they think they feel "normal".  Try to take whatever Dr. Storms,

  Julia or Nina recommends for at least a few weeks and pay attention to any differences in how

  you feel.  

Of course, if you have any questions or troublesome side effects, please call us at (719) 955-6000.