Page 82 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

80 COMMON CONDITIONS: MOUTH, NOSE, AND THROAT PROBLEMS

Hay fever

Hay fever is caused by an allergy to pollen or mold. When pollen grains or mold spores get into your eyes,
nose, or airways, they cause symptoms such as sneezing; a runny or blocked nose; itching in your eyes, nose,
and the roof of your mouth; watery, red eyes; and a cough. You may also develop wheezing. Symptoms can
develop at any time from early spring to early fall, depending on which pollens or molds trigger the allergy.
Hay fever tends to run in families that have a high incidence of allergic conditions such as asthma and
eczema, but many people seem to grow out of the problem as they get older.
See also Conjunctivitis, p.58; Blocked or runny nose, p.77; Wheezing, p.103.

What you can do yourself
DRUG REMEDIES
Most people are able to control their symptoms
using over-the-counter remedies. Try the following Antihistamine pills (see p.178) are a
to see what works best for you. convenient treatment that can be used as a one-time
treatment or regularly. They quickly relieve most hay
● Take an antihistamine to relieve most hay fever
fever symptoms, including sneezing.
symptoms (see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
Cromolyn sodium nasal spray
● Cromolyn sodium nasal spray (see DRUG (see p.181) helps relieve a runny nose. If you know
REMEDIES, right) can be used to prevent or relieve you are prone to hay fever, start using the nasal
a runny nose. spray a week or two before the start of the hay fever
season. It needs to be used continuously.
● For temporary relief of itchy, red eyes, use
Antihistamine/decongestant
antihistamine/decongestant eyedrops (see DRUG
REMEDIES, right). eyedrops (see p.178) contain the
antihistamine pheniramine and the decongestant
● Decongestant sprays can be used in the short naphazalone. They act quickly to provide temporary
term to clear a blocked nose (see DRUG REMEDIES, relief of itchy, red, and watery eyes associated with
right). They can also be used to help clear your nose hay fever.
before you start a course of cromolyn sodium nasal Decongestants (see p.181), available as
spray, allowing the spray to work more effectively. nasal sprays, act quickly. They are effective when
used occasionally to provide temporary relief from
● Avoid substances that can further irritate your
symptoms. Do not use them for more than 7 days,
nose and eyes, such as tobacco smoke or dust, however, or they may make you feel more congested
perfumes, or strong-smelling chemicals. when you stop.
● When the pollen count is high (usually on hot,
dry, windy days at midmorning and early evening),
stay indoors as much as possible, keeping windows
and doors closed. In a car, keep windows and air Seek medical advice
vents closed. Some newer cars have pollen filters.
Arrange to see your doctor if:
● Dry clothes inside if possible. If you do dry
laundry outside, bring it in before the evening. ● There is no improvement after you have
been using home treatments for 2–3 weeks
● Take a shower and wash your hair before bed
to remove pollen that has built up during the day.