WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Typical symptoms of hay fever and perennial rhinitis are:

·       sneezing

·       itchy, blocked or runny nose

·       red, itchy or watery eyes

·       itchy throat, inner ear or mouth

·       headaches

·       a loss of concentration and generally feeling unwell

Different people will experience different symptoms. Some people might experience all the symptoms. Others might experience only a couple.

The common cold can often be confused with hay fever and perennial rhinitis because they all cause similar symptoms. However, a cold normally lasts for around a week. Sneezing, a streaming nose and itchy eyes which persist for a few weeks may well be due to either hay fever or perennial rhinitis.

Allergens can also trigger asthma symptoms: tight chest, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. If this happens to you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible. They will give you medicines to help you control these symptoms.

Helpful Hints - Asthma Society of Ireland

HOW TO CONTROL HAYFEVER AND RHINITIS

You can try to avoid those allergens that affect you, or you can take effective medication (as allergens are impossible to avoid completely).

A combination of the two is often the most successful method of controlling symptoms.

AVOIDING POLLEN & SPORES

Pollen and spores are a problem in towns and cities as well as in the countryside. This is because they are small and light enough to be carried in the air over great distances during the course of the day.

Most pollen is released in the morning and rises skywards with the heat of the day. It then gets whisked overland by winds and breezes. The pollen then sinks back to earth late afternoon/early evening as the temperature starts to drop.

Although it's difficult to avoid pollens and spores completely, there are several sensible and worthwhile precautions you can take.

Indoors

·       Keep doors and windows closed, especially mid-morning and late afternoon/early evening. These are the times when the pollen count is usually at its highest

·       Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth

·       Avoid drying your clothes outside. But if you do, give them a good shake before bringing them back into the house. That way you'll get rid of any pollen and spores that might have blown onto them

·       If you've been out walking or gardening, shower, wash your hair and change your clothes when you get back in. That way you won't be carrying spores and pollen around the house

·       Splash your eyes with cold water regularly. This will help flush out any pollen. It will also soothe and cool your eyes

·       Keep furry pets out of the house during the hay fever season. If your pet does come indoors, wash or bathe them regularly to remove any lingering pollen from their fur

·       Keep fresh flowers out of the house

Outdoors

·       Check the pollen forecast on the television or in the newspaper before venturing outside. This will give you the chance to stay indoors if there's a high pollen count

·       Check today’s pollen count: http://www.met.ie/forecasts/pollen.asp (Please note this is only available from June to August)

·       Wear wraparound sunglasses. These will help stop pollen blowing into your eyes

·       Smear Vaseline inside your nose. It might sound horrible, but it can help to stop pollen and spores from settling on the lining of your nose

·       Keep your car windows closed. Some cars can be fitted with pollen filters. Ask at your local garage for further details

·       Try to stay out of places with lots of grass, like parks or fields

·       Try to avoid mowing the lawn or weeding. These activities can create clouds of pollen and spores

·       If you enjoy gardening, consider creating a hay fever-friendly environment for yourself.  

AVOIDING OTHER ALLERGENS

Indoors

If you have perennial rhinitis and are allergic to the house-dust mite:

·       Use barrier covers for your bedding

·       Hot wash (at 60°C) all bedding at least once a week

·       Vacuum frequently using a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner

·       Dust regularly with a damp cloth

·       If you don't already own a pet, think carefully before getting one

·       If you already have a family pet, keep it out of lounge and bedroom areas and bathe it regularly

HAYFEVER AT EXAM TIME

If you're sitting an exam, it's important that you get your hay fever symptoms under control as early as possible. Once your hay fever is under control you'll find yourself sleeping better at night. This means you'll feel much fresher during the day, and will be able to concentrate much harder on your revision. Of course you will obviously feel a lot better in yourself if you're not sneezing or sniffing or rubbing your eyes all the time.

Before your exam

·       See your doctor or pharmacist well in advance of the hay fever season (and certainly no later than the Easter holidays) to make sure you've got the right treatment. You don’t want to be taking medication that may cause drowsiness!

