Nasal sprays

One of the main hayfever symptoms is inflammation of the lining of the nose. There are various products to treat this symptom:

• Corticosteroid nasal sprays – examples include beclometasone dipropionate (e.g. Beconase Hayfever), fluticasone propionate (e.g. Pirinase Hayfever Relief), triamcinolone acetonide (e.g. Nasacort Allergy), budesonide (e.g. Benacort) and mometasone furoate (e.g. Clarinaze). These are often the first choice of treatment for people who experience regular allergy symptoms over a long period of time. They are effective against all hayfever symptoms. For best results, the sufferer should start to use the medication a couple of weeks before the hayfever season starts. The spray should then be used on a daily basis.
• Decongestant nasal sprays – such as oxymetazoline and xylometazoline relieve nasal congestion by shrinking the swollen lining of the nose. They should only be used for short periods of time, otherwise symptoms can reappear when their use is stopped. Examples include Vicks Sinex Nasal Spray and Otrivine Nasal Spray.
• Saline nasal sprays – these are a drug-free way of relieving nasal congestion. Products containing natural sea water (e.g. Stérimar Hayfever & Allergies) work by washing away allergens and rebalancing nasal functions. Some have additional ingredients such as manganese, calcium and purified water (e.g. Stérimar Stop & Protect Allergy Response) to neutralise allergens in the nose and form a protective film to prevent allergens from irritating the lining of the nose.