Hayfever Brisbane Northside
Hayfever is a common problem that many people in Brisbane struggle to deal with. There are many different causes of hay fever, from pollens to pet and dust.
What is Hay Fever?
Hay fever, also known as Allergic Rhinitis, is a type of inflammation in the nose that takes place when the immune system becomes overly sensitive to allergens in the air. This is often triggered by pollen, pet hair, dust, or mold. The recurrence of hay fever can be seasonal or perennial, depending on the type of allergen an individual had contact with. Apart from the environment, genetics also plays a role in the development of this allergy.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
- Excessive nasal excretion (rhinorrhea)
- Itchy eyes
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Conjunctival swelling
- Eyelid swelling
- Lower eyelid stasis
- Swollen nasal turbinates
- Middle ear infection
How to Diagnose the Allergy?
There are two tests that can be done to test sensitivity to specific allergens — blood test and pin prick testing. Blood testing is usually done to check if antibodies to specific allergens are present in the patient. Meanwhile, pin prick test is done on the forearms by pricking specific allergen solutions on the skin.
A negative result usually, but not all the time, rules out the allergen. A positive result, on the other hand, means that the nature of the symptoms and the allergen need to aligned before saying that the symptoms are caused by that specific allergen.
What Treatments Can Be Considered?
Treating hay fever does not totally eradicate the symptoms, but more of preventing or reducing them. The most commonly prescribed treatment is intranasal corticosteroids. Apart from resolving the nasal symptoms, it also helps with the eye irritation brought about by the allergy. Mite-proof covers, air filters, and avoidance on certain food groups support the effectiveness of these nasal treatments.
Other treatments that can be prescribed for hay fever are as follows:
- Antihistamines. These are drugs that can either be taken orally or nasally to control symptoms of hay fever. Antihistamines are best taken before exposure. If nasal sprays are taken, relief should be experienced by the patient within 15 minutes.
- Steroids. These also control the symptoms of hay fever and may be effective without oral antihistamines. While it may take several days to take effect, the therapeutic effect builds up in time when continually used.
- Allergen Immunotherapy. This treatment requires administering doses of allergens in order for the body to gain immunity from the triggers and gain long-term tolerance. This treatment can be taken orally or through injections.