Medical App & Medical Advice with Hello Doctor

Stop hay fever in its tracks!

Spring is almost here! We love that it means the end of winter, but it can also set off those horrible spring allergies! Sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes may feel just like you have a cold, but if it’s Spring-time, you may be suffering from hay fever. Luckily, there are ways to prevent and treat the symptoms of hay fever.

Prevent an attack!

Hay fever is an allergic reaction caused by something known as a trigger. The most important step is to figure out what triggers your hay fever, and to stay away from it – these are common hay fever triggers:

  • Grass, tree and weed pollen
  • Dust mite and cockroach allergens
  • Rodent, cat, and dog dander
  • Mould spores

If you have an allergy to pollen, here are some useful prevention tips:

  • Wear wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes when you are outdoors
  • Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors, to remove any pollen on your body and in your hair
  • Stay indoors as much as possible when the pollen count is high (over 50)

How to manage a hay fever attack

If you suffer an attack of hay fever, these are the usual treatment options:

  • nasal sprays
  • inhalants
  • oral anti-histamines
  • oral decongestants

Chat to your pharmacist about which are best for you and remember to ask about side effects such as drowsiness, which can be dangerous if you need to drive or operate machinery.