How To Manage Common Allergies

How To Manage Common Allergies

how to treat common allaergies

Spring is on the horizon.

This means that it is the beginning of the hay fever season. However, this is just one of the many allergies that people can suffer. About 1 in 4 of the population in the UK will be affected by an allergy in their lives. They are particularly common in children.

An allergy is a reaction your body has to a particular food or substance. Most allergies, are mild and can be controlled but occasionally severe reactions that can be life-threatening can occur. This is called anaphylaxis and requires immediate treatment with an adrenaline auto-injector. 

Symptoms Of Common allergies

Allergic reactions usually happen within a few minutes of exposure to an allergen. They can cause:

  • Sneezing
  • A runny or blocked nose
  • Red, itchy, watery eyes
  • Wheezing and coughing
  • A red itchy rash
  • Worsening of asthma

A severe allergic reaction can cause swelling of the lips, tongue, eyes, and face. If you think you or your child may have an allergy, keep a diary to see if there is a link to something you eat, touch, or inhale that triggers your reaction. Then you should see your GP. If the reaction is particularly severe or it’s not clear what you are allergic to, they may refer you to an allergy specialist.

How To Manage Common allergies

skin allergy tests

The most effective way to manage an allergy is to avoid the allergen. Below is some practical advice to help you avoid the most common allergens:

House dust mites – this is one of the biggest causes of allergies.

You can limit the number of mites in your home by:

  • Choosing wood or vinyl floor coverings
  • Fitting roller blinds which can be easily wiped
  • Choosing leather plastic or vinyl furniture
  • Cleaning cushions, soft toys by washing at a high temperature or vacuuming
  • Using allergy-tested covers on mattresses, duvets, and pillows.
  • Using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
  • Regularly wiping surfaces with a damp clean cloth

Pets – here it’s the flakes of their dead skin (dander), saliva, and dried urine that cause the allergic reaction. If you cannot permanently remove the pet from your home, you could try:

  • Keeping pets outside as much as possible
  • Not allowing pets in bedrooms
  • Washing pets at least once a week
  • Regularly grooming pets outside
  • Regularly washing their bedding
  • Using an air filter in rooms where you spend most of your
  • Increasing ventilation with fans or air conditioning

Mould spores – you can help prevent these by:

  • Keeping your home dry and well ventilated
  • Removing indoor plants
  • Not drying clothes indoors
  • Dealing with any dampness or condensation in your home
  • Avoiding damp buildings, damp woods, and rotten leaves

Food allergies – by law, food manufacturers must clearly label any foods that contain something that is known to cause allergic reactions in some people. If you are eating out:

  • Don’t rely on the menu description.
  • Communicate clearly with the waiting staff and ask for their advice.
  • Avoid buffets and
  • Stick with simple dishes as they are less likely to have “hidden”

Pollen allergies, more commonly known as hay fever, can be helped if you:

  • Stay inside if the pollen count is
  • Avoid drying clothes outside when the pollen count is
  • Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your
  • Keep doors and windows shut where
  • Shower and change your clothes after being outside.
  • Avoid grassy areas especially in the early morning, evening, or night when the pollen count is highest. If you have a lawn try asking someone else to cut it for you.

Insect bites and stings – if you have ever suffered a bad reaction to an insect bite or sting, it’s important to minimize your risk when you are outside by:

  • Covering exposed skin
  • Wear shoes
  • Apply insect
  • Avoid wearing strong perfumes as these can attract

What allergy medications and treatments are available?

products for allergy treatment

Several treatment options are currently available for allergy treatment at the pharmacy including:

  • medication
  • allergen immunotherapy
  • nasal sprays and washes

Medications used to treat and control allergy symptoms include:

Many of these are available from our pharmacy so if you want advice on which would be best for your symptoms speak to a member of our team.

22%OFF
Clarityn Allergy Tablets, 14S3 , ,

Clarityn Allergy Tablets

Carityn tablets are an effective remedy for symptoms caused by hayfever and other allergies.    
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£4.54

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CLA783Q
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17%OFF
Murine Hayfever Relief Eye Drops, 10ml2 ,

Murine Hayfever relief eye drops is a prescription-strength solution over-the-counter hayfever eye drops, providing real relief and treatment for the eye symptoms of hayfever.

