Read up on Hay fever treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Hay fever

Key points about treatments

There are several good treatments for hay fever. Different treatments help with different symptoms and you may need more than one treatment.

Many people are able to treat their own hay fever with treatments that are available over the counter.

Key points about treating hay fever

If you have hay fever, you're

allergy
If you have an allergy to something, your body overreacts when you're around it. The thing you are allergic to is called an allergen. Most allergens are harmless to most people. But if you're allergic to something, your body's system for fighting infection (your immune system) is too sensitive to that allergen. It triggers changes that we call allergic reactions. For example, pollen is an allergen for many people. If you're allergic to pollen, you'll sneeze and have runny eyes when pollen is in the air.

allergic to pollen (or sometimes,

molds
Molds are a type of fungus that can cause health problems. For example, you can get infections caused by molds, or you can have an allergy to molds. If you're allergic to them, you have a reaction when you breathe in tiny seeds they give off (called mold spores).

mold). So, it's worth avoiding pollen or mold as much as you can, although sometimes it's not possible.

Source:
Klein GL.
Treatment of hay fever: allergen avoidance and medication to control symptoms.
Postgraduate Medicine. 1989; 85: 193-200.

¹ But with the right treatment, you shouldn't have to stop doing the things you want to do.

Source:
Durham SR (editor).
Summer hay fever.
ABC of allergies. BMJ Books, London, UK; 1998.

²
If your hay fever is mild, antihistamine pills may be all you need to feel better. They can help symptoms such as sneezing, a runny and itchy nose, or itchy, red eyes.
You can also get antihistamine sprays that you breathe in through your nose.
A steroid nasal spray is worth trying for a runny or stuffy nose, especially when antihistamines don't get rid of your symptoms. Ideally, you should start this treatment before there's too much pollen (or mold) around.
Another treatment that can help with a stuffy nose is antihistamine pills taken together with a

Decongestant
A decongestant is a medicine that clears up swelling (congestion) in your nose or in your chest. It can unblock your stuffy nose and make it easier to breathe.

decongestant called pseudoephedrine.
For itchy eyes, you can get cromolyn sodium eye drops (brand name Crolom). We haven't covered these in detail here, but we will be looking at the evidence for them in the future. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor about them.
If your hay fever is very bad, your doctor may recommend steroid pills. But these can have serious side effects. They're only recommended as a last resort, and you should only take them for a short time.

Sources for the information on this page:

Klein GL.Treatment of hay fever: allergen avoidance and medication to control symptoms.Postgraduate Medicine. 1989; 85: 193-200.

Durham SR (editor).Summer hay fever.ABC of allergies. BMJ Books, London, UK; 1998.

This information was last updated on May 01, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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