Hay Fever Remedies.
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Hay Fever Information Hay Fever Products Related Pages : Allergies : Immune System : Food Allergy & Intolerance : Nasal Problems : Catarrh & Sinus Problems :
Related Articles : Hay Fever Symptoms : Hay Fever Remedies : Natural Hay Fever Remedies :
Hay Fever Season ::
Understanding the different treatments available is the key to successfully controlling hay fever symptoms. One product on its own will not normally be enough to fully control the symptoms, as the severity of hay fever will vary through the year, and can be worse some years than others.
Treatment usually starts with antihistamines, which may be all you need for intermittant symptoms present for up to four days a week or up to four weeks in a row. They are quick acting and can be taken when needed.
Steroid nasal sprays are more effective for persistant symptoms lasting more than four days a week or more than four weeks in a row. They act as a preventative, and take one to two weeks to work fully. They are best started at the first sign of symptoms, or is the symptoms can be predicted at a certain time of the year then they should be started one to two weeks before the symptoms begin and continued every day until the season is over, even on the days without symptoms. Persistant symptoms may be caused by allergens inside the house, such as house dust mite.
There Are Six Main Types Of Hay Fever Treatment Available
1. Antihistamines
Antihistamines neutralise the chemical histamine, which is one of the main chemicals released when the body reacts to pollen, or has a similar allergic reaction. So, even though the body is reacting in an allergic way, you will not suffer the symptoms so badly. Tablet and liquid antihistamines can be used for occasional symptoms, as they start working within about half an hour. So, if you only have symptoms when the pollen count is high, you could watch the pollen forecast, and only take them when a high count is forecast. For symptoms that occur regularly they are best used on a regular basis as a preventative, starting at the first sign of any symptoms. They can be used together with any of the other groups of hay fever products, where one product is not enough to relieve the symptoms, or for those special occasions such as exams, interviews or weddings, where you need to be as symptom-free as possible.
Chosing the right antihistamine is important because many people say that some antihistamines work better than others for them, though the best one varies from person to person, so it is worth trying a different type if the first one doesn't seem to work well.
Older antihistamines are still popular, but with some people can cause drowsiness, which may be a problem with driving, concentrating, and drinking alcohol. However they are often cheaper than newer antihistamines.
- Chlorphenamine is quick acting and lasts for 6-8 hours. It is the active ingredient of -
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Piriton Allergy Tablets (Children over 6 years & adults)
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Piriton Syrup (Children over 1 year & adults)
- Chlorphenamine (Generic) is available as tablets and syrup
Newer antihistamines do not normally cause drowsiness, though some people can be affected to some degree. Many of them also work over the whole 24 hours, and can be taken as a single daily dose. There are three antihistamines to choose from -
- Acrivastine is quick acting and lasts for about 8 hours. The brands containing it are -
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Benadryl Allergy Relief Capsules (Children & adults 12 - 65 years)
- Cetirizine works over the whole 24 hours. The brands containing it are -
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Benadryl One a Day Relief Tablets (Children over 12 years & adults)
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Piriteze Allergy Tablets (Children over 12 years & adults)
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Zirtek Allergy Tablets (Children over 12 years & adults)
- Zirtek Allergy Relief For Children (Children over 6 years)
- Cetirizine Tablets (Generic) (Children over 12 years & adults)
- Loratadine works over the whole 24 hours. The brands containing it are -
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Clarityn Allergy Syrup (Children over 2 years & adults)
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Clarityn Allergy Tablets (Children over 12 years & adults)
- Loratadine Tablets (Generic) (Children over 12 years & adults)
2. Anti-Allergy Products
Anti-allergy products take a few days to start working, so start using them as early as possible at the first warning that your symptoms are starting, or when pollen warnings show your symptoms should be due. They are best then used regularly as a preventative. They can be combined with the antihistamine tablets or liquids where one product is not enough to relieve the symptoms.
Steroid nasal sprays are particularly effective where there is nasal congestion, where the lining of the nose is swollen, giving you a blocked nose. Don't be worried by the word 'steroid'. It is a very low dose, and very little is absorbed into the body generally, and so does not cause side-effects that a steroid tablet can. They should not continuously for longer than 3 months without consulting a doctor.
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Beconase Hayfever Nasal Spray (Adult over 18 years)
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Flixonase Allergy Nasal Spray (Adults over 18 years)
- Nasacort Allergy Nasal Spray
- Beclometasone Nasal Spray (Generic) (Adults over 18 years)
Mast cell stabilisers work by reducing the chances of the body's natural stores of histamine (the mast cells), releasing histamine, and thus producing the symptoms of allergy. They are not steroids, and are suitable for children.
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Opticrom Allergy Eye Drops (Children & adults - no age range given)
3. Decongestants
Decongestants are the same products you use for a cold. Decongestants quickly help to relieve a runny or blocked nose, and can help as a quick acting and short term fix. They can be used with the other three types of medicines. The tablets and liquids can be used for a week or two, but the nasal sprays should not be used for longer than a week, or you can become dependant on them.
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Sudafed have a tablet, liquid and nasal spray
Decongestants plus antihistamines combine the benefits of both products, and are useful where the two products need to be used together. The brands containing them are -
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Benadryl Plus Tablets (Children & adults 12 - 65 years)
4. Homeopathic Products
Homeopathic products can be used on their own or combined with antihistamines and anti-allergy products if they are not strong enough to control all the symptoms.
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New Era H Hay Fever Tablets (Children & adults - no age range given)
5. Herbal Products
Herbal Products can also be effective.
- Allerclear tablets, nasal spray and eye drops
6. Allergy Filters
Allergy filters are also popular.
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Nasal Air Guard is an air filter which is used in the nose. It is actually much more comfortable to use than it sounds. It filters out pollens and other allergens, and stops you breathing them in to your nose in the first place.
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Care Allergy Defence (Was Nasaleze) (Children & adults - no age range given) is a natural treatment for the nasal symptoms of hay fever. It is not a medicine, but an inert plant based extract, which comes as a very fine powder in a puffer bottle. A couple of puffs in each nostril coats the lining of the nose and protects its sensitive tissues from coming into contact with pollen. This helps stop the nasal symptoms of hay fever from occurring.
- Prevalin Allergy Nasal Spray produces a microgel lining to protect the nose from coming into contact with the pollen that is causing the problem. For adults and children 12 years and over.
Treatment Points To Note
Do not treat yourself for longer than 3 months without checking with your doctor, so that your doctor can check your treatment is correct. Some products state this in their information leaflet, but it is a sensible precaution for all of them.
Other ways your doctor can help include prescribing medicines which you can not buy from your pharmacy, and other treatments which need specialist advice, such as desentising you to something you are allergic to. Such treatments are normally only used for severe case of hay fever, where the normal products are not enough to keep your symptoms under control.
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