Enjoy the outdoors with hay fever treatments

Hay fever, known medically as allergic rhinitis, is a common allergic reaction mainly caused by pollen. It is one of the most common allergies, affecting around 20% of people in Europe. It causes symptoms like watery eyes, a runny nose and frequent sneezing.

There are two types of hay fever. Seasonal allergic rhinitis occurs during specific times of the year and is often associated with seasonal allergens like pollen. Perennial allergic rhinitis occurs throughout the year, and is more likely caused by other allergens like pet hair, mould spores or dust.

There is no cure for hay fever; most people will experience it throughout their lives. However, there are many treatments available to effectively manage symptoms.

Hay fever is caused by an overactive immune system response. Your immune system overreacts to harmless substances like pollen and mistakenly identifies them as harmful. This is what triggers allergy symptoms.

1. Exposure - you come into contact with an allergen with your mouth, nose, eyes or throat.
2. Immune system error - your immune system misidentifies the harmless substance as a threat.
3. Antibody production - this causes antibodies, mainly IgE, to target the allergen.
4. Chemical response - when you encounter the allergen again, these antibodies trigger the immune system to release chemicals like histamine. This is what causes inflammation and symptoms.

Finding out what triggers your symptoms is the first step to managing your symptoms. If you know the cause, you can prepare for it.

Pollen

The main trigger of hay fever is pollen, the fine powder produced by plants. There are three types of pollen that are released at different times of the year.

1. Tree pollen - released by the flowers of trees, and is prevalent from late March to mid-May.
2. Grass pollen - the most common cause of hay fever, and is prevalent from the end of spring (May) to the beginning of summer (June to July)
3. Weed pollen - the most stubborn type, as it grows everywhere, is released throughout the year, but especially from late April to the end of September.

Depending on when you experience symptoms, you can find out what type of pollen causes you symptoms.

Other triggers

If you experience symptoms throughout the year, it’s most likely that another allergen is causing you symptoms.

• Dust mites - tiny creatures that live in household dust.
• Pet dander - proteins found in the skin flakes, urine and saliva of pets such as cats, dogs, rodents and birds.
• Mould - grows in damp areas like bathrooms, kitchens and basements, which can cause symptoms when inhaled.
• Cockroaches - more common in urban areas, the saliva, droppings and body parts of cockroaches can trigger symptoms.
• Air pollution - while not an allergen itself, contact with pollutants like vehicle fumes, industrial emissions and cigarette smoke can make hay fever symptoms worse.
• Occupational allergens - certain work environments, such as exposure to chemicals, dust, fumes or animals, can trigger hay fever.

Your body causes hay fever symptoms to try and get rid of the allergen from your body. Hay fever symptoms can include:

• frequent sneezing
• a runny or blocked nose
• itchy, red or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
• itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
• loss of smell
• headache
• feeling tired or irritable

Is it a common cold or hay fever?

The symptoms of a common cold can easily be confused with hay fever. The best way to tell them apart is based on the type of symptoms, how and when they occur.

Hay fever symptoms come on suddenly when you are exposed to an allergen, usually causing itchiness, watery eyes and clear mucus. Colds develop more gradually and usually cause a cough, fever, body aches and thicker green/yellow mucus.

Cold symptoms also only last 7-10 days, whilst hay fever symptoms will last for as long as you encounter the allergen.

Hay fever does not usually require a formal diagnosis. You can usually tell it's hay fever based on the history of when and where symptoms occur.

However, you might need a diagnosis if the cause of your symptoms is not clear, or you need to know the exact cause for treatment. There are two allergy testing methods available.

• Skin prick test - involves placing small amounts of allergen on the skin surface by pricking or scratching the skin to see whether there’s a reaction.
• Blood tests -specific blood tests that sample the types of antibodies your body produces in response to allergens, which help identify which allergens cause you symptoms.

You should speak to your GP or allergist if you are interested in allergy testing.

There are a variety of treatment options for hay fever. The best hay fever treatment will depend on your lifestyle and symptoms.

• Antihistamines - a group of medicines that block the effects of histamine to relieve general allergy symptoms. They are available as tablets (e.g. Fexofenadine), nasal sprays or eye drops.
• Steroid nasal sprays - nasal sprays like Avamys reduce inflammation in the nasal passage, specifically targeting nasal symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose. They are designed to help with symptoms over time.
• Combination nasal sprays - nasal sprays like Dymista contain both an antihistamine and a steroid to deliver a dual-action effect on hay fever symptoms. They target inflammation and the immune response, providing rapid relief.

As well as treatment, there are many self-help measures that can keep hay fever symptoms at bay.

• Check pollen counts each day - this can help you prepare for high pollen counts.
• Put petroleum jelly (Vaseline) under your nose - this traps pollen or other allergens from entering your nasal passage and causing symptoms
• Vacuum and dust regularly - this helps prevent a build-up of dust mites
• Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible - this prevents any pollen from entering your home and causing you symptoms.
• Do not cut or walk on grass - this will limit the release of grass pollen.
• Limit outdoor exposure where possible - if the pollen count is too high, avoid symptoms altogether by staying in.
• Do not dry clothes outdoors - this will prevent pollen from getting stuck to your clothes while they dry
• Shower and wash your clothes regularly - this will get rid of any pollen that is stuck to your skin and clothes

You should see a doctor if your allergy symptoms are persistent, affect your daily life or are not controlled by over-the-counter treatments. Your doctor may be able to recommend stronger or specialist treatment for hay fever allergies​, like immunotherapy.

You should also see your doctor if you are not sure what is causing your allergies. You may require specific allergy testing and monitoring.

You can order hay fever treatment online from 121doc. 121doc offers an online service that allows you to complete a secure medical questionnaire and receive expert guidance and treatment options without the need for a face-to-face appointment.