What is it?
Hay Fever is an allergic condition also known as allergic rhinitis, which affects people mostly at a particular time of the year. Most cases occur when the pollen count is at its highest, between March and September.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of hay fever are similar to the common cold and include:
- Sneezing
- Blocked and runny nose
- Itchy, watery and red eyes
- Coughing
In case you suffer from asthma, the symptoms may get worse and it can also include:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Tight chest feeling
- Present shortness of breath
How to prevent hay fever?
Although it is really difficult to avoid exposure to pollen, you can adopt some precautions that help to minimize the chances of developing an allergic condition as well as reduce the symptoms of hay fever. These actions include:
- Avoid fresh flowers inside the house
- Do not cut, walk or lay down on the grass
- Try not to spend a long time outside
- Dry clothes inside the house
- Do not smoke and stay away from smoking areas
- If possible, do not keep pets inside the house
- Close the windows when driving
- Clean your house regularly, vacuum carpets and floors, and use a wet cloth to prevent the dust and pollen to spread.
Treatment
There are some options that you can easily find at your local pharmacy which help to treat the symptoms of hay fever. These include hay fever tablets, anti-allergy eye drops and nasal sprays.
At Tobin’s Pharmacy, we can advise you on the most effective treatments. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms of hay fever, please visit us, we are more than welcome to help you with the best treatment.
For more information visit our website.
References HSE.ie