Seasonal Allergies Like Hay Fever Can Take The Joy Out Of Brighter Days And Better Weather, But You Are Ideally Placed To Offer Advice And Treatments.
The word ‘allergy’ is often used, but often misunderstood. An allergy occurs when the body over-reacts to a substance that is normally harmless, such as pollen. It generates a response in the immune system, which sees the substance as a threat and produces antibodies to fight it. This makes the immune system react more aggressively to any subsequent exposures to an irritant, and immune cells are released that include histamine, leukotrienes, cytokines and prostaglandins. These are released upon further exposure and cause the typical allergy symptoms associated with, for example, hay fever.
CASES ON THE RISE
Cases of hay fever in Ireland are on the rise. The reason for this is not fully understood, but may be attributable to overuse of antibiotics, exposure to air pollution, or smoking (including passive smoking). The increase in hay fever incidence is also attributed by some people to a concept called the ‘Hygiene Hypothesis’. This is based on the idea that an increasingly sterile Western lifestyle means that reducing infections has lowered our bodies’ ability to deal with them, as our immune systems adjust to having less bacteria to deal with.
The symptoms and severity of an allergic reaction depends on the type of allergy — for example food allergies, eczema, contact dermatitis, hives, or asthma. Some people also experience all-year-round symptoms of hay fever, known as perennial allergic rhinitis, which is usually caused by exposure to animal dander or house dust mites. This article will focus on seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis will present as cold-like symptoms, such as a blocked or runny nose, sneezing and itching. For most people, the symptoms are mild but for others, they can be more severe and have a serious effect on their quality of life. This can sometimes involve sleep problems. Customers with hay fever may also have puffiness around the eyes, cough or wheezing, ear problems, impaired sense of taste or smell, and tiredness.
According to Allergy Ireland, there are a number of self-care steps people can take to lessen the symptoms of their hay fever. These include:
- Keep windows closed during peak pollen hours, especially the bedroom window, and also while driving.
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses to help block pollen from entering the eyes.
- Wear a face mask if you plan to do some gardening.
- Place Vaseline inside each nostril to prevent pollen from entering the nose.
- Shower and change your clothes after walking in the park.
- Wash bedsheets regularly and vacuum the f loors.
- Spend leisure time or holidays at the sea, as the sea breeze disperses pollen.
- Check for the next day’s pollen count and plan your schedule accordingly using Met Eireann’s pollen count tracker.
People who are prone to hay fever should avoid walking in parks and grasslands during pollen season, being outside during peak pollen hours (late morning or late afternoon), and smoking should also be avoided. Clothes dried outside also accumulate pollen. In Ireland, pollen starts to be released in early March until late May. Grass pollen season then occurs, and lasts from May until September. The typical Irish pollen season happens in spring and summer, but for some people the problem can persist into autumn. Most people with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen alone, but 25 per cent of people with a grass pollen allergy also suffer from tree pollen allergy.
PREGNANCY
Pregnant women with hay fever face an extra problem and it is recommended to cease all medications in pregnancy, unless advised otherwise by a doctor. Most medications for hay fever should not be used in the first trimester of pregnancy. However, some nasal sprays and certain antihistamines can be used in the second and third trimesters, but under medical supervision. If in doubt about what hay fever medications to recommend to a pregnant woman, consult the pharmacist on duty.
People with asthma often notice that their asthma symptoms become worse during pollen season. In some people, if the pollen levels are high enough, an asthma attack can be triggered. In asthmatic customers, pollen irritates their airways in the same way that it irritates the eyes or nasal passages.
Unfortunately, research has shown that 90 per cent of people with asthma also suffer with hay fever. This makes it more important to manage hay fever symptoms in these customers, and healthcare professionals are now referring to this as the ‘United Airways’ approach to management. In children with asthma, studies have shown that adding hay fever results in more asthma-related hospital admissions.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
The HSE points out that while medication will treat the symptoms of hay fever, they will not cure it, and if it is a seasonal allergy, customers can stop taking their allergy relief when ‘pollen season’ is over. It should be noted that some antihistamines can cause drowsiness, particularly when combined with alcohol.
The list below is not exhaustive, but includes some well-known and proven therapies.
Cetrine Allergy 10mg 30 Film- Coated Tablets provide once-daily allergy relief from the symptoms of hay fever, including itch, runny and blocked-up nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. Cetrine Allergy also relieves the symptoms of urticaria hives and itching of the skin, and is suitable for use in adults and adolescents aged over 12 years.
