Belfast's Local Allergy and Hay Fever Clinic
Assessment and Treatment for Allergy and Hay Fever Symptoms
Allergies and Hay Fever
Allergies are when the body reacts to something which is normally harmless. Examples include pollen (hay fever), dust, animal dander or food. The reaction can range from mild irritation to a life-threatening situation. If your reaction is severe and causes any breathing complications, you should speak to your GP urgently.
What is hay fever?
Hay fever is when the body reacts to grass, tree, or weed pollen at a particular time of the year. For most people, this occurs during the spring and summer months (seasonal rhinitis); for some, it can occur year-round (often called allergic rhinitis). Usually, the worst months are between late March and September.
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
Each person with hay fever reacts slightly differently in terms of symptom profile and severity. The most common symptoms are:
- Itchy / watering / swollen eyes
- Itchy throat
- Sneezing / blocked / runny nose
- Headaches and blocked sinuses
- Tiredness
These symptoms worsen when the pollen count is high; most people notice them when it is >50.
Self-care for hay fever
- Put vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen from getting into your eyes
- Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
- Stay indoors whenever possible
- Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
- Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
- Buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities
Treatment for hay fever
Treatments come in a variety of forms:
- Tablets and liquids
- Nasal sprays
- Eye drops
- Injection
Tablets and liquids
These are often antihistamines that relieve hay fever symptoms. They are often taken once daily and can be purchased from a pharmacy for most ages. This is often considered the first-line treatment for hay fever, as it is easy to take and works quickly. However, for many patients, it does not provide adequate symptom relief; therefore, additional second-line treatments such as nasal sprays and eye drops should be considered.
Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays come as either antihistamines or steroids. Like tablets and liquids, antihistamine nasal sprays provide immediate relief, whilst steroid nasal sprays are designed for long-term use. If tablets are not working or are contraindicated, nasal sprays are often the preferred second-line treatment, especially for patients presenting with nasal symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, or a runny nose.
Steroid nasal sprays work best when they are initiated one to two weeks prior to your symptoms starting, as they take time to work. Once working, they provide excellent treatment to reduce the overall symptom profile. They can then be supplemented with oral antihistamines if breakthrough symptoms occur.
Eye Drops
Allergy eye drops are especially useful if you are experiencing eye symptoms such as watering, redness, or swelling. They need to be used regularly and replaced after 4 weeks from the bottle's opening.
Treatment Plan
A personalised treatment plan using available tablets, sprays, and drops, initiated before your expected symptoms, will significantly impact your symptom profile.
Virtual Hay Fever Clinic
My virtual clinic will review your symptom profile and previous treatment options and make recommendations for your treatment regimen this year. The service is available year-round; however, I recommend booking your consultation 1 to 2 months before your symptoms are expected to begin.
The consultation costs £49, but an additional £25 charge may apply if a prescription is required.