Severe Hayfever Treatments

Hayfever, or allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to indoor or outdoor allergens such as pollen, mold, dust mites or pet dander. Symptoms include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy, watery eyes, and sinus pain or pressure. Hayfever affects people of all ages, and symptoms may vary in duration and severity. While mild cases can be treated by avoiding triggers or using over-the-counter medications, severe cases may require a combination of preventive measures and prescription drugs or long-term treatment.

Prevention

• The best way to prevent your hayfever symptoms is to avoid triggers, according to MayoClinic.com. If you have severe symptoms, this may include staying inside when mold and pollen counts are highest, especially early in the morning, and avoiding activities like mowing or raking grass. In your home, limit carpeting and upholstered items, which trap allergens, use allergy covers on pillows and mattresses, wash bedding weekly in hot water, wash pets weekly to reduce dander and keep humidity levels low.

Corticosteroids

• Your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids to relieve severe hay fever symptoms. Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, work by relieving inflammation created by severe allergic reactions. Corticosteroids are only indicated for short-term treatment of hayfever symptoms because long-term use carries the risk of dangerous side effects, such as osteoporosis and muscle weakness. Nasal corticosteroid sprays are also commonly prescribed to treat hayfever symptoms.

Other Medications

• Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you doctor may prescribe other medications as well. These may include antihistamines, which block the chemical in the body that causes allergic reactions, decongestants, which relieve nasal and sinus congestion, or leukotriene modifiers, which reduce airway constriction created by allergic reactions.

Immunotherapy

• During immunotherapy, or allergy shots, your doctor injects you with small doses of allergens. The dosage gradually increases over time until you develop sensitization to certain allergens, minimizing your hayfever symptoms. Immunotherapy is generally prescribed for patients with severe or year-round symptoms, or those who cannot tolerate other hay fever treatments.