Everything you need to know about hayfever and how to treat your symptoms

Spring means sunshine, blue skies, blossoms, and — sneezes! Not to mention itchy eyes, a runny nose, headaches, and other snuffly symptoms. 


Seasonal allergies - A.K.A allergic rhinitis or hay fever - are very common here in NZ. Around one in five Kiwis are affected, with about one-third developing symptoms as kids. It’s mostly to do with all that pollen in the air. 


Let’s dive into the causes of seasonal allergies, symptoms of hayfever, and how to choose between different hayfever treatments. 


Why is hayfever a seasonal allergy?

Hayfever season generally kicks off in July/August and lasts through much of the summer. Tree pollination begins at the top of the North Island in late winter or early spring and moves down through the country, although warmer temperatures in recent years have seen this start even earlier. Grass pollination follows later in the season.


If you often get hayfever at these times, you’ll know that flare-ups usually occur on warm, dry days when pollen count is at its highest. Some hayfever sufferers also find that some years are worse than others. 


Why do I get hayfever and other people don’t?

Hayfever is a result of your body overreacting to allergens - that is, pollen, grass, mold, and other airborne material. These allergens trigger a chain reaction in your immune system, causing your body to produce antibodies that bind to specific immune cells. When these cells detect the allergen again, they “react” by releasing histamine - the chemical that causes your blood vessels to expand. While this is actually your body’s way of protecting itself, the inflammation can cause sneezing, itchiness, and lots of mucous1. 


If you have family members with hayfever, you may be at a higher risk of developing it yourself. Being exposed to environmental factors such as air pollution and cigarette smoke can also increase your sensitivity to allergens. 


Hayfever symptoms

Although severity varies from person to person, seasonal allergies usually involve the mucous membranes lining your respiratory system. Typical symptoms include:

  • Blocked, stuffy nose
  • Runny nose with clear mucous
  • Itching in the nose (nasal pruritus) 
  • Sneezing
  • Excess mucous in the throat (postnasal drip)
  • Constant coughing or throat-clearing
  • Watery eyes
  • Watery, itchy eyes and swollen eyelids (rhinoconjunctivitis)
  • Pressure in the nose and cheeks
  • Earache, a feeling of fullness in the ears and/or ear popping
  • Dizziness 
  • Nausea
  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Headache
  • Snoring
  • Nosebleeds

How to prevent hayfever

Prevention is your best protection against seasonal allergies. Try to avoid open areas with a lot of grass and/or trees, especially on windy days. Wearing a facemask and sunglasses can help, as well as using a pollen filter in your car. Be sure to check the weather forecast for the pollen count check every day. 


How to treat hayfever

While there’s no cure for hayfever, it is treatable! Both prescription and over-the-counter treatments are available, starting with antihistamines (also known as hayfever tablets).  


Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, which can help to relieve sneezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. Antihistamine medications generally come under two categories: sedating and non-sedating.


  • Sedating antihistamines can make you feel drowsy or sleepy, so they’re designed to be taken at night if your symptoms are keeping you awake.

    Sedating antihistamines include:
    - Chlorphenamine (Mucinex)
    - Dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine)

  • Non-sedating antihistamines are less likely to cause drowsiness, so they can be taken during the day. However, it should be noted that some hayfever medications can still make you sleepy, so you should always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects.

    Non-sedating brands include:
    - Bilastine (Labixten)
    - Cetirizine (Histaclear, Zyrtec, Razene)
    - Fexofenadine (Fexaclear, Telfast)
    - Levocetirizine (Levoclear, Levrix)
    - Loratadine (Loraclear, Claratyne, Lora-tabs, Lorafix)

Antihistamine nasal sprays

Antihistamine sprays such as Livostin Nasal Spray help to treat a stuffy nose and rhinoconjunctivitis (sore red eyes). 

Another option is FESS Sensitive Noses Spray, which contains sea water to help clear away allergens such as pollen and excess mucus in the nose.


Corticosteroid nasal sprays

Steroid nasal sprays such as SteroClear work by reducing swelling and mucus in the nose. These are best taken as a short-term measure. 


Decongestants

Decongestants are a short-term treatment for nasal congestion caused by sinusitis and hayfever. Try Sudafed Nasal Decongestant Sinus Relief Spray or Vicks Sinex Nasal Decongestant Nasal Spray


Remember: chat with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication to treat allergies. Then head into Bargain Chemist to check out your options! 

 

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279488/

 

Always read the label, use only as directed. If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.