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Multi-symptom hay fever relief
Treating and preventing hay fever with one product
After reading this module, you will understand:
How correct use of a corticosteroid (beclometasone) nasal spray will maximise its effectiveness in treating ocular and nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis
That first-line treatment options for allergic rhinitis include corticosteroid nasal sprays
How a nasal spray can be used in combination with other products, such as eye drops, if symptoms are persistent or severe
Test your knowledge
Before continuing the module, complete the quiz to test
your current knowledge of allergic rhinitis and its treatment.
1 of 4. Select the statement that is correct:
Everyone suffers from allergic rhinitis to a greater or lesser extent
INCORRECT
A review carried out between 1999 to 2005 in England found that 10% of 6-7 year-olds and 15–19% of 13-14 year-olds were affected by allergic rhinitis. A population-based survey in 2004 found the prevalence in adults to be 26%.1
Fewer people suffer from allergic rhinitis now than 60 years ago
INCORRECT
Allergic rhinitis is very common and the prevalence has increased worldwide since the 1960s, with 50% of people being affected wordwide.1
There is a strong genetic component to hay fever
CORRECT
There is a genetic component to whether you might suffer from hay fever or not. A positive family history (father or mother with allergic rhinitis) is the best predictor of allergic rhinitis.2
2 of 4. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
Allergic rhinitis can be described as seasonal or perennial
CORRECT
Allergic rhinitis can be classified as seasonal or perennial. With seasonal rhinitis, symptoms occur at the same time each year in response to a seasonal allergen such as grass or tree pollen (hay fever). With perennial rhinitis, symptoms occur throughout the year, typically due to allergens from house dust mites and animal dander.3
Allergic rhinitis is not classified according to duration and severity
INCORRECT
Allergic rhinitis may be classified according to duration and severity. It is described as ‘intermittent’ if symptoms are present less than four days a week or for less than four weeks, and ‘persistent’ if they are more frequent.3 Severity depends on the how it affects sleep and daily activities. If it has no impact it is said to be ‘mild’. If sleep and/or daily living activities (such as school, work, leisure or sport) are affected it is ‘moderate to severe’.3
Allergic rhinitis can be described as an inflammatory disorder of the eyes
INCORRECT
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory disorder of the nose that occurs when the nasal mucosa becomes exposed and sensitised to allergens, which causes typical symptoms of sneezing, nasal discharge (rhinorrhoea), itching and congestion.3
3 of 4. What is the most effective treatment for allergic rhinitis, such as hay fever?
Sedating oral antihistamine tablets
INCORRECT
First-line treatment options for allergic rhinitis are intranasal corticosteroids and antihistamines (intranasal or non-sedating oral formats), either alone or in combination.4
Intranasal corticosteroid sprays
CORRECT
Intranasal corticosteroids provide the most effective treatment for allergic rhinitis but they may take several days to become fully effective,4 meaning some customers may prefer a combination with other formulations alongside the spray.
Nasal barrier products combined with sodium cromoglycate eye drops
INCORRECT
Nasal barrier products combined with sodium cromoglycate eye drops may provide some relief from allergic rhinitis, but intranasal corticosteroid sprays provide the most effective relief.4
4 of 4. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
The combination of an intranasal corticosteroid and an oral
antihistamine is more effective than an intranasal spray on its own
INCORRECT
An intranasal corticosteroid can be used in combination with an oral antihistamine. However, guidance states that the combination of an intranasal corticosteroid and an oral antihistamine is no more effective than the intranasal corticosteroid on its own.4
Beclometasone nasal spray cannot be used together
with sodium cromoglycate eye drops
CORRECT
Sodium cromoglycate eye drops can be used alongside beclometasone nasal spray to relieve symptoms of itchy, watery eyes.
BECONASE® spray (beclometasone) must be
used regularly to prevent and treat hay fever
CORRECT
BECONASE® (beclometasone) reaches significant efficacy from 3 days of use.5 A study shows that daily use of nasal sprays with beclometasone diproprionate (BDP) provided continuous improvement in patient-reported, reflective total nasal symptom scores (rTNSS).5 Therefore, it should be used regularly to prevent and treat symptoms.
Content developed by Perrigo working with CIG Healthcare Partnership.© 2025 CIG Healthcare Partnership
MAT-9102 March 2025
