Steroids are an anti-inflammatory drug that are typically used in the form of inhalers in asthma and nasal sprays when treating allergic rhinitis. Steroid creams are also available and are useful for treating eczema.

Nasal steroid sprays can be used to relieve symptoms of a blocked, runny nose due to allergic rhinitis. Steroid sprays take a few days before they start to work and it is therefore best to start taking them a just before the start of the pollen season in people who suffer from hayfever. If you stop taking a steroid spray symptoms will typically return again within a few days.

Similarly inhaled steroids are effective at treating asthma and should be taken regularly through a spacer and continued even when well. Because steroids take several days to work you should continue steroids until advised to stop by your doctor Sometimes oral or even intravenous steroids are given. This is usually done in a short course of 3-5 days to treat severe symptoms or anaphylaxis.