Montelukast (Singulair) is a leukotriene inhibitor approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treatment of hay fever. It is available with a prescription and comes in tablet, chewable tablet, or granule forms. The granules may be sprinkled directly on the tongue or mixed with cold or room temperature soft food like applesauce or pudding.
Leukotrienes are powerful chemical substances that promote the inflammatory response seen during exposure to allergens. By keeping these chemicals from producing swelling, leukotriene inhibitors reduce inflammation. Leukotriene inhibitors are particularly effective when used with an antihistamine.
Available in aerosol (Nasalcrom) and in eyedrops (Crolom), cromolyn sodium makes your mucous membranes less sensitive to allergens. It gives better relief if you take it as a preventive measure, even when you do not have symptoms. Decongestants are available in oral versions (such as pseudoephedrine [Sudafed]), eyedrops, or sprays (such as phenylephrine [Sinex])
Eyedrops are effective for relieving annoying eye itch. Nasal sprays are very useful, especially in relieving nasal congestion. However, they can cause a rebound effect and inflammation called rhinitis medicamentosa if overused. Oral decongestants can cause high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and nervousness. Use all decongestants according to package instructions usually no more than 3 days.
Be sure to tell your health care provider if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or become pregnant while taking these medications. Nonprescription antihistamines (diphenhydramine [Benadryl], clemastine [Tavist], tripelennamine [PBZ], hydroxyzine [Atarax]) are the most commonly used drugs. Loratadine (Claritin), a long-acting, nonsedating antihistamine is also now available without a prescription.
These antihistamines are inexpensive and readily available. The effects do not last long. They may make you too drowsy to drive a car or operate machinery safely. You may start using them at bedtime. Drowsiness often lessens with continued, regular dosage.
Many hay fever sufferers choose to take longer acting prescription antihistamines, such as fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin), and desloratadine (Clarinex). These drugs are more expensive, but they have to be taken only once or twice a day. The biggest advantage of these drugs is that they cause only mild sleepiness, if any at all.
These sprays work very well in most people with few of the side effects of corticosteroids taken by mouth or by injection. They reduce congestion (stuffiness) and swelling. Examples are beclomethasone (Beconase), triamcinolone (Nasacort), and fluticasone (Flonase).
These are not the steroids taken by some people to increase athletic performance. Sprays take a few days to work, but when they reach an effective level, they do a very good job of decreasing symptoms without causing drowsiness. They must be used daily if they are to work properly.
The best treatment overall is to avoid contact with your allergen. Since this is rarely possible, you may want to take medication to reduce the symptoms. The treatment of hay fever depends on the severity, symptoms, and consequences of the disease.
Hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis is an allergy that attacks vulnerable people during the summer and the onset of the spring seasons.
Allergies as such is caused by inhaling pollen or by entry of pollen to an eye. This will then irritate the eye's and nose's sensitive linings. Consequently, inflammation or swelling follows such occurrence.
Causes of hay fever
Pollens usually come from trees like oak and silver birch. Pollen from those specified trees are the most common cause of reported or recorded cases of hay fever and other related allergies that occur during the onset of spring.
Grasses that pollinate during the summer until about the onset of spring, like nettles, weeds, mugwort and dock are also attributed to several cases of hay fever.
Allergies to several kinds of fruits, nuts and some vegetables can also cause swollen and itchy mouth and throat that may eventually lead to symptoms for hay fever.
Studies and medical experts have identified several fruits, nuts and vegetables which may cause such conditions. These include peanuts, tomatoes, cherries, peaches, apples and carrots.
Though, cases of hay fevers that are pinpointed to such factors aare rather rare and limited in number and severity.
Symptoms of hay fever
A person who is affected by an allergy called hay fever will experience manifestations like frequent and unusual sneezing, watery or teary eyes and runny nose.
Other symptoms are more prevalent and indicate severity of the hay fever attack. Some of these serious forms of symptoms include itchy eyes, ears and mouth. The itchiness would surely be discomforting and will cause uneasiness making the hay fever victim feel greater tension.
People under a hay fever attack will also feel extraordinarily unwell. That general feeling of unwellness is also coupled with unusual reduction or lack of concentration. Focus will be a hard word and concept for hay fever victims.
The onset of hay fever may start to develop and reach its full scale when the person reaches or enters his or her teenage years. Hay fever allergy and attacks are also more likely to affect people aged between 20 years to 30 years.
Treatment for people with hay fever
There are a number of potent and effective treatments and medications that will sufficiently curtail or control hay fever.
Such medications include especially prescribed medical tablets and nasal sprays. Drugs in tablet forms for hay fever will usually aim to relieve or soothe itchiness occurring in the nose and throat, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing.
Antihistamines are the most common medication for allergies. Since hay fever is a form of allergy, antihistamine will be a perfect drug against it.
Eye drops are also available over-the-counter to relieve eye discomfort while anti-inflammatory sprays will surely reduce swelling and inflammation of the infected eye or nose lining.
Preventing hay fever
The most effective measure to avoid the onset of hay fever is by avoiding contact or exposure to the irritants or allergens that cause it.
People with hay fever history should try to stay indoors and install air conditioners in their homes and rooms especially during summer and spring, when pollen are spread all throughout the outdoor air.
Both Alisha Dhamani & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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