Hay fever Flashcards
1
Q
What is hay fever (6)
A
- Hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis
- caused by an allergy to pollen.
- Grass, flowers and trees produce pollen during the spring and summer and this is when most people suffer from hay fever.
- However, different plant types produce their pollen at different times throughout the year.
- Some people may be allergic to several types of pollen and have hay fever symptoms at different times of the year.
- Others may only be allergic to one pollen type and so will only experience symptoms during the months when that type of pollen is being produced.
2
Q
What are the symptoms of hay fever (7)
A
- Watery eyes
- Blocked nose
- Itchy, sore eyes
- Itchy nose
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy throat
3
Q
When should hay fever be referred to the pharmacist (4)
A
- wheezing and shortness of breath
- Show signs of an infection, for example, sticky eyes or green or yellow mucus from the nose
- Have asthma
- Suffer all year round, for example allergic rhinitis
4
Q
How can patients with hay fever reduce their symptoms (5)
A
- Wearing sunglasses to reduce the amount of pollen reaching the eyes when outdoors
- Trying to avoid being outside early in the morning and in the evening when the pollen count is high
- Keeping car windows and vents shut when driving and keeping windows and doors shut in the house
- Avoiding mowing the lawn themselves and walking through tall grass
- Checking daily pollen counts on the internet, TV or radio
5
Q
What are the hay fever treatments (3)
A
- Decongestants
- Antihistamines - topical and oral
- Symptom preventers
6
Q
What hay fever treatment causes drowsiness
A
Chlorphenamine
7
Q
What hay fever treatment rarely causes drowsiness (4)
A
- Acrivastine
- Loratadine
- Cetirizine
- fexofenadine
8
Q
What are decongestants (5)
A
- by mouth or used topically in the form of a nasal spray.
- Oral decongestants may be included in combination with antihistamines in some hay fever treatments.
- Decongestants are also available in nasal sprays and drops to help with blocked noses.
- More than seven days at a time can cause rebound congestion.
- sprays and drops, containing oxymetazoline, xylometazoline and phenylephrine, may not be suitable for treating the symptoms of hay fever because they have a short effective time span, and most hay fever sufferers need long term treatment.
9
Q
What are oral antihistamines (4)
A
- Oral antihistamines hay fever symptoms by blocking the action of histamine that has been released by the body.
- They are particularly effective for sneezing and runny noses, but less so when the nose is blocked.
- Antihistamines can either be used as ‘when required’ treatment such as at the first sign of symptoms or as a preventative treatment or taken in the morning in anticipation of a high pollen count for that day.
- Some are combined with a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine to clear a blocked nose for example acrivastine and pseudoephedrine capsules.
10
Q
What are topical antihistamines (2)
A
- Antazoline is available as OTC eye drops and is particularly useful for itchy, red and watery eyes.
- If people have other eye problems and/or wear contact lenses you need to refer them to the pharmacist.
11
Q
What are Symptom preventers (8)
A
- Sodium cromoglicate
- fluticasone
- beclometasone
- can be used on a regular basis, during the peak pollen season, to prevent hay fever symptoms occurring.
- Sodium cromoglicate prevents the release of histamine and other chemicals within the body in response to pollen.
- In order to prevent the symptoms of hay fever effectively, it needs to be used every day, regardless of whether symptoms are present or not.
- It is available as both a nasal spray and eye drops.
- Customers with eye problems, or anyone who wears contact lens should be referred to the pharmacist if they request eye drops.
