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| Allergy/Hayfever |
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An allergy is a faulty or inappropriately
vigorous reaction by the body’s immune
system. When working normally, the immune
system will defend the body against infection
by producing special proteins called antibodies to
inactivate invading micro-organisms or foreign
particles (antigens).
In people with allergies, the immune system causes a similar reaction
to substances like pollen, housedust mites, mould spores, peanuts or
egg whites, which it ‘thinks’ is an ‘attacker: these are
actually harmless to most of us. Any substance that causes this kind
of reaction is known as an allergen. People who develop allergies
are described as being ‘hypersensitive’ to a particular allergen.
People who are hypersensitive can develop allergies to a range of substances,
but may eventually grow-out of their allergy. Although hypersensitivity
can be passed on genetically, specific allergies may differ between family
members and some members of the family may never develop an allergy.
When someone has an allergic reaction their body will release histamine.
It is directly responsible for most of the local symptoms of allergy:
itching, red eyes, nose and skin; constriction of the airways due to
swelling and inflammation of the lining of the nasal cavities and the
lungs.
A more serious – but very rare - type of allergic reaction in which
breathing is restricted and the heart may stop is known as anaphylaxis or anaphylactic
shock. People known to be at risk must see their GP for advice and
treatment and carry a pack of emergency medicines at all times.
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| Hayfever
(seasonal allergic rhinitis) |
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| Condition |
Hayfever
(seasonal allergic rhinitis) |
| Symptoms |
Itching
sensation in the nose; streaming or watery
secretions from the eyes and nose; sneezing;
congestion; itching and redness of the
eyes.
There may also be intense itching in the back of the throat, caused
by drainage of allergens in fluid from the nose and in the ears.
Hayfever sufferers who are badly affected may also develop asthma
symptoms at the peak of the season as the two conditions are linked. |
| OTC Treatment |
NB:
If you have seasonal symptoms every
year it would be advisable to start
treatment in advance of the pollen
season to help keep your symptoms to
a minimum once it starts.
Symptom relief:
- Antihistamines and decongestants.
Antihistamines are usually given in the form of tablets for hayfever.
These can take between half an hour and several hours from the first
dose to reach effective concentrations in the blood and the affected
tissues of the eyes and nose.
Some antihistamines can cause drowsiness (e.g. chlorpheniramine,
chlorphenamine, diphenhydramine and promethazine.) important if you
are considering driving or operating machinery. This is made worse
by drinking alcohol which should be avoided.. Other antihistamines
have been developed to avoid this effect. These include acrivastine,
cetrizine and loratadine. These usually work within half an hour.
Symptom prevention:
- Nasal steroids
- Sodium cromoglycate eye drops.
Nasal steroids can be used for relief and prevention. OTC corticosteroid
nasal sprays are not generally recommended for people under 18 years
of age.
(If you have asthma you should check with your GP that you’re
not already taking corticosteroids)
NB: Some hayfever treatments are
not recommended for children aged less
than 12 years. Children under 2 years
should always be referred to a GP.
For OTC products, read Allergy/Hayfever |
| Other self-help |
The most effective way of avoiding
the symptoms of hayfever is to avoid
the pollen. If you’re prone to
hayfever it may help to stay indoors,
if possible, with the building or car
windows closed.
Good air conditioning or air filters can remove 99% of pollen particles
from the air.
Pollen counts are highest in the early morning and late evening
and even precautions taken at these times can help.
If staying indoors is not practical, you would benefit from avoiding
grassy fields and parks. Also avoid picking fruit or flowers and
stay away from newly mown grass. It is helpful to wear sunglasses,
even on dull days, and to avoid touching animals that may have
picked up pollen on their coats.
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| Other information |
Up to 12 million people in the UK
suffer from hayfever each year. Children
and young adults are the most commonly
affected, although some people over
the age of thirty continue to suffer
from hayfever.
Hayfever mostly occurs between May and August and is at its worst
in June and July when grass and tree pollens are at peak levels.
The nature and severity of hayfever symptoms vary, but tend to
be related to the daily pollen count.
Some external factors can make hayfever worse, such as cigarette
smoke, temperature changes, perfume, aerosols, some insecticides
and pollution such as fumes and smog.
If someone with hayfever symptoms
suddenly begins to have serious breathing
difficulties, along with swelling of
the mouth, tongue or throat, or deep
eye pain, they should be referred for
emergency treatment at once. These symptoms
may indicate the start of anaphylactic
shock.
