Hayfever symptoms
Summer is here, the weather is warming up, skies are blue, so why are you feeling so irritable? Itchy eyes, streaming nose, non-stop sneezing, coughing. If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably be feeling like a total mess. Yes, it’s hayfever season. In fact, this can start much earlier in the year as well. Many of us are allergic to a variety of triggers, often associated with different pollens. The high pollen counts tend to vary according to the prevailing weather conditions and with climate change this can bring on the flowering season earlier / later than expected. Some of us might only be allergic to a particular pollen from a certain plant which has a short flowering season, others may be worse off and experience symptoms to a wider range of pollens and therefore experience hayfever symptoms for longer.
Tried different treatments and frustrated with them not working? Try again! Here are some helpful tips on the best way to use the treatments available from Pharmacies, to get the best effect from them.
Some people find they are only affected by one symptom, such as itchy eyes, in which case, eye drops might be the best option. However, some find eye drops difficult or inconvenient to use, so might prefer a tablet. There are also nose sprays available, particularly helpful for the nasal symptoms of sneezing/coughing etc. It is safe and often worth trying a combination of eye drops / tablet / nose spray together, which could be the most effective treatment option for you, if one product alone isn’t enough to keep symptoms at bay.
Top tip #1:
All hayfever treatments with active ingredients within them are PREVENTATIVE, rather than RELIEVING. This means, in a perfect world, we would have a crystal ball to know when to start using them, at the right time just before our symptoms start. In reality, it means that they can take some time to kick in, so be patient, and keep going. How long should I expect treatments to start working?
Eye drops - within 1 hour
Tablets - within 2 hours
Steroid nose sprays - a few days/up to 1 week to full effect
Top tip #2:
For instant relief, wash your face with some cold water. Apply something cold to the eye / face area, such as a cold compress / wet flannel made with cold water / pack of frozen peas etc. This helps by washing away the pollen and reducing the inflammation caused by the histamine release, reducing the itching feeling. If possible, get into an areas with air conditioning such as a car, a shopping centre, or cinema, to instantly remove the pollen / trigger contact with your body.
Top tip #3:
To minimise contact with pollen, try keeping windows/doors closed. Wear wraparound sunglasses to reduce contact between pollen and the eyes. Apply vaseline around the nose and eyes, to “catch” the pollen. Routinely wipe this away and re-apply. Dry any laundry inside the house rather than outside. Take a shower & change clothes after being outside.
Treatment options available from Pharmacies:
Remember - It is always important to consult with your Pharmacist if you have any medical conditions or take other medications, which could interact with treatments used for hayfever. In addition, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Always check with your Pharmacist first before using any medicines.
Eye drops - Sodium Cromoglicate
Sodium, what…? This is the active ingredient found in most allergy treatment eye drops. As mentioned previously, it works by prevention, so needs to be used regularly, often four times a day. Well-known brands include Opticrom and Optrex Hayfever relief, but many others are available, including chemist own versions which often cost less but have the same active ingredient.
Tablets
First choice would be the “newer” antihistamine tablets which work for longer, so only need to be taken once a day, and are typically non-drowsy. Examples include Cetirizine and Loratadine, found in brands such as Zirtek and Clarityn. Many chemists / supermarkets will make their own cheaper version which is just as effective and saves money.
The “older” antihistamine tablets can be effective but tend to have more of the drowsy side effect and wear off more quickly so you need to keep taking repeat doses during the day, making it both inconvenient and less effective through the day. Examples include Chlorphenamine (Piriton) and Acrivastine (Benadryl). Again, many chemists will sell their own version.
The newest arrival to the market is called Fexofenadine, which until recently was only available on prescription but is now available to buy from Pharmacies. It is currently more expensive than the other antihistamines but is worth a try if you haven’t had much joy with the other cheaper alternatives, as people do respond differently to different antihistamines.
Remember, don’t expect the tablets to work instantly, they can take a few hours to kick in.
A note for treating children…Liquid versions of the antihistamine tablets are available for children from age 6 upwards for the newer antihistamines, and Chlorphenamine (Piriton) liquid is ok for children aged from 1 year. It’s worthwhile checking what is available & appropriate for your child by talking with the Pharmacist.
Nose Sprays
First choice would be a steroid nose spray, which can be very effective. They work in the local area of where the nose spray gets to, so mainly help with sneezing, but can sometimes help reduce eye/mouth/throat symptoms as well. Be warned, they can take up to a week, yes ONE WEEK, to fully take effect, so keep using regularly and be patient. Examples include Fluticasone (Flixonase) and Beclometasone (Beconase), these are also suitable for children aged from 4 and 6 years up, respectively. They are safe to use continuously for the summer hayfever season. Again, some chemists may stock their own versions which contain the same active ingredient but cost less, so ask the Pharmacist for advice.
Another choice but only for short term use are decongesting nose sprays, such as those containing Xylometazoline. They work rapidly for unblocking sinuses, within a few minutes of use. However, do not use for more than 7 days continuously because they can cause re-bound congestion, worsening symptoms, so these tend to be better for treating cold/virus symptoms. Also, to be avoided by people with high blood pressure, glaucoma, diabetes and other conditions, so ask the Pharmacist for advice.
Finally,
Top tip #4:
Histamine is present in many food and drink products, including alcohol. So, having taken your antihistamine tablet, if you are off to the pub to enjoy the newfound freedom of that fresh summer pollen filled air and celebrate with a glass of something alcoholic, you might want to pause for thought. The histamine in the alcohol might override the antihistamine benefit you have achieved from effective treatment. Thankfully, certain types of alcohol are lower in histamine, for example, white wines / sparkling such as prosecco / champagne are lower in histamine compared with red wines / beer. As always, the advice is: there is no amount of alcohol which is beneficial, so know your limits. Remember, alcohol makes you drowsy, which will be enhanced by the drowsiness effect from any antihistamine, so be extra cautious. Consider limiting the amount you drink and having non-alcoholic alternatives.
Enjoy your summer!”
