What is hay fever?
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to the fine powder that plants produce, called pollen, usually when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and throat.
Common symptoms are sneezing and coughing, runny or blocked nose, itchy, red or watery eyes, itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears, loss of smell, pain around the sides of your head and
forehead, headache, feeling tired.
Management is usually symptom control. Contact your local Pharmacy for further information about self-management and over-the-counter medication.
Medications
- Anti-allergy (Antihistamines) – e.g. Claritin, Piriteeze, Allegra
- Nasal sprays – e.g. Benacort, Avamays or any steroid based nasal sprays.
- Eye drops – for itchy and runny eyes.
- Consider the use of nasal irrigation with saline to rinse the nasal cavity using a spray, pump, or squirt bottle, which can be purchased over-the-counter.
Please talk to the pharmacy staff about available options to buy without prescription.
How to control symptoms
- Consider monitoring the pollen count using a website such as the Met Office so that avoidance measures can be used when pollen counts are high.
- Put petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your nostrils to trap pollen.
- Wear wraparound sunglasses, a mask or a wide-brimmed hat to stop pollen getting into your nose and eyes.
- Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
- Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible.
- Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth try to use a pollen filter in the air vents of your car, if you have one, and a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner.
- When pollen count is high, avoid:
- Cutting grass or walking on grass.
- Spending too much time outside.
- Fresh flowers in the house.
- Smoke or be around smoke – it makes your symptoms worse.
- Drying clothes outside – they can catch pollen.
- Letting pets into the house if possible – they can carry pollen indoors.
When to contact the GP
Please contact your GP is none of the above measures control your symptoms or if you have fever and other signs of infection.
