Hay Fever

Hay fever symptoms

Hay fever symptoms arise where the body is sensitive to pollen or dust. The sensitivity results in the release of histamine which in turn causes inflammation. Hay fever is usually treated with medication which prevents histamine release or prevents the inflammation caused by histamine. Other ways to prevent hay fever include avoiding pollen and dust, and in some cases, undergoing treatments aimed at desensitising the body.

Selecting hay fever treatment

Doctors usually prescribe antihistamine tablets first, then add nasal sprays and drops on top if needed. If you have just nasal or eye symptoms you could try nasal sprays or eye drops first, and then add antihistamine tablets on top if needed.

People's responses to hay fever treatments vary greatly. One antihistamine may work better for you than another. For this reason it is a good idea to try different hay fever treatments, or a new one if your existing one stops working.

Antihistamine tablets

We carry out consultations for three different antihistamine tablets on prescription in 1, 2 and 3 month quantities, Cetirizine, Loratadine and Telfast.

Antihistamine tablets start to work within 30 minutes and are taken once or twice daily. All the antihistamines we provide are of the newer type, frequently called non-sedative antihistamines. Antihistamine tablets work by blocking the inflammatory affect of histamine.

Nasal sprays

Nasal sprays are used on their own or combined with tablets and eye drops. They control sneezing and runny nose. Very little active drug is absorbed into the body.

There are two types of nasal sprays for which we carry out consultations:

• Steroid nasal spray
  Avamys and Beconase, need to be used for a few days before they start to work. They are for continuous daily use through the hay fever season. Maximum use 12 weeks.
• Antihistamine nasal spray
  Rhinolast, works within hours and can be used on an as needed basis. Maximum use 12 weeks.

Combining a steroid nasal spray with an antihistamine tablet can be more effective than either one alone.

Eye drops

Eye drops are used on their own or combined with tablets and/or nasal sprays. They control sore and runny eyes. Very little active drug is absorbed into the body.

There are two types of eye drops for which we carry out consultations:

• Rapitil and Sodium Cromoglycate are anti-inflammatory drops which work best if used regularly. Maximum use 12 weeks.
• Optilast is an antihistamine. Maximum use 12 weeks.

Combining eye drops with an antihistamine tablet can be more effective than either one alone.