Hayfever

Hayfever

Hayfever is a condition that occurs seasonally, typically in spring. Symptoms can be similar to a cold. You may also have an itchy nose, roof of the mouth or eyes, sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, a sore or tickly throat and/or red or watery eyes. The medical term for hayfever is seasonal or intermittent allergic rhinitis. People who suffer from similar symptoms all year round are said to have persistent allergic rhinitis, which is not hayfever, although it may be treated in a similar way.

Hayfever is mostly associated with triggers or allergens, such as pollens, grasses, moulds, or fungal spores. Symptoms usually appear when there are levels of these allergens around, which may be in spring, in the morning or evening, or in hot, humid, or windy weather. Symptoms may get worse as the season goes on.

People who have suffered from allergies, asthma or eczema in the past, or who have a family member with one of these conditions, are more prone to hayfever. It commonly occurs in children and teenagers, but tends to improve with age.

Hayfever can be troublesome enough to interfere with sleep, work or learning, and for this reason, it is important to try to prevent and treat this condition.

See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional

If you have other medical conditions, take regular medication for any reason, are elderly or frail, or if the person with hayfever is a young child, you should always talk to a pharmacist. Also talk to a pharmacist if:

You have shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing – this could be asthma

You have swollen glands, a fever and/or a persistent headache – you may have an infection

You have yellow discharge coming from your eyes or nose, or a bloody nose

Only one side of your nose or one eye is affected

Your ears or sinuses – around your cheekbones – are painful

Your symptoms seem to occur all year round

You are pregnant or breastfeeding – some hayfever medicines may not be suitable

You have allergies to any medicines

Hayfever medicines do not seem to work after five days.

Treatment Tips

Try to identify activities or allergens that seem to bring on your hayfever or make it worse

Avoid or limit exposure to these activities or allergens if possible

Avoid grassy areas (especially if the grass has just been cut) and try to stay indoors when pollen counts are high. Keep windows and doors closed

Wear sunglasses (the wraparound variety are best) when going outside to help keep pollen out of your eyes

Consider wearing a mask or scarf around the nose or face if pollen-abundant areas can't be avoided

Wash your hands and face, and also wipe pets down with a damp cloth after being outside (this can remove pollen or grasses attached to your skin or your pet's fur)

Start treatment early – especially if you know you will be exposed to triggers

If you are using a corticosteroid nasal spray, remember to use it regularly since the maximum relief may not be obtained for several days

If you have eye and nasal symptoms, controlling nasal symptoms often improves the eye symptoms.

Treatment Options

There are two main types of medicines to treat hayfever:

Medicines that treat or prevent an allergic reaction, such as corticosteroid nasal sprays and antihistamines

Medicines, such as decongestants, that relieve the symptoms rather than treat the allergic reaction.

It is better to treat or prevent the allergic reaction, so the treatment choice depends on what your main symptoms are, when they happen and how severe they are.

Some medicines need to be taken before you have symptoms and be used regularly to be effective.

There are also many tablet and syrup products available that combine an antihistamine with a decongestant, and sometimes a pain reliever as well.

Some combination options are included in this information but there are many more available. Your pharmacist can tell you if one may be suitable.

Always discuss treatment options with your pharmacist to ensure the best outcome.

Nasal corticosteroid sprays

[PHARMACY ONLY]

e.g., Alanase, Beconase Allergy and Hayfever, Flixonase Hayfever and Allergy, Telnase

Nasal corticosteroid sprays work by suppressing the body’s response to allergens or triggers

These sprays are particularly effective for more severe or persistent hayfever

Use the spray every day throughout the hayfever season to prevent hayfever

You can begin the spray a few weeks before the hayfever season starts

These sprays may take a few days to start working and a nasal decongestant or an antihistamine may be required initially, just for a few days. The full effect of nasal corticosteroid sprays may not be seen until after several weeks of regular use

Nasal corticosteroids are considered safe but some minor side effects include irritation, unpleasant taste, headache, coughing and nasal dryness.

Nasal decongestant sprays

[PHARMACY ONLY]

e.g., Dimetapp 12 Hour Nasal Spray, Drixine, Otrivin

These decongestants unblock your nose and make breathing easier

Decongestants may be used for symptom relief while waiting for nasal corticosteroids to take effect

Decongestants may not be suitable for young children. Ask your pharmacist

Do not use for longer than three days, otherwise their effect is lost and a blocked nose from rebound congestion is likely.

