For many, spring is a time of joy and rejuvenation. For a significant portion of the population, however, it's a time of misery, itchiness, and discomfort. This spring, learn how to be proactive about your hay fever and ease your springtime suffering. Dr. Lucy Gao, Section Chief of Beijing United Family Hospital's (BJU's) Department of Family Medicine, explains.
What substances are there in the Beijing air that can cause hay fever?
Hay fever is an allergic inflammation of the nasal airways caused by grass pollens. Hay fever can also be called seasonal allergies. Symptoms occur only at certain times of the year. Most seasonal allergies are caused by:
●Pollens from trees, grasses, or weeds (figure 1); or
●Mold spores, which grow when the weather is humid, wet, or damp.
In Beijing, many people get hay fever in the springtime, when pollens from many trees and grasses spread in the air. In autumn, there are other different trees and grasses that produce different pollens, which can also bring an onset of hay fever.
Figure 1:
Image courtesy of UpToDate
How does hay fever differ from other respiratory illnesses?
Symptoms of hay fever can include:
●Stuffy nose, runny nose, or sneezing a lot;
●Itchy or red eyes; and
●Sore throat or itching of the throat or ears.
Some of these symptoms, such as stuffy nose, runny nose, or sneezing, are very similar to those of the common cold. But itchy or red eyes and itching of the throat or ears are typical symptoms for hay fever. Patients with hay fever usually do not cough, unless they develop hyperactivity of the bronchi or asthma due to allergy.
Are there any pre-emptive measures I can take before hay fever season arrives?
Yes. Some people can prevent symptoms by starting their medicine a week or two before hay fever season arrives.
Is there anything hay fever sufferers can do on a day-to-day basis to relieve symptoms?
You can help prevent symptoms by avoiding the things you are allergic to. For example, people who are allergic to pollen can:
●Stay inside during the times of the year when they have symptoms;
●Keep their car and house windows closed and use air conditioning instead;
●Take a shower before bed to rinse pollen off their hair and skin;
●Wear a dust mask if they need to be outside; and
●Use a vacuum with a special HEPA filter to keep indoor air as clean as possible.
What are some over-the-counter (OTC) medications I can use for my hay fever?
People with hay fever might use one or more of the following OTC medications to help reduce their symptoms:
●Nose rinses – Rinsing out the nose with salt water cleans the inside of the nose and gets rid of pollen in the nose. This can also help to clear things out if the nose is very stuffed up. Different devices can be used to rinse the nose.
●Steroid nose sprays – Steroid nose sprays are the single best treatment for nose symptoms. If you decide to try this medicine, you might need to take a nasal decongestant for a few days first. This will reduce swelling in the nose and make it easier for the steroid to get deep into your nose. Steroid nose sprays work best if you use them every day. They are more effective than other allergy medicines for congestion and post-nasal drip. The available brands of steroid nose sprays in Beijing include NASONEX and FLIXONASE.
●Antihistamines – These medicines help stop itching, sneezing, and runny nose symptoms. Some antihistamines can make people feel tired. The available brands of antihistamines in Beijing include CLARITYNE and XYZAL.
●Decongestants – These medicines can reduce stuffy nose symptoms. People with certain health problems, such as high blood pressure, should not take decongestants. Also, people should not use decongestant nose sprays for more than three days in a row. Using these nose sprays for more than three days in a row can make symptoms worse. The typical brand of decongestant nose spray in Beijing is DAPHNLIN. There is an oral combination medication of antihistamine and decongestant, with the name of CLARINASE that can help reduce all symptoms.
Talk with your doctor about the benefits and downsides of the different treatments if possible. The right treatment for you will depend a lot on your symptoms and other health problems. It is also important to talk with your doctor about when and how to use your medicines.
When should I see a doctor?
If you are not feeling better after trying all the above OTC medications, you may want to talk with your doctor for more advice on proper treatment. If you develop symptoms of asthma, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, and a severe cough, I highly recommend that you see a doctor as soon as possible.
Do you have any advice for children prone to hay fever?
Young children often do not blow their nose but instead sniff, cough, or clear their throat a lot. If a child's throat is itchy, they might make clicking noises as they try to scratch their throat with their tongue. They might also get into the habit of breathing through their mouth because their nose is stuffy.
Because children do not always understand what allergies are or how they affect people, they sometimes put up with severe symptoms. This can really affect their lives. Children with allergies can have trouble concentrating or doing school work. They can even have trouble with sports. Your child might not be able to tell you what is wrong, but you can look for symptoms that show up at the same time each year or last a long time. You might also be able to tell that a child has allergies by the way he or she looks (figure 2).
Seasonal allergy symptoms usually don't show up in children until after the age of 2. If your child is younger than 2 and has these symptoms, talk to his or her doctor about what might be causing them.
If you want to try over-the-counter medications for your child, be sure to read the directions carefully. Some medications are not safe for young children.
Figure2:
Image courtesy of UpToDate
Dr. Lucy Gao is BJU's Section Chief of the Department of Family Medicine. She is also an Internal Medicine Physician and Nephrologist. Dr. Gao speaks Mandarin and English. To make an appointment with her, please call the BJU Service Center at 4008-919191.