Hay fever – Your essential guide

Hay fever is one of the most common allergic conditions and more than 4.6 million Australians suffer from it. Here we’ll discuss what Hay Fever is and how you can survive this Spring.

What is Hay Fever?

Hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction in the nose to environmental allergens. Most commonly it is caused by pollen, but can also be caused by animal hair, dust, and mould. Most commonly it arises during Spring due to the increase of pollen in the air.

What are some common symptoms?

Common symptoms include:

• Nasal congestion

• Runny nose

• Coughing

• Sneezing

• Irritated eyes

• Itchiness in the nose, mouth or throat

• Itchy skin

• Fatigue

What can I do to manage it?

There are some steps you can take to manage your symptoms:

• Stay inside on windy days or immediately after thunderstorms

• Check the pollen count before leaving the house, and avoid going outside on high pollen days

• Wear glasses to protect your eyes from pollen

• Use dustmite covers for your bedding, and frequently wash your bedding in hot water

• Wash your hands after touching animals

• Avoid strong odours and other irritants, as this can make hay fever worse

There is no cure for hay fever, but your pharmacist can help. There are a number of over the counter medications that may help relieve symptoms. These include:

• Corticosteroid nasal sprays – reduce inflammation in the nose

• Anti-histamine medications

• Decongestant nasal sprays

• Eye drops

Come in and see our friendly staff at Cremorne Town Centre Pharmacy for more information about the different options.