| Your experience with airborne
allergy is unique to you. Nevertheless, many sufferers
share similar concerns and need answers to practical
questions about coping with allergy day by day. Here
are some commonly asked questions-click on them to see
the answers:
If allergic rhinitis means inflamed nose, why are my
eyes so badly affected?
I feel so lethargic with my airborne allergy
even though I am taking a non-drowsy antihistamine.
I suffer symptoms all year round
that are worse at home than at work. I am pretty sure
that
I am allergic to
my cat, but I don't want to lose her. What should
I do?
I am due to take
an exam and the hayfever season is just starting. I
am thinking
of taking an
antihistamine
but I can't risk being drowsy. What should I do?
I want the most effective treatment,
but I don't
like the idea of taking steroids.
Night after night my allergy
stops me getting a proper night's sleep. What
can I do?
 
If allergic rhinitis means inflamed nose, why are my eyes so badly affected?
Eye symptoms occur for two reasons. First as a result
of a direct, local allergic reaction, the early phase
allergic response, second as a part of the late phase
allergic response immune system cells release more inflammatory
chemicals causing eye symptoms. Anti-allergic eye drops
or an antihistamine will help the direct, early phase
response. Intranasal corticosteroids help prevent eye
symptoms caused by the late and early phase response.
Regular use during the hayfever season will help prevent or reduce eye symptoms.
Find out more about the two
phases of the allergic response>
I feel so lethargic
with my airborne allergy even though I am taking
a non-drowsy antihistamine.
Antihistamines are very effective in
controlling the early symptoms of airborne allergy -
sneezing, dripping
nose, itchy nose and eyes. Often a second phase of the
allergic reaction takes place. This involves chemicals
in the body that prolong symptoms and cause a stuffed
up or blocked nose. Lethargy is due to sleep disturbance which can be due to a stuffed up blocked nose. Airborne allergy sufferers
often refer to this as a stuffed up groggy feeling and
antihistamines may not help sufficiently. However, these symptoms can
be relieved by using a treatment that targets the late
phase of the allergic response - such as a nasal corticosteroid.
Find out more about antihistamines>
Find out more about anti-inflammatory nasal
sprays>
Find out more about the two phases of
the allergic response>
I suffer symptoms all year
round that are worse at home than at work. I am pretty
sure that I am allergic to my cat, but I don't want to
lose her. What should I do?
Allergy to a cat is almost always an
allergy to one particular protein in the cat's saliva.
Cats are always grooming themselves so the protein can
get everywhere. Minimise
exposure by keeping the cat out of bedrooms. If the cat
habitually sits in the same place, use a cover. Change
and wash it regularly.
After a while, an anti-inflammatory nasal spray will greatly
reduce the symptoms of the allergic reaction to your
cat and help make life more bearable. Do not use continuously
for more than three months, except on the advice of your
doctor.
Cat allergy can provoke asthma. If you find you have
breathing difficulties consult your doctor. You
may consider not keeping a cat as a pet.
Find out more about reducing
your exposure to allergy triggers>
I am due to take an exam
and the hayfever season is just starting. I am thinking
of taking an antihistamine but I can't risk being drowsy.
What should I do?
There are effective antihistamines
available that don't cause drowsiness. However, all types
of antihistamine are effective in treating the early
phase allergic symptoms of airborne allergy such as sneezing,
dripping nose, itchy nose and eyes. Anti-inflammatory
nasal sprays, used for a few days before your exam, may
reduce your susceptibility to airborne allergy symptoms. This
treatment
will also deal with other symptoms such as the blocked
up groggy feeling that many hayfever sufferers experience.
Anti-inflammatory nasal sprays won't cause drowsiness.
Find out more about anti-inflammatory
nasal sprays>
Find out more about antihistamines>
I want the most effective
treatment, but I don't like the idea of taking steroids.
The word steroid only describes the chemical structure.
It simply means similar to sterol - a natural waxy substance.
The term steroid applies to several very different classes
of medicines with very different effects.
Corticosteroids, the form in some nasal sprays, are
based on a natural substance. The body produces its own
corticosteroid which acts as a natural calmer of inflammation.
The corticosteroids used in nasal sprays are based on
this and are specially designed to be used in tiny quantities
and to work almost exclusively right where they are applied.
The record of safety
with anti-inflammatory nasal sprays, over decades of
use by doctors, has been so impressive that these medicines
are available
over-the-counter. They are not to be used for more than
3 months without medical supervision.
Find out more about anti-inflammatory
nasal sprays>
Night after night my allergy
stops me getting a proper night's sleep. What can I do?
Try to reduce your exposure to your allergy triggers.
Keep animals out of the bedroom, keep dust levels as
low as possible and use man-made fibres and pillows rather
than natural materials.
Click here for more information
on reducing your exposure to triggers>
If your nose is stuffed up or blocked, you should consider
using an anti-inflammatory nasal spray. A few days use
can relieve the late phase symptoms of the allergic reaction
that causes
nasal blockage.
Sneezing, a runny, dripping itchy nose will respond to
antihistamine treatment. Older antihistamines have a
sedating effect with some people. This can help
you sleep at the same time as relieving symptoms.
Click here for information
on antihistamines>
Back to top > |
