An NHS doctor has explained the way some hay fever sufferers have been using nasal sprays to alleviate symptoms is wrong. Dr Karan Rangarajan, an NHS surgeon and lecturer at the University of Sunderland, frequently makes social media videos about a range of different conditions people experience.
This time he's shared a simple hack which will make nasal sprays more effective for users. In a video uploaded to TikTok, Dr Karan explained nasal sprays are more effective than tablets as pollen is already in the nasal cavity.
He said: "Nasal irrigation. This can be a lot more effective than pills because it's in your nose holes that pollen can get trapped and cause reactions. Flushing your nose pipes could help to reduce symptoms."
READ MORE: Hay fever sufferers praise 'miracle cure' £4 tablet as symptoms disappear
He continued: "If you use a nasal spray don't point up towards your brain, point sideways towards your ears so it will be in parallel with your sinuses which is where the medication needs to go."
He also said not to inhale as the medication will end up in your throat. His video racked up over 4.2million views, 407,500 likes and 5,863 comments, with some viewers asking why hay fever is so bad this year. Dr Karan replied: "It's only going to keep getting worse with the erratic weather we're having!"
Another said: "Sideways?! Great informative post!"
A third commented, "Fexofenadine in the AM, Montelukast in the PM, nasal sprays in the day and many balms in the nose etc. still suffering," while a fourth wrote, "Get the kenalog injection. It's the first summer I've been able to sit outside".
For those suffering with hay fever during the summer, there are a number of nasal sprays which can help with symptoms. Some of Boots' top rated products include Otrivine Blocked Nose Relief 0.1% w/v Nasal Spray (£4.75), which contains Xylometazoline Hydrochloride, which temporarily relieves congestion by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose area.
Other alternatives include Pirinase Hayfever Relief For Adults 0.05% Nasal Spray for £8.40, Sterimar Hayfever & Allergy Relief for £5.30, and Benadryl Allergy Natural Relief Spra y for £6.19.
Allevia, which retails at £4, has received glowing reviews online. The tablets claim to provide relief from symptoms for up to 24 hours, and were previously only available on prescription up until 2021, when they were re-classified. So it's good news for hay fever sufferers, as you can get them in most supermarkets and chemists, selling at Superdrug for £5.89.
Last year, users took to social media to describe their experience with the medicine. Ben Newmark said: "He hadn't felt this good in the summer for a decade."
Matty Ester added: "I have gone from having the worst hay fever you will ever see anyone have in your whole life, to feeling like I've never had it. Allevia, you have cured me."
@Nikk1noodles said: "Fexofenadine aka Allevia 120mg over the counter at Boots. Took a couple of days to kick in but this week I've been hay fever-free. No itching, no eye drops, no nasal sprays. 10/10 would recommend."
You can also purchase a seven-tablet pack on Amazon for £2.99, 30-pack for £8.99, or 70-pack for £22.05. The tablets, which claim to provide relief from symptoms for up to 24 hours, were previously only available on prescription up until 2021, when they were re-classified. It means they are now available on general sale and available in most supermarkets and chemists.
Some of Boots' bestselling antihistamines include Allacan 10mg film-coated tablets, which come in a single pack , three-pack , or six-pack . They range from £2.49, £3.49 and £11.70 currently online. Other alternatives include Piriton Antihistamine Allergy Relief Tablets x 30 for £4.99, Piriteze Antihistamine Allergy Relief Tablets x 30 for £10.55, and Benadryl Allergy Relief x 12 for £6.
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