Nasal sprays are used as local treatments for conditions such as

nasal congestion and allergic rhinitis. In some situations, nasal

delivery route is preferred because it provides an agreeable
alternative to injection or pills. Substances can be assimilated
extremely quickly and directly through the nose.[1] Many
pharmaceutical drugs exist as nasal sprays for systemic
administration (e.g. treatments for pain, migraine, osteoporosis
and nausea). Other applications include hormone replacement
therapy, treatment of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's
disease. Nasal sprays are seen as a more efficient way of
transporting drugs with potential use in crossing the blood–brain
barrier.
Saline sprays are typically non medicated. A mist of saline solution
containing sodium chloride is delivered to help moisturize dry or
irritated nostrils. This is a form of nasal irrigation. They can also
relieve nasal congestion and remove airborne irritants such as
pollen and dust thereby providing sinus allergy relief.
Three types of nasal sprays preparations of sodium chloride are
available including hypertonic (3% sodium chloride or sea water),
isotonic (0.9% sodium chloride) and hypotonic (0.65% sodium
chloride). Isotonic solutions have the same salt concentration as
the human body, whereas hypertonic solutions have a higher salt
content and hypotonic solutions have a lower salt content. Isotonic
saline nasal sprays are commonly used in infants and children to
wash out the thick mucus from the nose in case of allergic rhinitis.
Hypertonic solutions may be more useful at drawing moisture from
the mucous membrane and relieving nasal congestion.
Natural nasal sprays that include chemical complexes derived from
plant sources such as ginger, capsaicin and tea-tree oil are also
available. There is however, no trial-verified evidence that they
have a measurable effect on symptoms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_spray#Saline_sprays

"Breakthrough: Nasal Spray May Soon Replace Pills for Delivering

Drugs to the Brain". Science Daily (Science Daily). 2014-05-21.
Retrieved 2015-03-30.

Saline nasal sprays and washes

Perhaps the most commonly used treatment for colds in
infants is the application of saline drops and sprays to the
nasal passages, often followed by bulb suction. Though
this is not likely to result in anything more than transient
improvement in nasal obstruction, one study looked at
symptomatic relief during a cold as well as prevention of
colds in children receiving instillation of nasal saline wash.
Their result showed significant improvement in sore throat,
cough, nasal obstruction, and secretions when given as
treatment for a cold, as well as fewer illness days, school
absences, and complications in children receiving the
saline as a preventative.

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Jan;134(1):67-74. doi:

10.1001/archoto.2007.19.
Efficacy of isotonic nasal wash (seawater) in the
treatment and prevention of rhinitis in children.
Slapak I1, Skoupá J, Strnad P, Horník P.
Author information
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209140

Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the potential of nasal isotonic saline application to prevent
reappearance of cold and flu in children during the winter.
DESIGN:
Prospective, multicenter, parallel-group, open, and randomized
comparison.
SETTING:
Eight pediatric outpatient clinics.
PATIENTS:
A total of 401 children (aged 6-10 years) with uncomplicated cold or flu.
INTERVENTIONS:
We randomly assigned patients to 2 treatment groups, one with just
standard medication, the other with nasal wash with a modified
seawater solution (Physiomer) plus standard medication, and observed
them for 12 weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
The primary efficacy end points were nasal symptoms resolution during
acute illness (visits 1 and 2). We also looked for reappearance of cold
or flu, consumption of medication, complications, days off school, and
reported days of illness during the following weeks when preventive
potential was evaluated (visits 3 and 4).
RESULTS:
At visit 2, patients in the saline group achieved primary end points
(measured on a 4-point numeric scale on which 1 indicated no
symptoms and 4, severe symptoms) in the parameters nasal secretion
and obstruction (mean scores vs nonsaline group, 1.79 vs 2.10 and
1.25 vs 1.58, respectively) (P < .05 for both). During the prevention
phase (at visit 3, 8 weeks after study entry) patients in the saline group
showed significantly lower scores in sore throat, cough, nasal
obstruction, and secretion (P < .05 for all). By visit 3, significantly fewer
children in the saline group were using antipyretics (9% vs 33%), nasal
decongestants (5% vs 47%), mucolytics (10% vs 37%), and systemic
antiinfectives (6% vs 21%) (P < .05 for all). During the same period
children in the saline group also reported significantly fewer illness days
(31% vs 75%), school absences (17% vs 35%), and complications (8%
vs 32%) (P < .05 for all). Similar results were found at the final visit.
CONCLUSION:
Children in the saline group showed faster resolution of some nasal
symptoms during acute illness and less frequent reappearance of
rhinitis subsequently.