Having a bad reaction?

Updated

This time of year can be hellish for hayfever sufferers - the constant itchy eyes and runny nose can be unbearable. Pollen is in abundance in the summer and this is what irritates sufferers' respiratory systems. For those unlucky people who suffer from allergies all year round, there's no escaping the itchy, runny, bunged-up feeling. Unfortunately there is no cure for allergies such as hayfever, but there are treatments to soothe the symptoms. Check out our top searches for allergies.

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Antihistamines come in the form of pills, drops and nasal sprays. These prevent your immune system creating histamine which is what causes the allergy symptoms. Medicines such as Benadryl and Claritin are good for soothing your eyes and nose. You can also buy decongestants such as Sudafed which will reduce the swelling of the tissues inside your nose so you feel less bunged up. Some medicines combine both antihistamines and decongestants such as Benadryl Plus or Beconase Hayfever nasal spray.

If your symptoms are really severe, you can use a steroid nasal spray such as Flixonase. This medicine works by stopping the allergic reaction entirely. It takes a few days to kick in so you should start taking it before you think you'll be exposed to the allergen. Be warned: this type of medicine is very strong and often causes nosebleeds.

If you think you have an allergy, talk to your GP and they can perform skin prick tests, patch test, blood tests and other ways to find out what your are allergic to, or they can refer you to an allergy clinic. Once you identify the allergen, you can find ways to treat your symptoms through reducing exposure to allergens, taking antihistamines or homeopathic treatments.

Do you suffer from an allergy? How do you deal with it? Leave a comment and share your experiences.

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