When should I start taking hay fever pills?

Spring brings the promise of brighter, longer days spent amidst blooming flowers and lush greenery. While this thought may bring a smile to your face, spring also marks the start of allergy season and the struggles you may have to endure if you have hay fever.

According to Margaret Kelman, specialist allergy nurse at Allergy UK, hay fever is a very common allergy affecting 15% of children and 26% of adults in the UK.

“It’s a seasonal form of allergic rhinitis, in which the lining of the nose becomes inflamed,” she explains.

This happens in some people who have extreme sensitivity to pollen – the fine powder made by flowers, plants or trees that can become airborne in high quantities during spring and summer. In people with hay fever, pollen is an allergen that triggers an immune system response, where cells lining the nose and eyes release chemicals to fight what the body perceives as a dangerous foreign substance.

It is this immune response that causes the symptoms of hay fever that cause distress and discomfort to many people each year.

“The main areas affected are the nose, throat and eyes because these are connected by the same duct,” says Kelman.

Common symptoms of hay fever include:

• Runny nose.

• itchy nose.

• nasal congestion.

• Itching in throat.

• Eye irritation.

• watery eyes.

• Sneezing.

• Asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing – For people with asthma, hay fever season can make symptoms worse.

You may find that you experience hay fever at different times than other people. This is because the three types of pollen peak at different times during the summer months. If you are really unlucky you may be allergic to one, two or all three types of pollen.

These pollen seasons can vary from one year to the next depending on the weather.

Of course, the most effective way to avoid hay fever would be to avoid being outside and around pollen. However, it’s almost impossible to avoid pollen completely and no one wants to be stuck inside for weeks.

You can keep track of pollen counts during these months. This is relatively easy to do in the spring and summer with TV, radio and newspaper coverage. You can also check the current pollen forecast online. A pollen count of more than 50 is considered high.

Hay fever pills are a generic, fast-acting, and highly effective option for treating most symptoms of hay fever. Hay fever pills are antihistamines, which work by blocking the chain reaction that occurs when your body releases the chemical ‘histamine’ as part of a symptom-inducing immune response to pollen.

While hay fever pills can be used for immediate relief from symptoms, they are also an effective pre-treatment. If you regularly experience hay fever and know the time of year when your symptoms begin, start taking hay fever pills early.

“It’s ideal to take hay fever pills every day for one to two weeks before the season starts,” says Kelman. “Although for some people it is not always easy to predict.”

This is because once your allergic reaction to pollen starts, it is hard to stop. A chain reaction occurs where more inflammatory cells are sent to your nose where pollen accumulates, making your symptoms more severe.

By starting an antihistamine, such as hay fever pills, a few weeks in advance, you can effectively stop this reaction before it starts. For some people, it may stop symptoms completely. For others, it at least limits irritation and may help prevent asthma exacerbations.

When are hay fever pills the right choice?

Kelman explains that hay fever pills are antihistamines, which means they can prevent and reduce symptoms like itching and runny nose, eyes, and throat.

“However, they are unable to treat congestion – blocked and clogged nose and sinuses,” she says. “For this, you have to use a steroid nasal spray.”

There are several steroid nasal sprays available over-the-counter. They work best when treatment is started before hay fever season begins – about four weeks in advance – so the cells have time to turn off the chemicals that cause inflammation.

There are many other forms of hay fever medication, including syrups, eye drops, antihistamine sprays and – in very severe cases – injections.

“It’s always worth asking your pharmacist what they recommend for your symptoms and allergy level,” advises Kelman. “Especially if over-the-counter hay fever pills aren’t working within a few days of regular use.”