·       Tell your teacher you have hay fever. Your teacher might want to write to the exam board on your behalf. The exam board might take your hay fever into account when your paper is marked - especially if your symptoms are really bad during the exam

On exam day

·       Take your regular medication

·       Tell the adjudicator if your hay fever is bothering you

·       Splash your eyes with cold water before going into the exam room

·       Try not to sit near an open window

·       Keep a supply of tissues and an effective, quick-acting hay fever treatment close at hand – just in case. (And good luck!)

HAYFEVER TREATMENTS

There is no cure for either hay fever or perennial rhinitis. However, in most cases symptoms can be controlled effectively.

Below are some of the most widely used treatments for hay fever and perennial rhinitis. For some you need a prescription from your doctor. Others can be bought over the counter without a prescription. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about the most suitable treatment.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines provide quick relief for symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes and itchy throat. They work by stopping many of the effects of histamine – one of the chemicals the body releases during an allergic reaction.

They come in tablets, capsules or as liquids. Examples include Clarityn® (loratadine), Zirtek® (cetirizine) and Piriton® (chlorphenamine).

Clarityn® is the OTC anti-histamine least likely to cause drowsiness and so is a drug of first choice. It works quickly to give effective symptom relief which lasts up to 24 hours.

Side effects

Newer antihistamines cause little if any sleepiness, but older types such as Piriton® (chlorpheniramine) can make you drowsy. Don't take these older types if you are going to drive, operate machinery or sit an exam.

Decongestant sprays: Otrivine®, Sudafed®

Decongestant sprays may be used occasionally to relieve stuffy or blocked noses.

Although side effects are rare, they must only be used for 7 days at a time. If overused, they can lose their effect. This can lead to a need for bigger and bigger doses.

Preventer treatments

Preventer treatments are used to prevent nose and eye symptoms developing in the first place. They do this by reducing inflammation in the nose and eyes. They are very effective at controlling hay fever and perennial rhinitis symptoms if used regularly each day. If you have hay fever, you should start using them a couple of weeks before the hay fever season starts.

Nasal sprays and nose drops are available. Some contain a corticosteroid - for example, Flixonase® (fluticasone). Others contain sodium cromoglycate (for example, Haycrom® and Opticrom® Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as there are many others available.

How to take nasal sprays and drops

If you use a nasal spray, bend your head forwards to look at your feet before spraying one or two sprays into each nostril and breathing in slowly. If you use nasal drops, you need to bend right over so that your head is upside down. If in doubt, read the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to check that you are taking your medicine correctly.

Side effects

Some preventer treatments contain a small amount of corticosteroid. They do not generally cause side effects. Some patients report irritation and occasionally nose bleeds.

If you need to take corticosteroids long-term, discuss this with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Remember – always read the label and do not exceed the stated dose.

Eye Drops

Drops such as Haycrom® and Opticrom® are very effective at alleviating watery, itchy eyes. Care should be taken for those who wear contact lenses. Ask your pharmacist which drops are suitable. Side- effects with eye drops are unusual, however some patients say they can sting a little on administration. 

PREGNANCY & BREASTFEEDING

Prevalin™microgel spray is a new way to treat hay fever symptoms in the nose and eyes and is safe to use in pregnancy and breastfeeding. It works by lining the inside of the nose and defusing pollen before patients develop full-blown symptoms. It is non-medicated and preservative free and has no known side-effects. Because of the way it works patients should use Prevalin before or as soon as they feel the first symptoms, to prevent an allergic reaction occurring.

WHICH TREATMENTS ARE THE BEST TO TAKE?

If you have hay fever, early preventative treatment is the most effective. Visit your doctor or pharmacist well before the hay fever season starts. If your symptoms are mild, you may only need to take an antihistamine tablet when you have symptoms. If this is not enough to control the problem, you may need to use a preventer treatment also. An example might be one of the steroid nasal sprays listed above.

Often the best way to control symptoms is to take a preventer nasal spray or drops together with an antihistamine tablet. Anti-allergy eye drops can be added and should be used regularly if you have symptoms affecting your eyes.

Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. They will be able to advise you on which treatments are the best for you.