Hayfever Season

Hay Fever is an allergic reaction to pollen that is common in Spring & Summer. Common symptoms include an itchy, runny or blocked nose, and itchy or watery eyes. Symptoms are typically worse in the evening and when outside. The commonest type of hayfever is allergy to grass pollen, and this peaks in June & July.
If you suffer from hayfever, symptoms will be reduced by reducing your exposure to pollen as much as possible. When the pollen count is high:
Stay indoors as nuch as possible and keep windows and doors shut.
Wash your face or shower after being outside, especially after going to the countryside.
Avoid cutting grass, large grassy patches and camping.
Wear wrap around sunglasses when you are outside.
Keep car windows closed and consider buying a pollen filter for the air vents in your car.
Medicines for treating hayfever are available over the counter at pharmacies. Please note that it is local NHS policy that medicines for hayfever should be bought rather than prescribed.
Many hayfever medicines are available on special offers at certain pharmacies, so it is worth shopping around. It is also cheaper to buy generic rather than branded products. The following information may be helpful, with generic names. Some are only suitabel for adults so you should ask the pharmacist for advice before buying any of them for a child.
There are lots of good deals on both the High Street and on the internet.
Antihistamines can relieve many of the symptoms of mild hayfever, such as sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. We recommend LORATADINE or CERTIRIZINE - these are effective while rarely causing drowsiness associaited with other antihistamines like chlorphenamine (Piriton).
A steroid nasal spray such as BECLOMETASONE and BUDESONIDE may ease a blocked or runny nose. This is best started when symptoms start, if not it may take 1 - 2 weeks to have effect. Itis important to use a nasal spray correctly - follow the instructions that come in the box.
SODIUM CROMOGLICATE eye drops may help relieve itchy or watery eyes.
Treatment should be continued on a regular basis throughout the hayfever season. If these medicines have no effect and your hayfever symptoms do not get better, you should make an appointment to see a GP or nurse in the practice. You should also make an appointment if you are becoming wheezy or are coughing a lot when youhave hayfever.