Glossary

allergy
A defensive reaction by the body's immune system to a normally harmless substance. Someone with a pet allergy may start sneezing when they're around cats, for example.

allergen
A substance that can trigger allergy symptoms in people who are sensitive to it. Common allergens include pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander.

allergic inflammation
Swelling caused by an allergic reaction. In nasal allergies, allergic inflammation, or swelling, occurs inside the nose and can result in symptoms like sneezing, runny, itchy nose, and congestion.

allergy symptoms
The ways your body responds when it's exposed to something you're allergic to. Sneezing, runny, itchy nose, and congestion are all common nasa allergy symptoms.

allergy trigger
Something that causes your body to have allergy symptoms. If you're allergic to pollen, for example, breathing in pollen may trigger your nasal allergy symptoms, or make them start.

ciclesonide
The medicine in OMNARIS Nasal Spray. Ciclesonide (sye-KLES-oh-nide) is a man-made corticosteroid that is considered well tolerated and generally safe at recommended doses. Once inside the nasal passages, ciclesonide is quickly converted to an active form, des-ciclesonide — an effective anti-inflammatory agent. It helps reduce swelling inside nasal passages, which in turn helps to relieve nasal allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny, itchy nose, and congestion.

congestion
Blockage. Nasal congestion occurs when your nasal passages become blocked with mucus, making it difficult to breathe through your nose.

copay (co-pay)
A set amount of money you must pay for a medicine or medical service when you have health insurance. Insurance companies use co-pays to share health care costs.

corticosteroid
A natural anti-inflammatory substance made in the body. Man-made versions of corticosteroids are used in some types of allergy and asthma medicines. They are NOT the same as the kind of steroids you may hear about some athletes misusing.

dander
Skin flakes that are shed from an animal (or person). Many pet allergies are caused by animal dander, which can be found in the animal's fur, on furniture where it sleeps, and in household dust.

dust allergy
Nasal allergy symptoms triggered by household dust. Household dust may contain a number of potentially allergenic substances including pollen, mold, pet dander, insect droppings, and dust mites.

dust mite allergy
Nasal allergy symptoms triggered by exposure to dust mites. Dust mites are tiny, 8-legged creatures related to spiders, and they live and multiply easily in warm, humid places. They eat particles of skin and dander, and are found in household dust, soft furniture, and in bedding.

fall allergies
Nasal allergy symptoms that appear or worsen in the late summer and autumn. Fall allergies are usually triggered by exposure to weed pollen (especially ragweed). Also known as hay fever.

formulation
A mixture prepared according to a specific formula (think of it like a recipe).

grass allergy
Nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to grass pollen. Most grass allergy symptoms peak in late spring and early summer. Although many species of grass grow in North America, only a few types cause allergy symptoms — these include Timothy, Kentucky bluegrass, Bermuda grass, orchard grass, and sweet vernal grass.

hay fever
An informal term for nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to outdoor allergens such as pollen and airborne mold spores. People with hay fever usually have symptoms for part of the year. Also referred to as outdoor allergies, seasonal allergies, or seasonal allergic rhinitis.

HEPA filter
A special filter that can trap very small particles, including pollen and dust mites (HEPA stands for "high efficiency particulate air"). A true HEPA filter can trap more than 99% of particles smaller than .3 microns (the standard for testing) — it will always be printed with a serial number and its actual test results.

indoor allergies
Nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to indoor allergens such as dust, dust mites, indoor mold and mildew, pets, and cockroaches. People with indoor allergies have symptoms all year long. Also referred to as year-round allergies, or perennial allergic rhinitis.

inflammation
Swelling. See "allergic inflammation."

intranasal corticosteroid (INS)
A corticosteroid medicine used in some nasal allergy sprays, including OMNARIS Nasal Spray. They are NOT the same as the kind of steroids you may hear about some athletes misusing. See "corticosteroid".

mold allergy
Nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to mold spores (microscopic reproductive particles produced by all fungi, including mold and mildew). Outdoors, mold spores are airborne and contribute to outdoor (seasonal) nasal allergy symptoms. Indoors, mold and mildew grow in damp areas throughout the house and contribute to indoor nasal allergy symptoms, all year long.

