Hayfever Medicines

If you suffer from hayfever, there are a number of treatments that you could consider. Seek advice from your pharmacist or doctor and find out which medication or treatment is most appropriate for your condition.

Although drugs do not cure allergies, the medicines available for treatment today are more effective and have fewer side effects than those available 20 years ago.

Types of treatment

• Antihistamines
• Steroid Sprays
• Decongestants
• Other

1. Antihistamines

When the body comes in contact with an allergen, histamine and a number of other inflammatory chemicals are released as part of the body's allergic reaction. Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, thereby reducing the symptoms of hayfever such as sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, red, watery and puffy eyes and nasal congestion. Antihistamines are available without prescription from a pharmacy. They come as tablets, syrups or nasal sprays. Some older antihistamines start working from 1-3 hours after dosing. A new, next-generation antihistamine, levocetirizine (Xyzal^® brand) starts working from as early as 30 minutes.

2. Steroid sprays

Steroid sprays are used in more severe cases of hayfever where the symptoms are not controlled by antihistamines. They deliver a low dose of steroid powder through the nasal passages to control the inflammation in your nose and to help control other hayfever symptoms. Steroid sprays can take a few days to work effectively. They are designed to be used on a daily basis over the hayfever season for up to 6 months at a time to prevent and control symptoms. Common side effects include burning or crusting around the nose. In severe cases, it could cause bleeding. You should see your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any of these side effects.

3. Decongestants

Decongestants can be used to relieve the congested nose in hayfever. It is not as effective as antihistamines in controlling the symptoms of hayfever as they simply relieve nasal congestion and do not affect other symptoms. Decongestants are available as tablets or nasal sprays. The nasal sprays are intended for short term use only. They should not be used for longer than 3 to 5 days at any one time as they can cause a condition known as "rebound congestion" from overuse.

There are many other medicines for treating hayfever. If what you're using is not helping, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Other

Anticholinergic agents eg. Ipratropium bromide is useful for drying up nasal secretions and mucus. It is available as a nasal spray effective for controlling runny noses only. It has no effect on sneezing or nasal congestion.

Cromones eg. Sodium cromoglycate is a preventative and is not used where symptoms have already occurred.

Cortisone injections tend to be prescribed only in more severe cases where the hayfever symptoms are not controlled with other over-the-counter medications. They provide relief for a week or two and can't be repeated frequently due to the possible side effects.

Natural products such as horseradish and garlic may help some sufferers, and some get relief from steam inhalations or salt water nasal sprays.

Immunotherapy injections (also known as 'desensitizing') is another option to treat severe hayfever. Repeated injections of small doses of allergen extracts are used to try to switch off the body's allergic reaction. The injections are given over several months, and often over a few years. Immunotherapy is initiated by an allergy specialist or clinical immunologist.