Hayfever Anyone ?

timmmay: We're both wrong - from here

The nasal spray will not relieve the symptoms of nasal allergies immediately, and it can take two to three days to have its full effect. It is therefore most effective to start using the nasal spray two to three days before you expect to get symptoms, for example before the start of the pollen season, or if you know you are going to be in contact with pets that give you the allergy. For maximum benefit, the spray should be used regularly to keep the nasal inflammation under control.

Usually it takes longer than 2-3 days, more like the 1-2 weeks that you mentioned earlier.

For mild symptoms (like the ones I get) I tend to prescribe a non-sedating antihistamine once or twice daily, all the ones mentioned in the thread so far are fine but one persons response to any one of them can be variable, so it can be worth trying another if the one you strike first isn't at all effective. I tend to presribe them in lots of 90+ (ie a 3 month supply) for sufferers of seasonal allergic rhinitis to try and cover them through the entire symptomatic period. That cuts expense for the patient, but also the healthcare system since it means saving on multiple pharmacy dispensing fees. I see too many GPs prescribing only 30 at a time without repeats for people whose symptoms can be readily predicted to last until at least March.

If symptoms are worse then I tend to commence an intranasal steroid like flixonse - make sure you're taking it properly though, since most people don't (and it is the doctors fault since we're poor at explaining how to use them correctly). Your nasal passages are actually horizontally oriented once you go a little way in, to properly use a nasal spray bend forward at the waist and tuck your chin into your chest, that orients the nasal passages vertically. Cover the other nostril and gentle inhale through the nostril as you spray. Most patients sit upright when they use them, a lot of dose runs straight out, anda lot of the rest of it hits the top of the nasal passage and runs in channel down the throat giving a bad taste. Used properly you'll get less of the bad taste (still some), and better effect.

If symptoms are even worse than that then I usually give 5 days of otrivine (unsubsidised, about $13 over the counter) to try and bridge the period between starting the intranasal steroids and them starting to take effect. This is often very effective at reducing symptoms and patients are tempted to continue treatment beyond the five days - DON'T! As mentioned earlier this is likely to make the problem worse than ever when you do try to stop the otrivine as you'll get a rebound phenomenon and your nasal passages will stream like they never have before.

Can always add lomide eye drops to the above for associated allergic eye symptoms. These can be purchased over the counter also, run at a cost around $20.

Steam inhalation can be helpful for some to ease the burden of nasal congestion.

For people who still have intractable symptoms then you start getting into oral steroids, nasal lavage (or rinse, one person mentioned it earlier, can be very effective but tends to be so unpleasant that only those with the worst symptoms are motivated enough to try it), pseudoephedrine, and antibiotics if sinusitis seems to overlaid.

Despite all of that there are a group of people that conventional medicine seems to be able to do very little for.

joutei

NZtechfreak