Allergic rhinitis is a common condition that affects both children and adults. It can cause symptoms all year round, this is called perennial allergic rhinitis, or you may have symptoms occurring at certain times of the year e.g. summer time, this is referred to as hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis is caused by inflammation in the lining of the nose that is triggered by an allergen. The nose and mouth in the upper airway are the entrance to the respiratory tract, and allergens and irritants that are inhaled (breathed in) have the potential to cause allergic symptoms.

Why is it important to treat allergic rhinitis?

• Infection: Untreated allergic rhinitis can lead to infections of the nose, often affecting the sinuses and conjunctivitis in the eyes.
• Worsening asthma symptoms: If you have asthma, not treating your allergic rhinitis or hay fever symptoms adequately can lead to worsening of symptoms and increases the risk of a sudden asthma attack.
• Risk factor for developing asthma: Having poorly managed allergic rhinitis or hay fever can lead to asthma developing. It is important to make sure hay fever symptoms are treated adequately, especially in children.
• Impact on everyday life: If allergic rhinitis or hay fever is not treated, symptoms may include irritability, lack of sleep, affect your ability to concentrate at work or school and to carry out simple tasks, and even affect your mental health. Having severe seasonal allergic rhinitis can affect you being able to participate in outdoor activities and even impact on your career, especially if you work outdoors.

Tips to reduce exposure to outdoor triggers

• Wear a mask, wraparound sun glasses and or a hat with a peak or large brim to keep pollen allergens out of your eyes and face.
• On high pollen days, shower, wash your hair and change your clothes when you arrive home.
• Keep windows closed. This is most important in the early mornings, when pollen is being released, and in the evening when the air cools .
• Avoid mowing lawns or raking leaves yourself.
• Avoid drying clothes/linen outside when pollen counts are high.
• Wipe pets down with damp cloth to remove pollens.

Tips to reduce exposure to indoor triggers

• House dust mite: cover your mattress in a protective cover, wash your bedding weekly above 60 degrees (if possible), wash or freeze soft toys, damp dust and vacuum floors and soft furnishings regularly.
• Pets: keep pets out of your main living areas, especially your bedroom. Or as a last resort, you may need to consider re-homing your pet if this allergen triggers severe asthma
• Irritants: avoid fresh flowers in the house e.g. lilies, limit the use of perfumed products including detergents and air fresheners, avoid open coal and wood burning fires if this causes symptoms to worsen.

Treatment for hay fever and asthma

• Nasal barrier balm: Apply to the rim of the nostril to prevent allergens and irritants from going up the nose.
• Skin wipes: To remove pollen from skin, use with caution as they may irritate sensitive skin.
• Nasal douching: To wash out the nose, removing any allergens that may be trapped after blowing the nose.
• Saline eye drops: To wash out any allergens that may be irritating the eyes.
• Antihistamines: Can reduce the symptoms of itch, especially in the nose, throat and eyes, and reduce a runny nose. 8 It is recommended to use a long acting, non-sedating antihistamine for adults and children over the age of two years. Speak to your pharmacist or healthcare professional if you are unsure which products are suitable for you or your child’s symptoms. Antihistamine preparations are also available for the nose and eyes.
• Nasal steroids: Available on prescription from your GP and very effective for reducing the inflammation associated with the ‘stuffy nose’ feeling of hay fever and may also help to reduce allergic eye symptoms.
• Inhaled steroids: Available on prescription and are very effective for reducing the inflammation and symptoms associated with asthma. This medication needs to be taken on a long term basis, at least four to six weeks, for it to start to be effective.
• Reliever inhaler: This can be used as an immediate ‘reliever’ of breathing difficulties when asthma symptoms worsen.
• Aerochamber: This is a tube that you can put your inhaler in to make the asthma medication more effective.

If symptoms are still severe and affecting your ability to carry out daily tasks, including school/work, it is important to speak to your healthcare professional and discuss further treatment options.