Spring is in the Air!

Yes! Very well and truly- spring is in the air!

After going through bouts of cold and flus, we now face high pollen counts and allergic rhinitis-es.
This years pollen count is exceptionally high compared to the previous years. Just read THIS!

“I read that the wildflower season in some parts is the best it’s been for about 40 years,” she said.

Oh dear!

I know it to be true because every single day I see people at their worst allergy symptoms and try to help them get some relief.

So what is all this allergy about? What is hayfever?

No, it is NOT A VIRUS/BACTERIA or FEVER. It has nothing to do with fevers or colds except perhaps similar symptoms surface at times.

Hayfever, otherwise known as allergic rhinitis (allergy symptoms involving the nasal passages or anything connected to it, ie eyes, ears) is caused by pollen or wandering plant powder/dander and affects those who are allergic to it.

Here is where hayfever commonly occurs:

Symptoms include:
Sneezing
Runny nose

Itchy eyes

Watery eyes

Itchy throat

Headache

So what can we do to cure hayfever?

NOTHING. Just like how colds and flus can NOT be cured by taking tablets, hayfever is something that can not be cured.
However, there are certain medications that can help ease the symptoms of hayfever/provide relief.

These are called antihistamines ie. anti allergy medications/tablets.

There are two types/classes of antihistamine tablets:

1. Drowsy antihistamines - Phenergan, Polaramine

2. Non-drowsy antihistmines - Claratyne, Telfast, Zyrtec, Aerius...etc

Other forms of medications that could help:

1. Nasal sprays eg. Rhinocort, Azep, Telnase...etc.

2. Other symptom relief eg: Panadol..etc

3. Eye drops eg. Livostin, Patanol...etc

Which antihistamines should I take for my condition? How would they help?

We'll go into that soon! Hang around for more!