Hay fever sufferers could save up to £10 a month by switching from oral antihistamines to nasal sprays, according to allergy experts. The most effective treatments are now combined corticosteroid-antihistamine nasal sprays, which target symptoms directly and have no worse side effects than other options.
Oral antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine are less effective because they must be digested and distributed throughout the body, limiting the amount reaching nasal tissue. Nasal sprays, applied directly where needed, address nasal obstruction and sneezing more comprehensively and are now the recommended first-line treatment for both children and adults.
Experts advise against using decongestant sprays for more than five days, as prolonged use can cause rebound congestion and dependence. For persistent eye symptoms, eyedrops with olopatadine may help, though nasal sprays often clear eye issues on their own.
Starting treatment a few weeks before pollen season begins yields the best outcomes. Taking both an oral antihistamine and a nasal spray is usually unnecessary and a waste of money, as oral antihistamines add little benefit to a nasal corticosteroid.
