Hay Fever Treatment
What is Hay Fever?
Approximately 10-15% of the population suffer from hay fever. It is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with your eyes, nose, mouth and throat. Although pollen itself s harmless, in hay fever sufferers, it is the body's immune system that overreacts to the allergen and can cause the following symptoms:
Sneezing
Coughing
Itchy, red, watery eyes
Runny/blocked nose
How to treat Hay Fever
- Limiting pollen exposure
- Place vaseline around the nostrils to trap the pollen
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses
- Stay inside as much as possible
- Damp dust and vacuum regularly
Over the counter treatments
Antihistamines
These block the action of histamine, which is released by the body when it detects something harmful, or pollen in the case of hay fever.
Steroid Nasal Spray
Steroid nasal sprays contain man-made hormones which act in the body to reduce inflammation and swelling. They work on the lining of the nose and reduce symptoms such as sneezing and blocked nose.
Eye Drops
If eye symptoms are the main feature, using topical antihistamine eye drops may control the problem.
What are Hay fever treatments?
Hay fever treatment works within the body to reduce inflammatory responses. It is widely used in medicine for the treatment of certain breathing conditions, arthritis, endocrine disease, kidney problems, allergies, skin diseases and some blood disorders.
The powerful anti-inflammatory medicine that works by suppressing your body's immune response and symptoms.
The treatment is administered as an intra-muscular injection into the top of the buttock. After the injection the drug is slowly released into the body over several weeks and generally provides relief of symptoms for 3-8 weeks.
First line treatment for hay fever should consist of limiting pollen exposure and over the counter medications and should only be considered if symptoms are severe and not controlled by over the counter treatments. Over the counter or prescription medication, may still be required for symptom control even after treatment.
Is it safe?
As with any injection, there may be some redness, tenderness and a small lump at the injection site. This usually resolves in 24 hours. As the injections suppress your body's natural immune response, you should make your healthcare provider aware if you are having any vaccinations.
All medicines can cause side-effects and this is no exception, although most people will have mild or no effects.
An Allergan Registered Practitioner
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