Hayfever is the common name for an allergic reaction of the nose, throat and eyes. It is caused by an allergy to things such as pollen from plants. Things that cause allergies are called allergens.
Hayfever is usually appears about the same time each year, e.g. in spring or summer. This is when there is a lot of pollen in the air because many grasses, weeds or trees are flowering. This is called seasonal allergic rhinitis.
However some people get hayfever all year. This is called perennial allergic rhinitis. It is usually caused by an allergy to animal hair, house-dust mite and mould. Hayfever can be made worse by things that irritate an already sensitive nose such as smoke, chemical fumes or sudden changes in temperature.
Signs and Symptoms
When allergens enter the nose, throat or eyes, special cells called mast cells become active ( like a volcano erupting.) These cells release many substances including histamine, which cause symptoms such as:
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Sneezing
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Runny or blocked nose. Your sense of smell may be affected.
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Itchy nose.
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Watery, puffy, itchy, bleary or red eyes.
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Tickly or burning feeling in your throat or roof of the mouth. You may also get a cough or wheeze.
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Headache (due to blocked sinuses.)
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Itchy ears (inside.)
These symptoms are often
worse in the mornings or on windy days.
Some people may get confused between a cold and a hayfever. The
symptoms can be similar - e.g. runny nose, but with hayfever the mucus
from the nose is more watery and often there is more sneezing.
Treating Hayfever
Medicines cannot stop you being allergic but they can relieve or prevent symptoms of hayfever.
Antihistamines
Antihistamine medicines work to
prevent the histamine being released. For them to work best, you need
to start antihistamines before you are exposed to the allergens. If you
start an antihistamine when you already have hayfever, it may be two or
three days before your symptoms go away.
Antihistamines come as tablets, syrups, nose drops or nose sprays and
eye drops. Your Self Care Pharmacist can suggest the best
medicine for you.
Antihistamines can make people feel sleepy, however there are non-drowsy
ones available now. Talk to your Self Care Pharmacist.
Decongestants are sometimes used for a short term to relieve the runny nose and puffy eyes with hayfever. You can get decongestant tablets, nose drops or sprays and eye drops from your Self Care Pharmacist.
Nasal decongestant sprays or drops should not be used for more than five days in a row. If you use them for longer than this you may get "rebound congestion" where your nose will get even more blocked than when you started.
People who get hayfever all year round can use preventer medicines to control their symptoms. These are anti-inflammatory nasal sprays called corticosteroids.
Your doctor can prescribe nasal corticosteroids but you can also buy them from your pharmacist. They are Pharmacist-Only-Medicines so your pharmacist will need to ask questions to ensure that it is the correct medicine for you and also record your name and address.
Nasal corticosteroids may take two to three days to work, and in some cases one to two weeks, for full effect. For them to be effective, you must use them regularly everyday, throughout the hayfever season, even if you have no symptoms. This way they can effectively prevent the symptoms from developing. Even if you do get some symptoms while using these medicines, the symptoms are not as severe or long lasting.
Your doctor can inject you with tiny amounts of allergens that cause your allergy. This can help to strengthen your immune system so that when you are exposed to the allergen again, the reaction is less severe. Your doctor will need to discuss with you what causes your allergic reactions. This treatment may not be suitable for everyone with hayfever.
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Tell your Self Care Pharmacist or doctor what other medicines you take, as some medicines can interact with antihistamines and decongestants.
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Check with your Self Care Pharmacist or doctor if you have a medical condition like diabetes, glaucoma or prostate problems as some hayfever medicines may make these worse.
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Tell your Self Care Pharmacist or doctor if you are or think you might be pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.
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Avoid drinking alcohol or operating a vehicle if you take antihistamines that make you drowsy.
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See your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after five days of treatment, or if they become worse.
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Avoid the things that you know you are allergic to. Keep a diary of when and where you get hayfever, especially with plants or flowers e.g. pine tree or grass pollens
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Keep your home and car windows closed during windy days or when the pollen season is high.
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Avoid mowing lawns or walking in long grass. Wear sunglasses and face masks when necessary.
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Reduce house dust mite by vacuuming often and shampooing the carpet regularly. Hot-wash your bedding material regularly. Dust mite wraps for your mattress and pillow are available from the Allergy Society of New Zealand.
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Wear a face mask when vacuuming.
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Keep pets outdoors and vacuum their hair off the floor or furniture.
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Keep your house, car and workplace smoke-free.
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Avoid dry dusting - instead use a damp cloth to wipe over surfaces.
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Avoid sudden changes in temperature - wear warm clothes and maintain the temperature of your surroundings.
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Use your preventer medicines regularly. Start them a few days before the start of the pollen season if you get seasonal hayfever.
See your doctor if you have:
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A high temperature.
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An ear ache.
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Swollen glands in your neck.
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Green discharge from your nose or eyes.
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Wheezing or shortness of breath.
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Symptoms mentioned earlier, but only on one side (i.e. only one nostril or eye affected.)