Hay Fever Season: Be Prepared

What causes hay fever?

Histamine, the chemical that causes allergic reactions, is released form the cells lining the nose and eyes, when they encounter any foreign substances. This causes a reaction similar to nettle stings, that is itching and swelling, and can affect the eyes, nose, throat and sinuses.

How common is hay fever?

Hay fever is very common, affecting 20% of people. It usually starts in school aged children
It also runs in families and is more common in people who also have asthma and eczema.

Symptoms of hay fever.

Each patient has slightly different symptoms but it is likely that they will have some, if not all of the symptoms listed below:

• Runny, itchy and blocked nose Sneezing
• Loss of sense of smell Catarrh
• Sore or itchy throat Itchy and watery eyes
• Sinus (face) pain Headache
• Asthma

Treatments

• Avoidance of pollen

  Look at the pollen count on TV, newspapers and on many weather Apps
  If the pollen count is high:
  Stay indoors as much as possible, keeping windows and doors shut.
  Avoid mowing the lawn.
  Shower and wash your hair after being outdoors.
  Keep car windows shut and when your car is serviced ask for pollen filters to be changed or added.

• Antihistamines

  Antihistamines stop histamine from causing the body’s reactions to foreign substances, such as pollen. They can be taken as medicine, tablet or nasal spray. They tend to work within an hour of being taken and ease most of the symptoms (not as good at easing the nasal congestion). They work best when taken every day rather than intermittently. Usually non-drowsy antihistamines are prescribed BUT every year some patients tell me they made them feel sleepy so DO NOT drive or operate machinery if you are affected, see your GP or pharmacist who can change you to a different antihistamine. They are NOT to be taken if you may be pregnant or are breast feeding.

• Steroids

  Steroid nose sprays work by reducing inflammation and swelling in the nose. This reduces the sneezing and runny, itchy, blocked nose. They can take up to 2 weeks to start working and should be ideally started a few weeks prior to the usual start of hay fever symptoms.
  They should be taken with the antihistamines. Side effects are rare but they can irritate the lining of the nose. Your GP will be able to prescribe something to help.

  Sometimes a 1 week course of oral steroids can be prescribed if other treatments have not worked. This is often prescribed just before examinations. However, there are side effects from steroids that may affect performance and they cannot be taken for very long.

• Eye drops

  These are taken with antihistamines and steroid nose sprays and help reduce the release of histamine so reducing the itchy, watery eyes

• Decongestants

  Sometime the nasal congestion symptoms are quite debilitating causing disturbed sleep, headaches and making the sufferer feel generally miserable. Decongestants are not licensed for small children but can provide a short term relief when symptoms are very bad. They MUST NOT be used for more than a week.

• Hyposensitisation (a course of vaccines containing the allergen)

  This is only considered for persisting severe symptoms. Hyposensitisation requires supervision by a specialist. It does not cure hay fever but can greatly reduce the severity of symptoms and may give long lasting benefit for years after the treatment has been stopped.

If you are unsure which would be the best treatment for your hay fever, please make an appointment with your GP.

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