Getting ready for spring

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is one of the most common allergic conditions, affecting 1 in 5 people in Australia.

It is caused by the body’s immune system reacting to allergens in the environment, such as pollen, house dust mite, moulds and animal dander (skin cells and fur).

Symptoms can include runny, blocked and itchy nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and snoring.

If you have seasonal allergic rhinitis that occurs in Spring, now is the time to make sure you are taking your preventer corticosteroid nasal spray.

Some brands of preventer sprays include Nasonex®, Beconase®, Flixonase®, Avamys®, Omnaris® and Rhinocort®.

There are also some preventer nasal sprays that combine corticosteroid and antihistamine in one spray, such as Dymista® and Ryaltris®. These are available on prescription, so speak to your doctor about whether a combined spray is right for you.

Using a preventer nasal spray every day in the weeks leading up to and then during spring can help people with seasonal allergic rhinitis manage their symptoms. Using the spray as prescribed (usually at least once a day), rather than only when you have symptoms, can help to prevent the symptoms developing. These sprays can take about a week to start working.