What Are The Treatment Options For Hayfever?

It’s spring and people must have already started with those irritating sniffles and itchy eyes!

One in five Brits suffer from hay fever. How to know you are one of them? First, you must know what is hay fever.

Hay fever is a common allergic condition that is often termed as seasonal allergies. Your GP would call it “allergic rhinitis”.

What triggers it off? Pollen triggers it off. Pollen is a powdery substance that is released by trees, grass and weed into the air during spring, summer and fall, respectively. 95% of hay fever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen. Other possible allergens that trigger hay fever include pet dander, mould, dust mites and pollutants.

The clinical features of hay fever are runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, puffy eyes, cough, sore throat and postnasal drip.

How to treat hay fever?

Try to start with prevention. If you have seasonal allergic rhinitis, limit outdoors activities, especially when pollen count is high. Saline sprays or nasal irrigation can help eradicate pollen particles from your nose. Saline sprays are easily available at your pharmacist.

If your hay fever symptoms persist even after nasal irrigation, certain OTC or prescription medicines would work well. People with severe allergy require immunotherapy.

• Antihistamines

An oral antihistamine is probably the best treatment for hay fever. There are several types of antihistamines available in the pill form, oral solution form (for kids) and nasal sprays. These medicines ease your sneezing, nasal congestion, postnasal discharge and itchy eyes. Some antihistamines are available on providing a prescription. Talk to your GP for a suitable oral antihistamine.

• Decongestants

Decongestants open up your blocked nose. They are available in conventional pills and nasal sprays. You need to be very careful while using nasal decongestants. They can aggravate your congestion if you use them for more than three days. Decongestant eye drops are effective against red, itchy and watery eyes.

• Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are recommended by a specialist if antihistamines or decongestants fail to treat hay fever. They are even considered safe and effective. Corticosteroid tablets and nasal sprays bring down the inflammation. Self-medication with corticosteroids is strictly prohibited.

• Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is the best hay fever treatment. It is given as daily pills or injectable, and it provides long-term relief from allergy or hay fever. Your doctor will administer small doses of allergens that can bother you. However, over the time, your body will start getting used to them. Immunotherapy is given at your doctor’s clinic.

To know more about how to treat hay fever, you can see your GP or a specialist.

Looking for the treatment for hay fever? Check out Pharmacy Outlet! It deals in a wide range of OTC hay fever medicines.