How To Find The Best Nasal Spray For Hay Fever
The spring and summer seasons should be a time to enjoy the great outdoors – but if you suffer from hay fever, these coming months can be tinged with trepidation. In UK pollen guides, the pollen peak for many plants can range from March through September, with summer being the worst for grass sensitivities. So if you have hay fever, you’ll already be preparing to suffer from symptoms such as bouts of sneezing, grossly over the top mucus production, and that eternal itchiness.
Hay fever can affect the eyes, the throat, and can even give us headaches, but often the most afflicted body part is the nose. Whether it’s totally clogged or running like a tap, sufferers have to keep their tissues to hand all summer round!
Sometimes preventative habits and home remedies just don’t cut it. If you’re really looking to protect your nose from the effects of pollen, you might want to try nasal sprays for hay fever relief. These sprays are a treatment designed to fight against hay fever, or to be more specific, allergic rhinitis.
What Is Allergic Rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nose caused by allergens. Sometimes the body can overreact to harmless particles, such as pollen, by producing antibodies. These antibodies release the chemical histamine, which inflames the insides of the nostrils and increases mucus production.
Once your body becomes sensitive to a particular allergen, the immune system will automatically react in this way. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
• Sneezing
• A blocked or runny nose
• Itchiness inside or around the nose
Basically, many classic hay fever symptoms are a form of allergic rhinitis in which pollen is the allergen. Of course, you can also experience allergic rhinitis from other sources, including:
- Dust mites in the home
- Animals, via dead skin carried on their fur
- Fine particles such as wood dust or flour dust
- Mould spores
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis can lead to difficulty sleeping and complications with conditions such as asthma. So it’s no surprise that many people turn to nasal sprays for relief.
What Are Nasal Sprays For Hay Fever Relief?
Nasal sprays for hay fever relief are effective medical treatments for allergic rhinitis. True to the name, nasal sprays are directly sprayed inside the nostrils. These sprays will contain steroids – in particular, corticosteroids – which work to reduce the inflammation caused by allergens. This means a relief from common symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, itchiness and a runny nose.
Nasal sprays can take a few days of application to become effective, so preparing ahead is often a good plan. If they’re taken regularly, and used as prescribed, then nasal sprays can really make a difference for hay fever sufferers.
Let’s take a look at some of the best nasal sprays for hay fever relief.
Beconase Nasal Spray
Beconase Nasal Spray is a popular choice. It’s also known by the names Beclomethasone, Pollenase and Nasobec. The active ingredient is Beclometasone Dipropionate, a corticosteroid with a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.
The typical starting dose for Beconase Nasal Spray is two sprays into each nostril, twice a day. If symptoms gradually improve, your dosage might go down to one spray per day. In any case, don’t use Beconase Nasal Spray for more than 4 sprays per nostril in a day.
When it comes to medicines, Beconase Nasal Spray is very well tolerated. But side effects can occur, such as:
- Sneezing, which tends to settle as your body gets used to the spray.
- An unpleasant taste or smell, which can be helped by rinsing your mouth with water.
- A dry throat, which can also be improved by rinsing.
- Nose bleeds. If these persist, take a break from the spray and speak to your doctor.
Most people have no trouble taking Beconase Nasal Spray, though you should check with your doctor before using this spray if:
- You’re allergic to Beclometasone Dipropionate.
- You’re using, or have used, other steroid medications.
- You’ve had an operation on your nose, or a nasal infection.
While Beconase Nasal Spray can really bring you relief from those summer sniffles, it’s not the only effective spray around.
Avamys Nasal Spray
Avamys Nasal Spray contains Fluticasone Furoate, an effective Glucocorticoid medicine that provides relief from nasal inflammation. Unlike Beconase, Avamys Nasal Spray is used just once a day in order to prevent and reduce those irritating hay fever symptoms. The typical dosage of Avamys is two sprays once a day, but this should be reduced to one spray as soon as your symptoms are controlled. As always make sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure you are taking your medication correctly and not overusing your nasal sprays.
Not everybody gets side effects from Avamys Nasal Spray, but it is possible. You might notice:
- Minor nosebleeds, particularly if the medication is used for more than six weeks continuously – tell your doctor if these worsen.
- Nasal ulceration, which could cause irritation. Again, if this continues, speak to your doctor about your dosage.
- Headaches, which can be improved by staying hydrated and resting.
Avamys Nasal Spray can be used by most people, but you should talk to your doctor before using it if:
- You’re allergic to Fluticasone Furoate.
- You’re using, or have used, other steroid medications.
- You’ve had an operation on your nose, or a nasal infection.
- You take Ritonavir or Cobicistat, used to treat HIV.
- You take Ketoconazole, used to treat fungal infections.
As you can see, both Beconase Nasal Spray and Avamys Nasal Spray are used pretty similarly, and are both great sources of relief for hay fever sufferers. So it’s hard to tell which is the ‘best’ nasal spray, but perhaps it’s whatever works best for you.
How Do I Use Nasal Sprays For Hay Fever Relief?
If it’s your first time using the nasal spray, or you haven’t used it in a while, you might need prepare it for use by:
- Giving the nasal spray a vigorous shake while the cap is on.
- Taking off the cap and pumping the spray until it produces a fine mist.
Once it’s ready to use, make sure to administer the spray properly by:
- Blowing your nose gently.
- Closing one nostril while placing the nozzle inside the open nostril.
- Spraying inside while breathing in.
- Taking the nozzle out of your nostril, then breathing out of your mouth.
- Repeating steps 2 – 4 with your other nostril.
Can I Buy Nasal Sprays For Hay Fever Relief Online?
If you’re looking for a nasal spray prescription online, we’ve got you covered. e-Surgery stocks both Avamys Nasal Spray and Beconase Nasal Spray from as little as £9.95, with next day delivery available. So there’s no need to suffer through the summer – get the relief you need, today.
Further Reading
- Hay Fever | NHS
- Fluticasone | National Institute of Health and Care Excellence
- Beclomethasone Dipropionate | PubChem