Oral antihistamines (tablets and syrups)

When you have an allergic reaction your body releases histamine, which leads to hayfever. Antihistamines block this reaction. There are two types:

Newer non-sedating antihistamines, which do not typically cause drowsiness

Older sedating antihistamines that cause drowsiness.

Antihistamines are good for treating hayfever symptoms as they occur, especially if you have a lot of different symptoms. You can also take them in advance if you know you are going to be exposed to allergens or triggers.

Newer non-sedating antihistamines

[GENERAL SALE]

e.g., Telfast (5-day starter packs only)

[PHARMACY ONLY]

e.g., Aerius Tablets, Allerid-C, Arrowcare Fexofast, Arrowcare Zetop, Claratyne, Lorfast, Razene, Telfast 180mg, Xergic, Zyrtec

Some of these products are available as syrups for children – check correct doses for different age groups

Newer antihistamines may rarely cause drowsiness – do not drive or operate machinery if you are affected.

Older sedating antihistamines

[PHARMACIST ONLY]

e.g., Phenergan, Polaramine

Not available without a prescription for children under two years old

These medicines can cause drowsiness, sometimes the next day – it is important you do not drive or operate machinery

Do not drink alcohol with any medicine that makes you drowsy

Sedating antihistamines are not suitable for everyone and must be sold by a pharmacist

If you have other medical conditions, such as glaucoma, epilepsy or prostate problems, or you take antidepressants, check with your pharmacist before taking these medicines.

Anti-allergy nasal sprays and eye drops

[PHARMACY ONLY]

e.g., Cromolux Eye Drops, Livostin Eye Drops, Livostin Nasal Spray, Lomide Eye Drops, Visine Allergy Eye Drops, Zaditen eye drops

Anti-allergy drops and sprays can relieve symptoms such as itching, sneezing and watery eyes

some eye drops require frequent administration (four to six times daily), and can be used as a preventative up to one week before allergy symptoms occur – check the instructions with your pharmacist

Some eye drops combine an antihistamine with a decongestant (e.g., naphazoline) which reduces redness – these are for short term use only

You may need to remove contact lenses before using – check instructions

Throw drops away one month after opening – mark the opening date on the bottle

Some eye drops cause temporary stinging.

Combination products

These treat a range of symptoms, and may contain:

–Analgesics – these relieve pain

–Decongestants and antihistamines – these can help to relieve a blocked or runny nose

Decongestant + analgesic

[GENERAL SALE]

e.g., Panadol Sinus Relief PE

[PHARMACY ONLY]

e.g., Sudafed PE Sinus + Pain Relief

Decongestant + antihistamine

[PHARMACY ONLY]

e.g., Dimetapp Elixir, Dimetapp Elixir Colour Free, Maxiclear Hayfever & Sinus Relief

Decongestant + antihistamine + analgesic

[PHARMACY ONLY]

Eg, Sudafed PE Sinus Day & Night Relief

Use these products occasionally, when symptoms are particularly bad, but don't use them continuously (i.e., for longer than three to five days at a time)

Many of these medicines are not suitable for children. Always ask your pharmacist for advice when buying medicines for children.

Always check the ingredient list on the packet and make sure you are not doubling up with other products you may be taking. (The maximum daily dose of paracetamol for an adult is 4g (4000mg) – and no more than 1g (1000mg) every four hours. See manufacturer’s directions for children’s doses).

Products containing pseudoephedrine

[PRESCRIPTION ONLY – Controlled Drug]

Pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) is no longer available without a prescription.

Natural/herbal products/supplements

e.g., butterbur, pycnogenol, vitamin C, homeopathic sabadilla, homepathic allium cepa, Kiwiherb De-Stuff

Some natural ingredients are effective at relieving symptoms of hayfever

High-dose vitamin C may help control the allergic reaction causing hayfever.

More Information

Availability of medicines

GENERAL SALE available through pharmacies and possibly other retail outlets.

PHARMACY ONLY available for sale through pharmacies only.

PHARMACIST ONLY may only be sold by a pharmacist.

PRESCRIPTION ONLY available only with a prescription from your doctor or other health professional.

PRESCRIPTION ONLY - Controlled Drug available only with a Controlled Drug Prescription from your doctor.

Consumer Medicine Information on some medicines is available at the government website www.medsafe.govt.nz