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This kind of
allergic reaction is also called "hay fever." The reaction
can occur over the whole year, but is more common in the spring
and fall.
Many effects
on the body can happen:
• runny
nose and congestion
• sneezing
• itchy and watery eyes
• dry throat
The reaction
can be caused by:
• pollen
• house dust
• feathers
• animal dander
• cigarette smoke
• air pollution
What you
can do:
• Use
any medication suggested by your doctor
• Do NOT use decongestant pills, nose drops or nasal sprays.
These usually do not work well, or make the condition worse
• Try to have as dust-free a home as possible
• If you react to pollen, avoid the outdoors if you can when
the pollen count is high
• Rubbing your eyes or wearing contact lenses usually causes
more irritation of the eyes
See a doctor
immediately if you get signs of infection:
• fever
• increasing headache
• face or ear pain
• thick yellow-green nasal discharge
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USEFUL
MEDICATIONS
You do not need
a prescription for most of the medicines to treat this condition.
Many over-the-counter medications are very good. These are some
suggestions:
Antihistamines
are the best choice:
| Atarax |
3
times a day |
sedating |
| Claritin |
once
a day |
not
sedating |
| Benadryl |
3-4
times a day |
sedating |
| Hismanal |
once
a day (takes a few days to work) |
not
sedating; some drug interactions problems in heart, liver and
kidney disease |
| Reactine |
once
a day |
slightly
sedating - also helps with skins rashes |
| Seldane |
twice
a day |
not
sedating
some drug interactions
problems in heart, liver and kidney disease |
Several safe
prescription nasal sprays:
topical steroids: Beconase, Flonase, Rhinalar, etc.
others: Rynacrom (sodium cromoglycate), Atrovent
Over-the-counter
eye drops:
Naphcon-A (an antihistamine)
Several prescription
eye drops:
Livostin (an antihistamine)
Opticrom (sodium cromoglycate)
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Medicines
suggested by your doctor:
The doctor may
give you a prescription. It is important to start the medication
quickly and take it as directed.
Follow up
with your family doctor:
The emergency
doctor may ask you to see your family doctor for follow-up if you
visit the OUCC. A copy of your visit chart is sent to your family
doctor unless you request that this not happen.
Help with
appointments:
The doctor may
ask you to see a specialist for follow-up. We will make an appointment
for you and contact you by telephone, usually on the next normal
working day. If you do not hear from us within 2 days, please call
us at 841-5389 in the morning.
What to do
if your illness gets worse, or your symptoms change after you go
home:
Sometimes, an
illness will worsen or the symptoms will change over time. Return
to the Orleans Urgent Care Center or to the local Emergency Department,
or call your family doctor for advice, if your illness gets worse
or your symptoms change.
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