24 Sep

Managing hayfever

By : Stephanie Newsletters

Spring has officially sprung! And with the change in seasons comes the struggle of seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hayfever.

Hayfever is a common allergic condition, affecting 1 in 5 Kiwis. It is caused by an immune reaction to environmental allergens that come into contact with your nose and sinuses. The result is a release of histamine, leading to inflammation of the nose, throat, sinuses and eyes.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is typically caused by wind-borne pollen from grasses and trees, which is why symptoms often occur in the spring-summer period (see pollen calendar below). Symptoms of allergic rhinitis at times other than spring-summer may be due to other allergens such as dust mites, pets or moulds.

The typical symptoms of hay fever are:

  • Blocked or runny nose
  • Itchy throat
  • Sneezing
  • Red, watery or puffy eyes
  • Blocked ears
  • Headache
  • Decreased sense of taste or smell
  • Lack of energy and fatigue.

In children, this may look like daytime sleepiness, eye rubbing, excessive blinking or sniffing. These symptoms can vary in severity and duration, and the effects on sleep, concentration, work/sport performance and socialisation can significantly impact your life.

Therefore, successfully managing the symptoms of hayfever can be essential for improving your overall wellbeing.

Hayfever is often diagnosed by the pattern and character of symptoms, that is, the characteristic symptoms described above occurring with spring and early summer, when pollen is usually more prevalent. Hayfever is commonly seen in people who have asthma or eczema.

So how can we manage hayfever?

1. Avoid the allergens that cause hayfever, i.e. pollen. While it is impossible to avoid pollen completely, minimising your exposure to pollen can reduce your symptom severity. This can be done by:

  • Staying indoors on ‘high’ pollen days when possible – check weather services (i.e. Metservice) for the ‘pollen forecast’,
  • Stay indoors on windy days and before, during or after thunderstorms
  • Keeping windows and doors shut where possible to keep out pollen
  • After being outdoors – change clothes, have a shower or rinse your eyes
  • Avoid drying your clothes outside as they can collect pollen
  • Wearing sunglasses outside to minimise pollen contact with your eyes
  • Use the recycle mode on your car’s air conditioner
  • Avoid rubbing your eyes as this can make symptoms worse

2. Medications can also be used to treat or prevent the symptoms of hayfever. A pharmacist and/or doctor can recommend treatments that are available over the counter or can be prescribed. Even if you are taking medication, you should continue to minimise your exposure to pollen.

3. Antihistamines, nasal sprays and rinses, or oral formulations are useful for relief as needed to help control the symptoms of hayfever. Nasal sprays provide rapid relief from nasal and sinus symptoms, whereas oral tablets can help with eye symptoms as well. Antihistamines will not, however, decrease the underlying inflammation. It’s also important to be aware that some oral antihistamines can cause drowsiness; make sure you check this before taking.

4. Corticosteroid nasal sprays act to reduce inflammation. As corticosteroids have a cumulative effect, they need to be used regularly to be effective.

5. Creating a personalised treatment plan (see link below) can help you keep track of your hayfever treatment and understand what works best for you.

When should I see a doctor?

You don’t necessarily need to see a doctor if you think you have hayfever, however an appointment can be useful if you are not sure if your symptoms are hay fever, you’re symptoms are not managed with the above treatments, you are concerned about sinus, ear and eye infections or if you have pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma.

Helpful resources

– Written by Hana Witty, 5th Year Medical student