Allergy season is nearly upon us, and in some parts of the country it's already here. Many people suffer from hay fever and similar allergies, but a surprising number of them seem to be unaware of an over-the-counter allergy medicine that really works. It's called Nasalcrom (cromolyn sodium).
Nasalcrom comes in a spray bottle. You squirt it into your nostrils. It inhibits the mast cells (mastocytes) in the sinuses from reacting to pollen and other irritants. If the mast cells don't react, allergy symptoms won't develop.
Most other allergy treatments address the symptoms of allergies - runny nose, sneezing, etc. Nasalcrom addresses the source of the problem.
It's not habit-forming and has no side effects. Generic versions are also available. If your local drugstores don't carry it, Nasalcrom can be ordered online.
Why don't more people use Nasalcrom? Part of the reason may be that it takes a while to become effective. You have to use it for a week or two and let it build up over time. Some people seem to lack the patience; they try it for a couple of days, get no relief, and give up.
Also, Nasalcrom is most effective when you start taking it a week or two before allergy season begins. But many people seem to wait until their allergies are already acting up. The product will still work, even if started late, but it may take longer to have an effect.
Maybe there are some allergy sufferers who won't respond to Nasalcrom, but many (like me) will benefit greatly from it. If you have seasonal allergies and haven't used Nasalcrom, give it a try. Your nose may thank you.
Thanks for that news, MP. I've been using Nasonex, which also requires buildup to be effective, and it costs a lot more. I'll try this.
I was prescribed a small bottle of eyedrops called PATANOL. It is prescription only. But it's amazing stuff. 2 drops in the eye and it immediately puts the fire out. Expensive for such a small bottle, but it lasts and it provides immediate relief.
Posted by: dmduncan | February 16, 2009 at 03:45 PM
I've been using Nasonex, which also requires buildup to be effective, and it costs a lot more. I'll try this.
You may want to try both. Nasalcrom can be used in conjunction with steroidal sprays.
Posted by: Michael Prescott | February 16, 2009 at 06:08 PM
Ever since the family moved to the allergy capital of the the US, the belt between Austin and Dallas, my whole family has been miserable.
At first, I thought I was allergic to George W. Bush, since he now lives 15 minutes from me, but low and behold, it's my old buddy Mountain cedar.
To be honest, I was sneezing while reading this post, and am now totally congested and itchy.
If I get this product and it works, I will dance around singing the praises of medium, David Thompson... ok, that's not true, but my newly cleared nasal passages might now be able to allow the magic "ectoplasm" to flow freely so that Louis Armstrong can manifest himself and play a harmonica song for us all to enjoy. :-)
Posted by: Marcel Cairo | February 16, 2009 at 11:56 PM
I like Zicam's swabs over a spray. I've been using Zyrtec for the juniper season which really gets me going. It takes a while to overcome the groggyness. I'll give this a try and see if I like it better.
Posted by: patrick prescott | February 17, 2009 at 11:15 AM
And remember; Nasalcrom spelled backwards is morclasan.
Posted by: Bill I. | February 17, 2009 at 10:21 PM
And remember; Nasalcrom spelled backwards is morclasan
I think that's their slogan!
Posted by: Michael Prescott | February 17, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I urge you to go to Kevin Kelly's "Cool Tools" site (the successor to the hole Earth Catalog, which he edited) and submit Nasalcrom as a coll tool. Click the "submit a tool" link in the top left.
While you're there, check out the review, three items down at the moment, of "The Deniers," a sympathetic look at critics of the hypothesis of manmade global warming.
Posted by: Roger Knights | February 18, 2009 at 07:33 AM
I've been using this stuff for a few days since reading this. Haven't breated easier in a long time. Thank-you.
Posted by: sonic | February 20, 2009 at 04:10 AM
Glad it's working for you! I wish more people knew about it.
Posted by: Michael Prescott | February 20, 2009 at 12:16 PM
By the way, another useful product for allergy sufferers is the neti pot. It cleans the pollen out of your nasal passages. Just don't use it right after spraying the Nasalcrom, or you'll wash the medicine away!
Posted by: Michael Prescott | February 21, 2009 at 01:03 PM