Antihistamines rapidly improve symptoms in over 70% of hayfever
cases, being effective in relieving the itching of eyes, nose and
throat, sneezing and nasal secretions. Antihistamines, however,
have less effect on nasal congestion.
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| Perennial
allergic rhinitis |
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| Condition |
Perennial
allergic rhinitis |
| Symptoms |
Itching sensation in the nose; sneezing
and congestion.
There may also be intense itching in the back of the throat, caused
by drainage of allergens in fluid from the nose and in the ears.
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| OTC Treatment |
- Antihistamines to reduce the itching
and sneezing and to help dry the runny
nose.
- Nasal sprays containing a corticosteroid
or sodium cromoglicate can be used
to prevent and alleviate symptoms.
However, as long-term treatment will
be necessary, the use of corticosteroids
is best initiated by a GP.
For OTC products, read All
allergy/Hayfever Symptoms
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| Other self-help |
If you are aware of the source of
your hypersensitivity, try to avoid
the allergen.
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| Other information |
Different
allergens can cause hayfever-like symptoms
all year round, e.g. mould spores, housedust
mites and animal dander.
The eyes are not affected in perrenial allergic rhinitis. |
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| Condition |
Allergic
conjunctivitis |
| Symptoms |
Eyes
swell and become red, itchy and watery. |
| OTC Treatment |
- Various eye drops and nasal sprays
that include antihistamines such as
antazoline, azelastine and levocabastine.
For OTC products, read All
allergy/Hayfever Symptoms
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| Other information |
Before using OTC products, check with
your doctor that symptoms are actually
being caused by an allergy.
If you suffer from asthma you may need advice from your GP about
appropriate treatment.
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| Condition |
Insect
bites |
| Symptoms |
Inflammation
and/or itching where the skin has been
bitten.
Some people may experience a large, painful inflammation of the skin
and the soft tissue underneath it. |
| OTC Treatment |
- A thin layer of cream, lotion or
spray preparation containing an antihistamine
and/or a local anaesthetic should be
applied to the site of the bite. The
antihistamine reduces the inflammatory
response and relieves itching. A local
anaesthetic reduces any pain.
- Other soothing products that reduce itching (called antipruritics)
can also be used.
- Products containing hydrocortisone can also be used to bring
down the swelling and inflammation.
- If you have several bites that are causing itching over a large
area you may want to take antihistamine tablets. The older antihistamines
also have a sedative effect and will help people with severe itching
to sleep.
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| Other information |
Biting insects like mosquitoes and
midges, feed off human blood. When
they land on their prey they inject
a local anaesthetic into the skin to
prevent the bite being felt. They then
inject an anticoagulant which prevents
the blood clotting whilst they are
feeding. These substances will be recognised
as '‘foreign’ by the body
and an immune response will occur.
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| Condition |
Insect
stings |
| Symptoms |
Pain
and local inflammation of the skin.
If a person has become sensitised to the toxins found in a bee or
wasp sting there is a possibility that they might experience an anaphylactic
shock. Symptoms of this are: a widespread blotchy rash; puffy face
and eyes; difficulty in breathing and rapid pulse. This requires
urgent medical help. |
| OTC
Treatment |
- A thin layer of cream, lotion or
spray preparation containing an antihistamine
and/or a local anaesthetic should
be applied to the site of the sting.
The antihistamine reduces the inflammatory
response and relieves itching. A local
anaesthetic reduces any pain.
- Other soothing products that reduce
itching (called antipruritics) can
also be used.
- Hydrocortisone can also be used
to bring down the swelling and inflammation.
- If you have several bites that are
causing itching over a large area
you may want to take antihistamine
tablets. The older antihistamines
also have a sedative effect and will
help people with severe itching to
sleep.
For OTC products, read All
allergy/Hayfever Symptoms
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| Other self-help |
The
first step in dealing with stings is
to remove them carefully if they are
visible. This should be done with caution
as squeezing a sting could force more
toxin into your skin. Grasp the very
base of the sting not the small sac which
contains the toxin.
Clean the area with warm water and soap and apply a cold compress
directly to the area. |
| Other information |
Stinging insects like bees and wasps
inject a potent irritant (venom) into
the skin that can be extremely painful.
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