nasal allergies
Allergies that cause symptoms in the nose. Sneezing, runny, itchy nose, and congestion are all common nasal allergy symptoms.

nasal allergy symptoms
Allergy symptoms that occur in the nose. Sneezing, runny, itchy nose, and congestion are all common nasal allergy symptoms.

nasal passages
The upper part of airways that lead from your nose and mouth to your lungs. The nasal passages are the airways inside your nose and face, and include your sinuses.

outdoor allergies
Nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to outdoor allergens such as pollen and airborne mold spores. People with outdoor allergies usually have symptoms for part of the year. People with both indoor and outdoor allergies may have symptoms all year long, but they may worsen during part of the year. Also referred to as seasonal allergies, or seasonal allergic rhinitis.

over-the-counter allergy medicine
Allergy medicine that may be purchased without a prescription. Many over-the-counter allergy medicines are available at pharmacies, supermarkets, and convenience stores. They may include decongestants, antihistamines, pain relievers, and natural remedies.

perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR)
Nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to indoor allergens such as dust, dust mites, indoor mold and mildew, pets, and cockroaches. People with perennial allergic rhinitis have symptoms all year long. Also referred to as indoor allergies or year-round allergies.

perennial nasal allergies
See "perennial allergic rhinitis"

pet allergy
Nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to a particular type of animal. Pet allergies are actually caused by substances in the saliva, dander, or urine of animals with fur, not the hair or fur itself. People with pet allergies may have symptoms at any time of year, whenever they are exposed the type of animal they are allergic to. Though cats and dogs are the best-known triggers of animal allergies, other furry animals large and small can cause symptoms too.

prescription allergy medicine
Allergy medicine that is only available with a prescription from a healthcare professional.

priming (the pump)
Getting something ready for use. (The sprayer pump of the OMNARIS Nasal Spray bottle must be primed before you can use it. This is done by pressing the pump 8 times, so the liquid fills the inside of the sprayer.)

pollen allergy
Nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to pollen. People with pollen allergies usually have symptoms for part of the year, when the type of pollen they're allergic to is heaviest. Pollen allergies are usually caused by light, dry, airborne pollens from certain types of trees, grasses, and weeds. Also referred to as seasonal allergies, or seasonal allergic rhinitis.

pollen count
A daily measure of the amount of symptom-causing pollen in the air. The National Allergy Bureau compiles and reports pollen levels from certified stations across the country, making local pollen counts available.

pollen forecast
Combining knowledge of typical pollen patterns with weather conditions such as temperature, wind, and humidity, a pollen forecast predicts what the pollen counts will be in a specific area over several days. If you have a pollen allergy, a pollen forecast can help you minimize your exposure to airborne pollen.

ragweed
The most common cause of seasonal allergy symptoms, ragweed is a member of the daisy family. Its tiny green flowers can produce a huge amount of pollen in the late summer and early fall, which is carried into the air and can travel far from its source.

seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR)
Nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to outdoor allergens such as pollen and airborne mold spores. People with seasonal allergic rhinitis usually have symptoms for part of the year. Also referred to as outdoor allergies, hay fever, or seasonal allergies.

seasonal allergies
Nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to outdoor allergens such as pollen and airborne mold spores. People with seasonal allergies usually have symptoms for part of the year. Also referred to as outdoor allergies, hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis.

side effect
A secondary and unusually unwanted effect of a drug or medical treatment.

sinusitis
An infection of the sinus cavities around the eyes and behind the nose. Sinusitis can be long lasting and very painful. People with nasal allergies are more likely to develop sinusitis.

spring allergies
Nasal allergy symptoms that appear or worsen in the spring. Spring allergies are often triggered by exposure to tree and grass pollen and/or airborne mold spores. Also known as seasonal allergies, seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.

tree allergies
Nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to tree pollen. Most tree allergy symptoms peak in late spring and early summer, when trees release their pollen. Trees that commonly cause allergy symptoms include oak, ash, elm, hickory, pecan, box elder, and mountain cedar.

year-round allergies
Nasal allergy symptoms caused by exposure to indoor allergens such as dust, dust mites, indoor mold and mildew, pets, and cockroaches. People with year-round allergies have symptoms all year long. Also referred to as indoor allergies or perennial allergic rhinitis.