Understanding Hay Fever & It’s Treatments

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, affects nearly 10 million people in England, which is almost one in four adults and one in ten children. It’s so common and yet every year people get caught out by the arrival of symptoms and struggle unnecessarily.

If you struggle with hay fever symptoms each year, our pharmacists are here to help you find the right treatment to keep your symptoms at bay. Pop into Ricky’s Pharmacy on Ewell High Street for your consultation, we’ll help you find the right medication for you and give you tips on reducing your exposure to pollen.

Symptoms of Hay Fever

Hay fever occurs when your immune system reacts to airborne allergens like pollen. Common symptoms can include:

• Sneezing and coughing
• Runny or blocked nose
• Itchy, red, or watery eyes
• Itchy throat, mouth, nose, and ears
• Loss of smell
• Pain around your temples and forehead
• Headache
• Feeling tired

These symptoms can persist for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after one to two weeks. Depending on the pollen you’re allergic to these symptoms can vary in which ones you get and their severity. It may be helpful to learn more about your typical hay fever symptoms by keeping a log of when symptoms stop and start.

In the UK, hay fever symptoms are usually worse between late March and September, especially when it’s warm, humid, and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest and you may find your symptoms getting worse.

How To Manage Hay Fever

While there’s no cure for hay fever, various treatments can help manage the symptoms. The most common one prescribed is antihistamines.These medications block the action of histamine, a compound in the body that causes allergic symptoms. They can be taken as tablets, nasal sprays, or eye drops so there’s an option for everybody.

Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness or other reactions so it’s always worth speaking to a member of our pharmacy team for advice on which medicine will be right for you.

More popular in recent years are nasal corticosteroids, commonly found in nasal sprays. These sprays help reduce inflammation in your nasal passages, relieving congestion and runny nose. They are effective for more severe symptoms are a great alternative for those who really suffer with symptoms but can’t take tablets.

There are so many different ways to treat and manage Hay Fever, it’s always worth the visit to Ricky’s Pharmacy to find the right option for you and your hay fever.

Tips and Tricks for Managing Hay Fever

Taking proactive steps can significantly reduce hay fever symptoms, here are some things to try this year:

Monitor pollen forecasts: Keep an eye on daily pollen counts and try to stay indoors when levels are high. The Met Office has a daily pollen forecast so you can track levels near you and take steps on days that are forecast to be very high in pollen.
Keep windows and doors closed: Especially during early mornings and evenings when pollen counts are typically higher.

Shower and change clothes after being outdoors: This helps remove pollen from your skin and hair.

Use a pollen filter in your car: If possible, use a pollen filter in the air vents of your car and keep windows closed while driving.

Apply petroleum jelly around your nostrils: This can trap pollen and prevent it from entering your nasal passages. There are different products available that do the same thing for different prices, but Vaseline will work just fine.

Maintain a clean environment: Regularly hoover your home and dust with a damp cloth to remove pollen that may have settled indoors. This is especially important if you’ve been outside on a high pollen day.

All of these tips are designed to help mitigate your exposure to pollen during your day. The less you’re exposed to the easier it will be to manage your symptoms.

As well as things to do, there are some things to avoid. Especially when the pollen count is forecast to be high.

Don’t

• Mow the lawn or walk on grass if you can avoid it.
• Dry clothes outside as pollen can stick to clothes, so it’s better to dry them indoors.
• Keep fresh flowers indoors as they can increase the pollen count inside your home.

By following these strategies and consulting with our pharmacists, you can manage your hay fever effectively and enjoy the warmer months with minimal discomfort. If you’d like to speak to us about hay fever medicine and eays to manage your symptoms, visit our pharmacy on Ewell High Street. We’re open 6 days a week, and you can always walk in for a quick chat and to get some advice or you can contact us online to arrange a more detailed appointment to go through your symptoms.