Beconase Hayfever Spray > Reviews (24)

I was quite surprised when my doctor diagnosed me with hayfever a few years ago. I always thought that it was something you were born with, silly me.

The first remedies I tried were Clarityn Allergy tablets (which were absolutely fantastic but expensive) and Rhinolast Nasal spray which was equally good but I found I always had a bitter aftertaste after using it. Then a couple of years ago my partner came home with Beconase as the chemist we use had run out of both of the previously mentioned remedies. After much foot stamping and a chorus of "It’s not fair!"I had to give it a go, as I had nothing to lose and was feeling pretty ill and pathetic by this time.

So for anyone that doesn't know hayfever, while not life threatening, is awful, you may start off with a sneeze or two followed by itchy, streaming eyes which then puff up, few more sneezes, runny nose, more sneezing you may even wheeze a little. It will even wake you up in the middle of the night just to torture you a little bit more. Certainly for me, if hayfever gets a grip I can't function at all until I get some kind of treatment, my eyes swell up so badly I can barely see and my head feels so congested I can't concentrate. It would also make my garden off limits and I love to be in the garden, especially on a day like today.

Anyway back to the remedy. First of all it's a nasal spray, which comes in two sizes, 100, or 180 sprays. Inside the box along with it you get a leaflet explaining all about the dosage and even has pictures to show you how to use it. All very nice and clear and easy to understand, I’d say By the way it’s not exclusively for hayfever sufferers; if you are allergic to horses, cats or dogs you can use this remedy too.

Here’s a quick list of the ingredients for you. Microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxmetholcellulose, dextrose, polysorbate, and preservatives: bezalkonium chloride, phenylethylalcohol. It also contains 50 micrograms of beclomethasone dipropionate per spray, apparently.

The first time I used it I noticed it had quite a flowery smell, a bit like when you smell lilacs, I thought this was a bit odd but it was gone as soon as it came. The spray itself took just about ten minutes to work although they do say in the leaflet it may take a couple of days the first time. It may have been quicker for me as I had been previously using a similar product.

The cost then, compared with Rhinolast it is roughly about the same but it is much cheaper than Clarityn (you only get enough for a week at a cost of about £4) and Beconase will last a lot longer even if you have to use it every day. So it's much more economical and works just as well. The last time I bought my spray it cost me £5.99 from Superdrug though this was for a large 180-spray bottle. Now that was at the end of last summer and I just kept it in the cupboard (although your not supposed to, I’m just naughty and a little tight- fisted) it has been working fine. This brings me quite nicely to the dos and don’ts.

It’s not recommended for anyone under 18 years old, Do not store it in the fridge, throw it away three months after opening and finally do not use any more than 8 sprays in a day.

So that’s it, a couple of quick snorts and then I’m off to sit in the garden and enjoy the sun! Have a lovely summer everyone.