There is currently no cure for Hayfever however this condition can best be controlled using various treatment options. Many cases can be controlled using over-the-counter (OTC) medication available at pharmacies, but if your symptoms are more troublesome, certain prescription-only-medicine (POM) may be more suitable.
Hayfever Treatment options include:
Lifestyle advice
Hayfever can be better managed through:
- Wearing protective sunglasses to reduce pollen getting into your eyes
- Changing your clothes and showering regularly to remove pollen from your body
- Trying to stay indoors or avoid areas with high pollen count
- Try to avoid gardening activities
- Use an air purifier at home which works to remove impurities, dust and pollen from your surrounding air
- Apply Vaseline around the nostrils to trap pollen
- Avoid smoking or being around people who smoke, as this can make hayfever symptoms worse
Medication
- Antihistamines work by preventing the action of histamine, which is released by the body in response to pollen. They have good value in treating runny nose and sneezing, but are usually less helpful for nasal congestion. Antihistamines can be administered orally, or can be applied locally in the eye (in the form of eye drops), or in the nose (in the form of nasal drops) or on the skin.
- Corticosteroids are effective in treating Hayfever. In rare cases, very disabling symptoms of Hayfever may benefit from the use of systemic (oral) corticosteroids for short periods. However corticosteroids are better used locally in the form of nasal sprays and are considered to be more effective than antihistamine nasal sprays.
- Decongestants can be used in short periods to relieve nasal congestion to help alleviate Hayfever symptoms. These medications are available as nasal sprays such as Mometasone, tablets and other formulations for inhalation.
