Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is usually caused by a reaction to pollen, trees, grasses and weeds are the most common sources of pollen grains dispersed in the air. The disease, symptoms include headache, itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat and skin, runny nose, watery eyes and wheezing. You can be the proof of hay fever through blood tests or skin prick test. Since it is possible that not only are allergic to one type of pollen, you should expect to be tested for different pollen sources.
There are many medications available today used to treat symptoms of hay fever. You must remember that the purpose of these medications is to treat the symptoms. The best way remains to avoid the possible cause of your allergy. Medicines for hay fever are:
- Antihistamines are of three types: fast-acting, short acting and long acting. Fast-acting antihistamines are usually the possibility of treating the symptoms after hay fever episode. Examples of this type is chlorphenamine antihistamines. Short-acting antihistamines such as loratadine and azelastine, treat mild to moderate symptoms. They are usually purchased over the counter without a prescription. You must be careful in taking the antihistamines, which can cause drowsiness. Moreover, long-acting antihistamines is not the result of sleepiness. They could also be as effective as other antihistamines. Examples include fexofenadine and cetirizine.
- Antagonists of leukotriene receptor: This type of medication is very effective without causing drowsiness in person. Because they are long acting, physicians instruct patients to take only once a day. Montelukast and zafirlukast are examples of this medicine.
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays, that are considered safer than oral medications, nasal sprays are very effective in relieving the symptoms of hay fever. Examples of this drug are fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone, and beclomethasone triaamcinolone.
- Treatment decongestant: as its name suggests, this drug relieves nasal congestion is the most common symptom of hay fever. Doctors do not advice use of this medication for long periods of time, which can lead to control of drug-induced nasal congestion.
- Cromolyn sodium: This drug works to prevent your mast cells release histamine that causes the symptoms. The drug is available as a nasal spray or eye drop. It relieves nasal congestion and conjunctivitis. Examples of this drug are Nasalcrom and Crolom.
- Allergy shots: This treatment is recommended for individuals regularly exposed to specific allergens and whose symptoms are increasingly difficult to manage. This is regular injection of allergen in increasing doses, forcing the body to adapt to the presence of allergen. This therapy is the most expensive and is usually done as a last resort. The risk of causing a secondary allergy and asthma is also high.
- Herbal medicine: herbs like eyebright, nettle and bayberry are known to relieve nasal congestion. Matricaria turmeric and on the other hand, have proven effective in treating hay fever by reducing inflammation of the mucosa.
These hay fever medications or treatments should be conducted under the close supervision of your doctor to protect it from adverse drug reactions.
Tags: Allergic rhinitis, Allergy shots, Antihistamines, Corticosteroid nasal sprays, Cromolyn sodium, Hay fever, Herbal medicine, Leukotriene receptor, Medications, Medicines, Treat symptoms, Treatment decongestant
