What is Flonase?

Flonase is a nasal spray that contains fluticasone propionate, a corticosteroid. It works by blocking the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation [1].

Flonase is mainly used to treat symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and itchy or watery eyes, often caused by seasonal or year-round allergies [1].

In addition to treating allergy symptoms, Flonase can help with nasal symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis. This condition involves inflammation of the nose lining, leading to symptoms like sneezing, a stuffy nose, or a runny and itchy nose [2].

Side effects of Flonase

Flonase is generally well-tolerated, but long-term use or high doses can lead to side effects. One serious potential side effect is an allergic reaction, including symptoms like hives, rash, light-headedness, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat [1, 3, 4, 5].

Another possible side effect of Flonase is a hormonal disorder related to the adrenal gland. This can cause symptoms like increased tiredness, muscle weakness, light-headedness, nausea, and vomiting [1, 3, 4, 5].

Flonase may also lead to nose sores or a yeast (fungal) infection in the nose or throat. These conditions can lead to symptoms like severe or persistent nosebleeds, noisy breathing, a runny nose, crusting around the nostrils, or redness, sores, or white patches in the mouth or throat [1, 3, 4, 5].

Flonase can also increase the risk of infections, leading to symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches [1, 5].

Flonase may cause eye-related side effects like cataracts or glaucoma, resulting in symptoms such as blurred vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights [1, 5].

It can also lead to weak bones or osteoporosis and may prevent wounds from healing properly [1, 5].

Common side effects of Flonase include minor nosebleeds, burning or itching in the nose, sores or white patches inside or around the nose, cough, trouble breathing, headache, back pain, sinus pain, sore throat, fever, nausea, or vomiting [1, 5].

Sinus infections

A sinus infection, or sinusitis, happens when the nasal cavities become infected, swollen, and inflamed. This leads to mucus buildup, which causes discomfort and pain. The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the facial bones that form the upper part of the respiratory tract, connecting the nose to the throat [6, 7].

Sinusitis is often caused by a virus and can linger even after other cold symptoms have cleared up. Sometimes, bacteria or, rarely, fungi can cause an infection. In adults, viruses are the cause of about 90% of sinus infections. Things that can block the sinuses from draining properly include a cold, hay fever, allergies, or even changes in air pressure [6, 7, 8].

Other factors that can cause sinus infections include nasal polyps, nasal tumours, allergies, and a deviated septum, which occurs when the wall between the nasal passages is crooked. Conditions like asthma, temperature or air pressure changes, and a weakened immune system can also raise the risk of developing a sinus infection [9, 10].

Sometimes, sinus infections can be caused due to immunologic deficiencies, allergic reactions, or exposure to chemical irritants. Environmental factors and individual health also contribute to the development of sinusitis. It can be caused by allergens, irritants, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. Common irritants include animal dander, polluted air, smoke, and dust [11, 12].

Can flonase make sinus infection worse

However, it's important to remember that these are potential side effects and not anyone using Flonase will experience them. If you're concerned about the potential for Flonase to worsen your sinus infection, it's best to discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Treating sinus infections

Sinus infections, or sinusitis, can be uncomfortable, leading to nasal congestion, facial pain, and a runny nose. The treatment for sinusitis depends on how severe the infection is and how long it lasts.

A common treatment for sinus infections is using nasal decongestant sprays like oxymetazoline. While these sprays can provide quick relief from symptoms, they should only be used for a few days, as using them for longer periods can worsen symptoms [6].

Steroid nasal sprays, like fluticasone (Flonase) or triamcinolone, can help relieve nasal congestion without the risk of worsening symptoms from long-term use [6].

Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines and decongestants can also be helpful, especially if allergies contribute to your symptoms. Some common options include Sudafed, cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin) [6].

Flushing out the nostrils can also help people with chronic rhinosinusitis or other sinus infections. This can be done using a Neti Pot with distilled water or over-the-counter premixed solutions [6].

In some cases, antibiotics like amoxicillin may be prescribed for acute sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection that hasn't improved with other treatments. A doctor may recommend antibiotics if symptoms last for 10 days or more without improvement or if symptoms get better but then worsen within 10 days [6].

In addition to these treatments, staying hydrated, drinking hot liquids like tea and broth, breathing in moist air from a shower or humidifier, resting your voice, sleeping upright with your head elevated, using sinus rinses, and applying a warm compress can also help relieve symptoms [6].