Drug-free nasal sprays are best

I RECENTLY suggested that decongestant nasal sprays are an option for people who suffer from hay fever, and also if you have a permanently runny nose due to a condition called post nasal drip.

A worried reader wrote in to point out, rightly, that these medicines are not without their downsides. If they are used for too long, they can sometimes worsen the problem, particularly when you try to stop using them.

We see the same issue with people taking painkillers for headaches, which paradoxically often go on to perpetuate the headache.

If you need continuous nasal sprays, it is best to stick to the drug-free ones such as seawater sprays and sinus rinses.

GPs would only recommend using steroid sprays for a short two-week course.