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What is Hayfever & What’s the Best Way to Treat it?
Hay fever is an irritating experience, and those who suffer from it will know how uncomfortable it can be. Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever affects 1 in 5 people and is typically caused by an increase in pollen in the air. However, it can also be brought on by dust, pets, mould, and fungi. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common symptoms of hay fever, as well as the best hay fever remedies.
What is hay fever and what are the symptoms?
Hay fever is most commonly seasonal, appearing between March and August. It can also be perennial (year-long), or occupational (work-related). Exposure to pollen, mould, dust, pet fur, or an insect bite causes a release of histamine within the body. This histamine production causes irritating symptoms, which we will explore below. Antihistamines hinder the effects of histamine, providing relief from these troublesome symptoms.
Some of the most common hay fever symptoms include:
- Runny nose and nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Itchy, watery, or red eyes
- Itchy throat, mouth, nose, and overall skin
- Coughing
- Nasal drip
- Sinus pressure and discomfort
- Drowsiness
- Sinusitis
It’s important to note that the symptoms of hay fever are often similar to the symptoms of a cold or influenza. However, a cold or flu tends to cause body aches, a high temperature and feelings of sickness and, despite the name, hay fever doesn’t cause a fever. Appropriate treatments for these conditions are also different.
How do you get rid of hay fever? - 3 Hay fever Remedies
While a cold tends to last a few days and then subside, hay fever can stick around as long as you’re exposed to the pollen, dust, or allergens, which can be up to a few weeks. For this reason, you may want to take a daily antihistamine drug that can help you control allergic reactions. Here are three antihistamines that offer cheap hay fever treatment to ease your uncomfortable symptoms
Cetirizine
Cetirizine Hydrochloride is an antihistamine that can be used to treat allergic conditions such as hay fever. It can also help reduce the discomfort caused by year-round allergies to dust and pets (swelling, redness, and irritation). Cetirizine is officially classed as a non-drowsy hay fever medicine, but some people still experience sleepiness when they take it. This medication can be taken daily and is inexpensive; you can find it here:
Loratadine
Loratadine is similar to Cetirizine, in that it’s another type of antihistamine. It is also used to treat eczema, conjunctivitis, and hives alongside hay fever. Some people also use it to treat certain food allergies, insect bites, and stings.
Loratadine is a non-drowsy antihistamine; it is less likely to make you sleepy than other antihistamines. It’s available on prescription, but you can also buy it over the counter as tablets or a liquid. Again, this medication is inexpensive; you can buy it below:
Chlorphenamine Maleate
Chlorphenamine Maleate is an antihistamine that can cause drowsiness; it is more likely to make you feel sleepy than the first two antihistamines we’ve looked at. It's used to treat hay fever, conjunctivitis, hives brought on by food allergies and chickenpox, eczema, insect bites, and stings. This is another cheap hay fever treatment and you can find this antihistamine here:
If you experience hay fever, you’ll know how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be! If you’re new to antihistamines, you may need to try a couple before you find one that works well for you; so if you don’t find relief with Cetirizine, try Loratadine. Fortunately, cheap hay fever treatment is available online from pharmacies such as ours. If you’re uncertain or struggling to find relief with these over-the-counter antihistamines, speak to your pharmacist or doctor about alternative solutions.
Why wait to protect yourself? Shop online to beat hay fever today!
This blog post was written on behalf of Chemist.net by Pharmacy Mentor.