The Pharmacy Care section is a sponsored resource, however, the sponsor has no influence over the content, which is editorially independent.
Pharmacy Care provides information about self-care, that is how to treat minor medical conditions with products available at the pharmacy. Find out how your pharmacist can help you to manage minor conditions yourself.
If you wish, myDr can notify you via email when this article is updated. Your notification settings can be changed at anytime by updating your member profile.
This feature can only be used when you register. Not a myDr member? Register now, it's free and takes only a minute!
Here you can increase the font to your preferred size. This setting will be saved temporarily, however if you are a registered member, this can be saved into your personalised profile.
Hayfever (allergic rhinitis) can be seasonal, such as during spring, or happen all year round (perennial). It is important to prevent and treat hayfever because it can affect your sleep, work or learning.
Hayfever is mostly associated with triggers or allergens, such as pollens, grasses, pet hair and dust mites. Seasonal hayfever can appear when there are higher pollen levels, such as in the morning or evening, or in hot and humid weather. Hayfever can also be occupation based, from using certain chemicals at work that trigger symptoms.
If you or family members suffer from allergies, asthma or eczema you may be more prone to hayfever. Adolescents are more likely to have hayfever but it tends to improve with age.
Symptoms can be like those of a cold and they include an itchy nose, roof of the mouth or eyes, sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, a sore or tickly throat and red, watery eyes. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure.
Symptoms can also become worse even though allergen levels are the same; this is why most people will complain of worsening symptoms throughout hayfever season.
See Your Pharmacist or Medical Professional
if you have shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, this could be asthma
if you have swollen glands, a fever and/or a persistent headache, you may have an infection
if you have yellow discharge coming from your eyes or nose, or a bloody nose
if only one side of your nose or one eye is affected
if you have persistent nasal obstruction
if your ears or sinuses (around your cheekbones) are painful
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; some hayfever medicines may not be suitable
if you have other medical conditions, such as asthma, or take other medicines
if you have allergies to any medicines
if hayfever medicines do not seem to work after five days
Treatment Tips
continuous exposure to triggers can make hayfever worse
identifying triggers and avoiding them is important in treating hayfever
try to stay indoors when pollen counts are high and avoid grassy areas; wearing wrap-around sunglasses can help keep pollen out of your eyes
keep windows closed and re-circulate air in the car
reduce exposure to dust and pet hair by removing or shampooing carpets, removing soft toys from bedrooms, washing bed linen in hot water and limiting contact with pets
have a shower after pollen exposure
start treatment early and take it regularly, especially if you know you will be exposed to triggers
if you have eye and nasal symptoms, controlling nasal symptoms often improves the eye symptoms
Treatment Options
there are two main types of medicines to treat hayfever:
medicines that treat or prevent an allergic reaction, such as corticosteroid nasal sprays and antihistamines
medicines that relieve the symptoms rather than treat the allergic reaction, such as decongestants
it is better to treat or prevent the allergic reaction, so the treatment choice depends on what your main symptoms are, when they happen and how severe they are
some medicines need to be taken before you have symptoms and need to be used regularly to be effective
there are also many tablet and syrup products available that combine an antihistamine with a decongestant, and sometimes a pain reliever as well
these options are not included here, but your pharmacist can tell you if one may be suitable
these decongestants unblock your nose and make breathing easier
nasal drops, rather than sprays, are recommended for young children
use only for up to five days, otherwise their effect is lost and a blocked nose from rebound congestion is likely
Oral antihistamines (tablets and syrups)
when you have an allergic reaction your body releases histamine, which leads to hayfever. Antihistamines block this reaction. There are two types:
newer, less sedating antihistamines, which do not typically cause drowsiness
older sedating antihistamines that cause drowsiness
antihistamines are good for treating hayfever symptoms as they occur, especially if you have a lot of different symptoms. You can also take them in advance if you know you are going to be exposed to allergens or triggers
cetirizine and loratadine are available as syrups for children; check correct doses for different age groups
newer antihistamines may rarely cause drowsiness; do not drive or operate machinery if you are affected. Cetirizine is more likely to cause drowsiness than other less sedating antihistamines
these medicines are not available without a prescription for children under two years old
these medicines can cause drowsiness, sometimes the next day; it is important you do not drive or operate machinery
do not drink alcohol with medicines that make you drowsy
sedating antihistamines are not suitable for everyone; check with your pharmacist.
if you have other medical conditions, such as glaucoma, epilepsy or prostate problems, or you take antidepressants, check with your pharmacist before taking these medicines
anti-allergy drops and sprays can relieve symptoms such as itching, sneezing and watery eyes
azelastine works quickly
some eye drops combine an antihistamine with a decongestant (e.g. naphazoline) which reduces redness; these are for short term use only (no more than five days)
you may need to remove contact lenses before using; check instructions
throw drops away one month after opening; mark the opening date on the bottle
This web site is intended for Australian residents and is not a sbstitute for independent professional advice. Information and interactions contained in ths Web site are for infomation purposes only and are not intended ot be used to diagnose,treat , cure or prevent any disease.Further , the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information available on this web site cannot be guaranteed. MIMS Australia Pty Ltd, its affiliates and their respective servants and agents do not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incured by use of or relance on the information made available via or throught myDr whether arising from negligence or otherwise.
See Privacy Policy and Disclaimer.
