Hay Fever Relief | Allergy Relief | Tablets and Spray

Hay Fever & Allergy Relief

Allergies and Hay Fever are not just limited to the summer. If you are a sufferer due to pollen, mould spores or other allergens make sure your medicine cabinet is stocked with all the essentials to keep your symptoms under control. Classic symptoms of hay fever include sneezing and coughing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, tiredness, and sometimes a headache. Travelpharm stock a great selection of great value capsules, eye drops, tablets, and allergy sprays to control even the most stubborn hay fever. For more ideas about hay fever treatments and tackling the issue you might want to read this article, What do I do against hay fever?

What is Hay Fever?

A runny nose, itchy eyes, a headache, and feeling tired. Spring and summer don’t just bring better weather, they also kickstart the hay fever season, causing such symptoms. The season can start as early as February and last well into October! That's not good news for those who are sufferers.

Hay fever is another name for a pollen allergy. Throughout most of the year, even in autumn, all flowers, grasses, and trees release pollen. If you are allergic to pollen it means that the mucous membranes in the nose, eyes, and throat recognise the pollen as hostile invaders. Your body’s defence mechanism will kick in, making your nose run, your sinuses block up, and your eyes water. Very unpleasant.

As the hay fever season lasts for several months it can mean the membranes can get quite irritated, causing red eyes, a sore throat, and even itchy ears.

What can I do to prevent or treat Hay fever?

Luckily there are several remedies to help against hay fever or to offer relief from its symptoms. Most commonly known are antihistamines. These should be taken every day during the season, even when you are not experiencing any symptoms. The most common antihistamines contain loratadine and cetirizine. These are part of the ‘new’ generation of antihistamines, that are non-drowsy. Although in some people you may experience a little drowsiness.

To help against itchy eyes and a blocked nose there are several allergy nasal sprays (steroid and non-steroid based) as well as allergy eye drops available. They mainly work to lessen the symptoms, and some nasal sprays and eye drops will even help prevent further irritation. They help reduce the swelling of the mucous membranes, which causes congestion in your nose, and some will alleviate symptoms by flushing out irritants for example Sterimar.

At home, it is key to leave pollen where it is meant to be: outside. Take a shower and wash your clothes when you have been outside. Don’t sleep with the window open, and when you do air your bedroom, keep your pillows in a different room. This prevents pollen from settling on your pillow, where they can easily be inhaled once you go to sleep.

Dealing with Hay fever on your holiday:

As previously mentioned, hay fever happens because the body recognises certain types of pollen, and acts accordingly. If you are going abroad, it is very probable that you will be in an environment with plants, trees, or flowers that you don’t commonly see at home.

This may mean that your body will not recognise the different pollen these plants release, reducing your symptoms whilst on holiday. Conversely, it could also cause a flare-up of your hay fever. Sometimes even people who have never experienced any allergies can react to pollen abroad.

Avoid any discomfort while travelling by making sure you have packed some allergy tablets and possibly a nasal spray or eye drops. This is especially important in countries where you don’t speak the language or where they use a different alphabet, as it might be difficult to get certain medicines.

Though uncomfortable, hay fever is not dangerous, and you don’t need to worry too much if you experience these symptoms. You can take precautions at home and on the go, so there is no need to let hay fever prevent you from travelling the world!

When is the hay fever season?

There are many different types of pollen, therefore depending on what type of pollen you are allergic to will depend on what time of year your symptoms will occur. Different trees and plants produce pollen at different times of the year, in the UK the pollen count season is separated into 3 seasons:

Tree Pollen – late March - mid-May
Grass Pollen – mid-May - July
Weed Pollen – June – September

What if over-the-counter medicines don't work?

If you are still struggling to get control of your hay fever or allergies, after exhausting taking the usual hay fever and allergy treatments, Travelpharm can help.

We sell a range of prescription-strength medicines but don't worry, you won't need a prescription to buy them! Simply take one of our Online Consultations and start your journey to a more comfortable life!