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Allergic Rhinitis also commonly called HayFever, is an allergic reaction that causes cold – like symptoms. Which include sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes & runny nose. Unlike the common cold, Hay fever is not caused by a virus but is due to an allergic response to tiny particles in the air called allergens.
Common allergens that trigger hay fever include pollen, dust mites & pet dander.
Despite being called Hay fever, Hay doesn’t cause Hay fever and most people don’t get fever!
Hay fever symptoms can include:
Runny nose and nasal stuffiness (congestion)
Watery, itchy & red eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
Sneezing
Coughing
Itchy nose, roof of mouth and or throat
Mucus running down the back of your throat (postnasal drip)
Swollen, red & bruised appearing skin under the eyes
Extreme tiredness (fatigue), often due to poor sleep
Hay fever signs and symptoms can occur all year round or may start or increase at a particular time of year (seasonal).
Hay fever triggers include:
Tree pollen - Common in early spring
Grass pollen - common in late spring and summer
Ragweed pollen - common in fall
Dust mites and cockroach droppings - present all year round
Dander from pets - year-round. But worse symptoms in winter, when houses are closed
Spores from indoor and outdoor fungi and molds - be both seasonal and year-round
Symptoms of a Common Cold and Hay Fever are similar, but there are few differences.
Itchy, red and watery eyes are very common with allergies, but not so much with a cold. Common Cold is more likely to cause muscle aches and pain with low grade fever.
Another way to differentiate, is that allergic rhinitis usually has a trigger, like change of seasons or being around a new pet and usually occur at around the same time each year, like in spring or late summer, and they start quickly.
On the other hand, Viruses causes Common Cold and usually catch viruses from other people. So, you may know it’s a cold if you have been around someone who has been ill with a cold.
A cold tends to go away within a week, whereas allergies will stick around until the allergen is out of the air.
Talk to your provider before taking any medication, especially if you’re pregnant or have other health concerns.
Alternative treatments for Hay fever & Seasonal allergies:
It is always more effective to commence treatment for hay fever about 3 weeks prior to the season starting. Many people have had their lives transformed by starting treatment early and continuing treatment regularly throughout the season.
This is often difficult to commit to however and many of us only remember we need treatment after the season is well underway.
Non-medical treatments:
Stay indoors on high pollen count days
Reduce bare skin as much as possible - the allergy can be made worse by pollen on the skin – not just the nose, eyes & mouth.
Have frequent showers to wash any pollen off the skin
Vaseline on nostrils
Non-prescription medications which you should always try first
There are several effective over-the-counter medications that should be explored before considering a Kenalog injection.
Antihistamines tablets such as Loratadine, Cetirizine and Acravastine
Eye Drops such as Sodium Cromoglycate.
Nasal Sprays such as Beclometasone & Fluticasone.
Prescription Medications
There are effective prescription only medications such as:
Prednisolone oral tablets
Antihistamine nasal sprays (Rhinolast) or combination antihistamine with steroids (Dymista)
Fexofenadine antihistamine tablets
Montelukast tablets
Ranitidine tablets
In severe cases oral steroid tablets (Prednisolone) are prescribed for short periods for special events like an outdoor wedding or exams.
Prednisolone can also be very effective for severe sufferers who are organised enough to start treatment a few weeks prior to the season starting. The prednisolone is commenced at the same time as antihistamines. The prednisolone course is just for a few weeks to suppress the body’s immune system and the antihistamines continued every day throughout the season to keep the allergy under control.
Immunotherapy (Desensitisation) Treatments:
Giving injections or tablets of what you are allergic to in slowly increasing doses can reduce your immune reactions and cure your hay fever permanently. Every dose has to be monitored closely in case of anaphylactic reaction and requires dedication and commitment as you need a dose every few weeks for at least 2 years if it is going to work at all. It is highly recommended in children with severe disabling allergies. Kenalog cannot be given at the same time as desensitisation treatments as it counteracts the effectiveness of the treatment regime.
If you have any questions regarding the procedure, risks, benefits, or alternative treatment, please ask your doctor. You will be asked to sign a consent form prior to receiving the injection confirming you have read this document, are aware of the risks and are happy to proceed.
