It’s spring and it’s ‘Bad News’ for the 30% of French suffering from hay fever. Antihistamines and corticosteroids have been proven. But the treatment to be effective must be well monitored.
The arrival of spring also announced that hayfever. It is quite possible to heal itself, provided that the symptoms are less troublesome.
ANTIHISTAMINES TO TAKE A WEEK BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF POLLEN
“The OTC antihistamines can be safely used even for several months. However, caution should be exercised with vasoconstrictors (decongestants containing pseudoephedrine) which, if taken for more than ten days, can have side effects, “says Dr. Alain Didier, pneumo-allergist at the University Hospital of Toulouse.
Antihistamines, last generation, based cetirizine, are less sedating than the older drugs. We can complete the treatment with antihistamine nasal steroid, which has an anti-inflammatory action.
Whenever possible, you should limit contact with allergens (dust mites, pollen, animal hair …) and try to prevent crises. Against allergic rhinitis, we can start treatment one week before the arrival of pollen and continue until the end of the season.
Important: antihistamines should not be administered to self-medicate a child under the age of 12; vasoconstrictor decongestant to a child less than 15 years, with some cons-indicated in children under 12 years of age. They are also not recommended for pregnant and lactating women. Medical advice is imperative.
WHAT DMARD AGAINST HAY FEVER?
What if self-medication is not enough? Must see “when the symptoms of allergic rhinitis last several weeks or months and they have an impact on sleep, social and professional life,” says Dr. Alain Didier, pneumo-allergist at the University Hospital of Toulouse.
A general practitioner may prescribe a topical treatment based base of topical corticosteroids, in addition to an antihistamine. To be effective, treatment must be taken regularly and correctly …. There is no point to inhale the product if it was completely clogged nostrils! “We must begin by washing the nose and nose. Otherwise, he has no chance to penetrate, “says Prof. Didier.
WHO IS AFFECTED BY DESENSITIZATION?
Desensitization can be offered to very bothered by their symptoms patients whose allergen (provided that there is only one or two maximum) has been clearly identified by skin testing. This treatment is prescribed only by an allergist.
This immunotherapy is effective against mites, grass pollen, birch, cypress and ambrosia. According to Professor Didier “It is particularly advantageous in children, in terms of prevention. It can be proposed at the age of five years. ”
OUR SOLUTIONS WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION AGAINST HAY FEVER
A selection of products to calm the sneezing and itching caused by allergic rhinitis:
– Anti-allergic: Zyrtecset (cetirizine 10 mg, Pierre Fabre), 5.40 euros box 7 tablets in pharmacy; an effective antihistamine against the flow, sneezing and itching. Seven days of treatment. Reserved for over 12 years.
– Anti-inflammatory: Humex Hay fever (beclomethasonedipropionate, Urgo), 6.35 euros a bottle, pharmacy. Use steroid spray four times a day in each nostril, not more than six weeks. It calms the nasal mucosa. Reserved for more than 15 years.
– Prevention: Alergo (Visiomed), 60 to 65 euros, pharmacy. A phototherapy apparatus for preparing the nasal mucosa. To implement three minutes a day, a week before the arrival of pollen and throughout the season. : A flat solid studies are lacking to confirm its effectiveness.
– A herbal box of 30 capsules Aromadoses Comfort spring with essential oils (PhytosunArôms) 12.30 euros, pharmacy. A dietary supplement to take morning, afternoon and evening for 10 days. Cons-indicated in pregnant and lactating women and children under 12 years of age.
