Key Summary
- Experts suggest the consumption of antihistamines before the symptoms start as prevention.
- Patients can take non-drowsy medicines during the day.
- Tacking symptoms and daily habits to understand the root cause of the condition better.
While the UK is in the midst of a hay fever season, health experts have called for certain precautions to be taken to lessen its impact and for better outcomes from the medicines.
Hay fever or allergic rhinitis is health condition caused by an allergy to pollen, dust, mites, etc., with common-cold like symptoms.
Sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing, etc. are some signs of hay fever.
Hay fever is not a curable health condition, however, it can be controlled and prevented via certain measures such as less exposure to the allergens and taking medications, antihistamines the right way.
Pharmacist Seema Khatri from Roseway Labs told Mirror that antihistamines should be taken preventatively and not reactively.
If it is taken after the sneezing starts, then it is it too late.
The timing of taking the pill also matters.
For those staying outdoors, a morning dose gives the medication time to kick in before pollen peaks, usually late morning to midday.
They can go for non-drowsy options such as loratadine or cetirizine, which take 30 to 60 minutes to start working and lasts for 24 hours.
For those having night-time sneezing, itchy eyes or congestion, mainly caused by indoor allergens like dust mites or open-window pollen exposure, a bedtime antihistamine can help in preventing sleep disruptions.
For better outcomes, these medicines should be taken an hour before having food, or two hours after food, unless your medicine says otherwise.
Food can delay absorption of the medicine.
However, those facing symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, skin flares, food sensitivities, bloating, rashes or itching should seek immediate medical help.
Patients must also take medical help in case of any adverse reaction from medicines.
Experts also urge patients to observe their lifestyle and make note of their routine to understand their triggers to the allergy, for finding the root cause of the condition.
Functional tests such as gut health panels, nutrient screenings, hormonal assessments, etc. are suggested to identify histamine reaction in the body as well.