The Zirtek range of products is also a trusted brand and includes Zirtek Oral Solution 100ml and 200ml, which treats the symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever or dust allergy. It effectively alleviates the main symptoms, including runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose, itchy eyes, and watery eyes. It contains cetirizine dihydrochloride, which can also alleviate the symptoms of idiopathic urticaria (hives), a continuously itchy rash with no known cause. This product is suitable for adults and children aged two years and older. Also in the range are Zirtek Allergy Relief Tablets 10mg, which come in packs of seven or 30 and are specifically designed to treat the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies, including dust, mold and pet allergies. Like the oral solution, it is suitable for the treatment of itching associated with hives. Suitable for adults and children aged six and over.
Another scientifically-proven therapy is Anti-Hist Allergy. Available in tablet and liquid solutions, it provides fast relief from hay fever and other allergies and treats symptoms such as nasal irritation, sneezing, runny or blocked nose, eye irritation and skin rashes. It contains dihydrochloride, the active ingredient that blocks the effect of histamine which occurs naturally in the body and contributes to allergic reactions.
Telfast 180mg is also proven to provide effective relief from seasonal hay fever and hives. Suitable for adults and children aged over 12 years, Telfast is non-drowsy and starts to work within one hour. It effectively relieves the symptoms of seasonal allergy and contains fexofenadine hydrochloride, a non-drowsy antihistamine.
Lorat 10mg Tablets are non-drowsy and help to relieve the symptoms of hay fever and other airborne allergies. Each tablet contains 10mg loratadine and like the options above, it can be used to treat chronic idiopathic urticaria and is suitable for adults and children over the age of two years.
Clarityn 10mg 30 Tablets also relieve the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies. They contain loratadine and provide fast, non-drowsy relief from sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. They are suitable for adults and children over the age of two years who weigh more than 30kg. Also suitable to help relieve the symptoms of urticaria.
Beconase Hayfever Nasal Spray provides up to 100 sprays and alleviates the symptoms associated with hay fever and other allergic conditions. It prevents and relieves nasal congestion, sneezing, and a runny, itchy nose due to hay fever and other allergic conditions, relieving pain and pressure around the nose and eyes. This product is not recommended for children.
It Has A Unique Thixotropic Formula, Which When Shaken Becomes Fluid For Easy Dispersion
Becodefence Plus Allergy Defence Spray 20ml provides dual-action two-in-one allergy defence against hay fever symptoms. This nasal spray has a unique double-action mechanism against allergy symptoms and reduces sensitivity to allergy triggers, and helps stop symptoms from developing in just three minutes. It has a unique thixotropic formula, which when shaken becomes f luid for easy dispersion, then settles back onto the nasal lining as a gel to block allergen contact. It is drug- and steroid-free, is non-drowsy, and is suitable for adults and children, and adolescents aged over 12 years.
The Sterimar range is another proven option and includes Sterimar Hayfever Allergy Nasal Spray 50ml. This is a sea-water spray that cleanses the nose efficiently and gently for nasal hygiene, symptom prevention, and care and comfort for all users. The unique Sterimar microdiffusion technique consists of a gentle, fine spray of sea-water onto the nasal mucosa. The micro-fine spray of Sterimar improves the spray’s bioavailability, allowing better assimilation of trace elements by the cells of the nasal mucosa. In addition, a special anti-reflux valve prevents air from entering the container, so that the solution remains aseptic until it is used up. The Sterimar range also includes Sterimar Breathe Easy Daily 100% Natural Sea Water Spray 50ml, which helps to relieve nasal congestion via a gentle micro-diffusion spray that is delivered through a shaped nozzle that fits any nose. Sterimar has no preservatives and is drug-free, and is suitable for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children aged from three years-plus.
Piriton Allergy Relief Tablets Chlorphenamine 4mg 30s alleviate the symptoms of hay fever, insect bites, skin allergies and food allergies. This product contains an antihistamine (chlorphenamine maleate) and is suitable for adults and children aged over six years, and may cause drowsiness.
Eurax Cream 10% w/w Crotamiton 30g stops itching fast and works for up to 10 hours. This product is used for the relief of itching and skin irritation and contains the active ingredient crotamiton 10% w/w. Eurax Cream is used for the fast relief of itching and skin irritation caused by itchy dermatitis, dry eczema, allergic rashes, hives, nettle rashes, chickenpox, insect bites and stings, heat rashes, sunburn, and personal itching. Suitable for children.
Clarityn Allergy 10mg Tablets 7s are also effective in the treatment of hay fever and other allergies and provide powerful, fast, non-drowsy 24- hour symptom relief. Clarityn Allergy tablets contain loratadine and are non-drowsy, and are suitable for adults and children aged six years and older with a body weight greater than 30kg.
