Hay fever is caused by an allergy to pollen or mould. When pollen grains or mould spores get into your eyes, nose, or airways, they cause symptoms such as sneezing; a runny or blocked nose; itching in your eyes, nose, and the roof of your mouth; watery, red eyes; and a cough. You may also develop wheezing. Symptoms can develop at any time from early spring to early autumn, depending on which pollens or moulds trigger the allergy. Hay fever tends to run in families that have a high incidence of allergic conditions such as asthma and eczema, but many people seem to grow out of the problem as they get older.
What you can do yourself
Most people are able to control their symptoms using over-the-counter remedies. Try the following to see what works best for you.
* Take an antihistamine to relieve most hay fever symptoms (See DRUG REMEDIES).
A steroid nasal spray is particularly effective in helping to prevent or relieve sneezing, watering, itching, and stuffiness in your nose (see DRUG REMEDIES). You can use the spray either alone or with an antihistamine.
* Sodium cromoglicate nasal spray (see DRUG REMEDIES) can be used as an alternative to a steroid nasal spray for mild symptoms.
* For itchy eyes, use sodium cromoglicate or antihistamine eye drops ( see DRUG REMEDIES).
* Decongestant drugs can be used in the short term to clear a blocked nose (see DRUG REMEDIES). They can also be used to help clear your nose when starting a course of a steroid nasal spray.
* Avoid substances that can further irritate your nose and eyes, such as tobacco smoke or dust, perfumes, or strong-smelling chemicals.
* When the pollen count is high (usually on hot, dry, windy days at mid-morning and early evening), stay indoors as much as possible, keeping windows and doors close. In a car, keep windows and air vents closed. Some newer cars have pollen filters.
* Dry clothes inside if possible. If you do dry washing outside, bring it in before the evening.
* Have a shower and wash your hair before bed to remove pollen that has built up during the day.
Seek medical advice if:
* There is no improvement after you have been using home treatments for 2-3 weeks
DRUG REMEDIES
Antihistamine tablets are a convenient treatment that can be used on a one-off basis or regularly, and with nose sprays or eye drops (if these treatments don’t ease symptoms by themselves). They quickly relieve most hay fever symptoms, including sneezing, although they are not as effective as steroids for a blocked nose.
Steroid nasal sprays relieve nasal symptoms more effectively than antihistamines. They can take several days to reach their full effect, so try to start the treatment before the hay fever season begins, and use the spray daily.
Sodium cromoglicate nasal spray can be used as an alternative to a steroid nasal spray, although it is not generally as effective. It also needs to be used continuously.
Eye drops containing sodium cromoglicate or antihistamine can prevent or relieve symptoms. Sodium cromoglicate eye drops can take a few days to have a noticeable effect, and they must be used continuously.
Decongestants, available as nasal sprays or drops, act quickly. They are good for occasional use. Do not use them for more than 7 days, however, or they may make you feel more blocked up when you stop.
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