Do you get a stuffy nose every spring, summer and autumn, or sneeze and sniff all year round? If the answer is yes, you may have hay fever (allergic rhinitis) – an allergic reaction to certain substances in your environment. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Hay fever is common and your Unichem pharmacist will be able to help your symptoms.
Up to 30 percent of New Zealanders suffer from hay fever. Many allergy sufferers learn to live with their symptoms, only visiting their doctor when things become too difficult to bear. Up to 16 percent of sufferers don’t consult a doctor at all... which means they’re putting up with glorious spring days filled with runny, stuffy, itchy noses and frequent sneezing. If you’re one of the 30 percent, you don’t have to put up with the symptoms of allergy for a moment longer. Your local Unichem Pharmacist can talk you through a range of products available, from eye drops to oral medicine.
What gives us Hay fever?
Hay fever is caused by irritating substances in the air around us which trigger the release in the body of chemical called histamine. When that happens the fragile lining of your nose, sinuses and eyelids are irritated, causing sneezing and a runny and itchy nose, throat eyes and ears.
Hay fever or Cold?
The symptoms of hay fever can be quite similar to those of a common cold, so it can be difficult to tell them apart. Here’s how to spot the difference:
If it is hay fever, you may notice other symptoms like "allergic shiners" (the skin beneath your eyes swells and has a bluish tinge), facial pressure and pain, and an altered sense of taste and smell.
Seasonal or Perennial Hay fever?
"Seasonal" hay fever is caused by pollen from plants that flower seasonally, usually spring or autumn. Trees, grasses or weeds could be the culprits. "Perennial" hay fever (or perennial rhinitis) occurs thorughout the year with the most common causes being dust mites around the house, mould and pet fur.
Asthma and Allergies -the Link!
Most people with asthma have a general tendency to develop allergic diseases – and more than 80% find that their symptoms get worse when they are exposed to allergens. Managing your asthma symptoms therefore includes identifying the “triggers” that make things worse and doing all you can to avoid exposure to them.
Common Triggers
Many allergens are carried in dust particles, which can contain house dust mite droppings, skin, scales and fur particles (called “dander”) from animals, insect debris, food dust, pollens and moulds. Other common triggers include respiratory infections (common cold), cold, dry air, some medications, exercise, cigarette smoke, wood fire smoke, perfumes, paint, chemicals and gases.
Identify your triggers
It is important to know which particular triggers bring on your asthma symptoms. Sometimes it’s easy, e.g. cigarette smoke or animals, but others can be more difficult.
Some tips:
Keep a diary of when your asthma is worse
If you have asthma year round, with symptoms worsening a little in autumn, you may be allergic to house dust mite droppings
If your asthma is worse in spring and early summer, you may be allergic to pollens.
Other allergic reactions may include rhinitis (or hay fever), eczema, skin rashes and hives.