Hay fever relief: treatment options for allergic rhinitis
Itchy eyes, constant sneezing, and a runny or congested nose can make the season unbearable. Hay fever, medically known as allergic rhinitis, affects many Australians and can impact daily life.
While antihistamines may help some people, they don’t work for everyone—or only provide partial relief. Fortunately, there are various approaches to reducing the symptoms of hay fever.
What is hay fever and why does it happen?
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to pollen. During pollen season, the immune system overreacts to pollen exposure by releasing histamine. This triggers inflammation in the nasal passages and eyes, causing:
- Sneezing
- Runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
Symptoms are usually worst in Spring when plants release pollen carried by the wind.
Common treatments for hay fever
Traditional approaches to managing hay fever include:
- Antihistamine tablets
- Anti-allergy eye drops
- Nasal steroid sprays
- Nasal decongestant sprays
- Nasal saline sprays
- Allergy desensitisation injections
There are also studies looking at new intranasal spray treatments for hay fever*.
Our goal is your definition
How hay fever treatments work
Different hay fever treatments have various mechanisms. Some work to counteract the effects of histamine, others focus on reducing symptoms and controlling inflammation, and there are options to interrupt the link between histamine and the symptoms.
Key benefits of hay fever treatments
- Non-invasive and pain free
- No downtime
- Lasting relief for some methods
Next steps
The first step in managing hay fever is to catch up with your local GP, and potentially an allergy specialist for severe cases. If you have questions about managing hay fever, we may be able to assist. Contact our team for further information.
References:
*Comparing the Effects of Botulinum Toxin-A and Cetirizine on the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis
