Are nasal sprays better than tablets for hay fever?

Both nasal sprays and tablets are very effective in helping to reduce your allergy symptoms during hay fever season. They do, however, work differently in their efforts. A nasal spray is applied directly to the mucosal lining of the nasal passages and offers more or less instant relief from the sneezing and the itching and watering of both the eyes and the nose. The localised application of the antihistamine means that there is very little danger of any adverse side effects in the rest of the body. Nasal sprays are more likely to be used as needed and are a great way to relieve the symptoms of mild hay fever.

Antihistamine tablets are better for more pronounced hay fever and can target a more varied range of symptoms. They need to be taken at regular intervals (usually every twelve hours) but do offer long lasting relief from sneezing, itching, runny eyes and nose, swelling, redness or rash, coughing and even the nausea associated with large amount of mucus that make it in to the stomach by running down the back of your throat when your nose is especially drippy.  Most antihistamine tablets these days are not likely to make you at all drowsy and you will find that taking one in the morning and one in the evening will not interfere in your day at all.

Many hay fever sufferers find that taking a combination of both nasal sprays and tablets offer them the best relief from hay fever symptoms. For the best treatment for you as an individual it is worth seeing your GP and discussing the various options and antihistamine combinations that will best relieve your symptoms and suit your lifestyle.

Read more in the Allergies Information Guide »