Blow away your hay fever blues with these doctors' tips

In Beijing, we generally see an increase in hay fever-type of allergies while there is pollen in the air. We asked two doctors to give us the rundown and tips on dealing with it. 

What causes hay fever in Beijing?

Dr Chen Cui (Cui): Hay fever is also called seasonal allergies. It has many causes including the pollen of trees, grass or weeds. Specific to Beijing is artemisia, humulus and indoor allergens like dust mites. Hay fever does not only occur during spring but also during summer and autumn, as artemisia and humulus that grow in the north of Changjiang and blooms between July and September.

Dr Lucy Gao (GAO): Hay fever is an allergic inflammation of the nasal airways caused by grass pollens. Besides pollen, it is also caused by mould spores, which grow when the weather is humid, wet, or damp.

How does it differ from other respiratory illnesses?

Cui: Symptoms of seasonal allergies can include: stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, itchy or red eyes and sore or itchy throat. Sufferers also find it hard to sleep well and will feel tired and anxious. These symptoms may last for more than two weeks, or even longer. Acute viral respiratory infection, on the other hand, includes fever and might run its course within a week.

Gao: Its symptoms are very similar to the common cold but special, and typical, symptoms of hay fever are itchy or red eyes, itching of the throat or ears. Sufferers usually do not cough, unless combined with hyperactivity of bronchi or asthma due to allergy.

Is there any pre-emptive treatment?

Cui: Yes. If kids have symptoms at the same time every year, and you are familiar with what’s coming next, some kids can benefit from the early use of Montelukast.

Gao: These can be started a week or two before hay fever season arrives.

Photo: Luisella Planeta Leoni/Pixabay.com

Are there things one can do to avoid becoming afflicted with hay fever?

Cui: You can try to keep your child inside during the times of the year when he or she has symptoms. Also, keep car and house windows closed during nasty days and hope for rain!

Gao: Prevent symptoms by avoiding the things you are allergic to. For example, people who are allergic to pollen can use air conditioning instead of opening windows; take a shower before bed to rinse pollen off hair and skin and wear a dust mask if they need to be outside. Also, use a vacuum with a special HEPA filter to keep indoor air as clean as possible.

What are some over the counter (OTC) medication that one can use?

Cui: 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 stuffed up. Antihistamines (Cetirizine drop) help stop itching, sneezing, and runny nose symptoms with minimal side effects.

Gao: You can also try steroid nose sprays which are the single best treatment for nose symptoms. However, you might need to take a nasal decongestant for a few days first to reduce swelling in the nose and make it easier for the steroids 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. Decongestants can also reduce stuffy nose symptoms. People with certain health problems, such as high blood pressure, should not take decongestants. Patients should not use them more than three days in a row as it makes symptoms worse. There is an oral combination medication of antihistamine and decongestant – Clarinase – that can help reduce all symptoms. Talk to 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.

Photo: Steve Buissinne/Pixabay.com 

When should one see a doctor?

Cui: When symptoms become unbearable and last for a long time.

Gao: 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 the proper treatment. If you develop the symptoms of asthma such as breathing difficulties, wheezing and severe cough, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. 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, he or she 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 life. 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. Seasonal allergy symptoms usually don’t show up in children until after age two years. If your child is younger than two years and has these symptoms, talk to his or her doctor about what might be causing them. If you want to try OTC medications for your child, be sure to read the directions carefully. Some medications are not safe for young children.

Click Read More for more health tips from doctors

MORE FROM TIME OUT FAMILY

For advertising enquiries: Amelie 150 0123 6445