Hayfever
Also known as allergic rhinitis. It is caused by allergy to things in the air or through contact. Hayfever usually occurs with predictable regularity, e.g. in spring or summer every year when there is a lot of pollen in the air. Some people can have hayfever all year round, usually as a result of being allergic to animals, dust or food.
Hayfever can run in the family. It is related to asthma and eczema. An individual can have more than one of these conditions.
Common allergens are:
- pollen
- dust
- animals
- food
- mould spores
Signs and Symptoms
Varies between people but usually includes the following:
- Sneezing, runny or blocked nose
- itchy, red, puffy and watery eyes
- itchy throat and mouth
- headache
Treatment
There are various treatments for hayfever, most of them are available through your pharmacies without a prescription. They include antihistamine tablets or medicines, nose spray or nose drops, antihistamine eye drops, herbal hayfever remedies.
Antihistamines tablets or medicines such a Claratyne, Zyrtec, Telfast are very effective at relieving and preventing symptoms of hayfever. They have the advantage of being once daily dosage to provide 24 hour relief and are classified as non sedating. Alternatively, there are the sedating antihistamines such as Phenergan, Polaramine. Their daily dosage is at least twice a day.
Steroid nasal spray such as Flixonase and Beconase or antihistamine nose spray such as Livostin and Azep are effective at easing the sneezing, runny or blocked nose. The antihistamine eye drops such as Livostin, Lomide will ease the itchy, red, puffy and watery eyes.
Neilmed Sinus Rinse may also help to improve hayfever symptoms by cleaning allergens and irritants from the nose.
People have also found herbal hayfever remedies such as Nutra-Life Anti Allergy & Hayfever and Nature’s Own Triple Strength Horseradish and Garlic to be effective at relieving hayfever symptoms.
Prevention
Try to find out what things you are allergic to and try to avoid them.
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Use air purifier at home or work to reduce the level of air borne allergens
- Avoid moving lawns or walking in long grass. Wear face masks and sunglasses when necessary
- Keep animal/bird pets outdoor
- Damp dust and vacuum the house at least once a week to reduce the level of allergen at home.
Important
Consult your family doctor if you have the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Creamy, yellow or green discharge from your nose or eyes
- Swollen glands in your neck
Disclaimer: This information is intended for New Zealand residents and is of a general nature only. No person should act in reliance on any statement contained in the information provided and at all times should obtain specific advice from a health professional. To the extent permitted by law, ibuy pharmacy, their employees and agents accept no liability (even if negligent) for any injury, loss or damage caused by reliance on any part of this information. All rights reserved. In particular no alterations, additions or adaptions of this publication are permitted without written consent of ibuy pharmacy.