Suffer No More! We can Help YOU!

Come into Pharmacy for Life and talk to one of our friendly pharmacists about how we can help you with your allergies and  help create an individualized Allergic Rhinitis Plan with you.

Allergic Rhinitis (commonly known as hay fever) affects around 20% of people (children and adults) in Australia.  Despite its common name, allergic rhinitis is not caused by hay and does not result in fever. It is caused by the nose and/or eyes coming into contact with environmental allergens, such as pollens, dust mite, moulds and animal hair.

People who are sensitive to these allergens may then experience one of more of the following symptoms:

Immediate signs or symptoms:

*  Runny nose

*  Rubbing of the nose

*  Itchy nose

*  Sneezing

*  Itchy, watery eyes

*  Congested nose

*  Snoring

Whilst some of these symptoms may be similar to those caused by infection (such as colds and flu), allergy symptoms tend to persist unless treated appropriately.  Symptoms range from mild to moderate (does not affect day to day function) to severe (affects day to day function).  Symptoms may occur in a particular season (usually due to allergies to grass, weed or tree pollens) or are persistent and present all year round (usually caused by allergies to house dust mites, moulds or animal hairs).  It is important to note that allergic rhinitis is not cause by a food allergy.

Complications of allergic Rhinitis may include:

*  Daytime sleepiness

*  Sleep disturbance

*  Headaches

*  Poor concentration

*  Recurrent ear infections in children

*  Asthma which is more difficult to control - Some people with allergic rhinitis also have asthma.  Better control of their allergic rhinitis has been shown to result in better control of their asthma.  Emerging evidence shows that untreated allergic rhinitis can increase the risk of asthma.

Treatment Options

Seek advice from your pharmacist or GP about medications or treatments that will relieve your symptoms.  Although medications do not cure allergies, they are much more effective with fewer side effects than medications available 20 years ago.  You just need to know the best way to use them, and to avoid medicines that can cause more problems than they solve, like frequent decongestant (unblocking) nose sprays or tablets.

Prevention

Prevent your symptoms from even occurring!  Corticosteroid nasal sprays are the first choice treatment for moderate to severe hay fever sufferers.  Corticosteroids have a potent action on inflammation, and with regular use, prevent symptoms of rhinitis by reducing swelling and mucous production in the nose.  Corticosteroids are more effective than oral antihistamine medications in controlling symptoms of rhinitis.  They do not however provide immediate relief from symptoms; maximum benefit comes with regular use.  It can take up to 2 weeks for individuals to gaint the full therapeutic benefit of treatment.  Corticosteroids are safe to use long term.

The regular use of a non-medicated saline nasal irrigation is very beneficial for relieving nasal congestion associated with rhinitis.  Saline rinses help to flush away problem allergens and irritants from within the nose, and keep the nose clear by loosening and thinning mucous.  They are gentle, soothe and moisturise inflammed nasal membranes.  The use of a saline solution to clear a congested nose prior to using medicated nasal sprays, is sometimes recommended to enhance the absorption and effectiveness of medicated sprays.  

Come into Pharmacy For Life to let us help solve your allergy issues.

Do you suffer from Hayfever?

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