Murine Relief will help with the following eye symptoms:

  • Itching.
  • Redness.
  • Soreness.
  • Watering.

Do not use with soft contacts.

Other contacts, insert about 15 mins after applying drops.

Discard after first opening: 28 days

 

 

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£4.99

  • Availability: in stock
MUR28V
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17%OFF
Optrex Allergy Eye Drops, 10ml4 , , ,

Optrex Allergy 2% w/v Eye Drops help to soothe and prevent itchy, allergy eyes reactions, including redness, watery eyes, and itching eyes in individuals suffering from hayfever or other allergies.

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£4.99

  • Availability: in stock
2062198
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Out of stock
Zirtek Allergy Relief Cetirizine Antihistamine Tablet, 30 Tablets2 ,

Zirtek Allergy Tablets (Cetirizine Dihydrochloride), Treats Allergies Such As Hay Fever, Pet Allergies And Dust Mite Allergies (Seasonal And Perennial Allergic Rhinitis)

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ZIR8P
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Murine Dry and Tired Eye Drops For Dry Eyes, 15ml2 ,
  • LONG LASTING relief from dry and tired eyes – up to 8 hours soothing comfort
  • LIQUID GEL eye drops formulated with two lubricants to help lock in moisture
  • REFRESHES dry and tired eyes and soothes that common feeling of grittiness often associated with dry and tired eyes
  • SOOTHES the feeling of dry, tired and gritty eyes caused by increased screen time/computer use, wind, dust, cold weather etc
  • FAST ACTING and long lasting eye drops
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£3.99

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4060042
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Optrex ActiMist Double Action Dry and Irritated Eye Spray,10ml3 , ,
  • REHYDRATING AND PROTECTING DUAL ACTION RELIEF – To soothe dry and irritated eyes; Optrex Actimist double-action repairs the eye’s lipid layer and reduces moisture loss
  • INSTANT, LONG-LASTING RELIEF – Optrex eye spray for dry eyes is clinically proven to provide instant relief for up to 4 hours for dry and irritated eyes*; *dry and irritated eyes due to disturbed lipid layer of the tear film, approximately 80 Percent of dry eye cases
  • CONVENIENT FORMAT – Optrex double-action eye spray for dry and irritated eyes is easy to use and ideal for people who don’t like fiddling with eye drops or touching their eyes
  • SUITABLE FOR CONTACT LENSES – Optrex Actimist eye spray helps relieve dry eyes and is suitable for whilst wearing makeup, making it easy to spray it any time, anywhere
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£12.50

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OPT272D
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Loratadine Allergy Relief Oral Solution For Children, 100ml2 ,

    Loratadine Liquid contains an antihistamine to relieve the symptoms of hayfever, pet, dust & skin allergies (e.g sneezing, runny and itchy nose and eye irritation).

    For children age 2 years and above

    Children under 2 years: Use Piriton 

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    £14.40

    • Availability: in stock
    LOR299A
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    Loratadine Tablet – One A Day Hayfever Relief, 30 Tablets2 ,
      • Loratadine 10mg One A Day Hayfever Relief Tablet help prevent the symptoms associated with hayfever and high pollen counts as well as other allergic reactions caused by pets and dust mites
      • Loratadine tablets are used to relieve symptoms associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and perennial allergic rhinitis (year-round allergy symptoms). Symptoms of these conditions can include sneezing, runny nose, nasal itching, in addition to burning, itching and watering of the eyes.
      • Loratadine tablets are also used to relieve symptoms of chronic idiopathic urticaria (skin rash consisting of hives and wheals).

       

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      £1.99

      • Availability: in stock
      LOR240Q
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      Opticrom Hayfever Eye Drops, 10ml

      £5.15

      Opticrom Hayfever Eye Drops, 10ml1

       

      • Targeted Relief: Soothes itchy, red, watery eyes associated with hayfever
      • – Fast Relief within 2 min: Starts working within just 2 minutes so you can get back to the important things
      • – Effective Formula: Solution contains 2% sodium cromoglicate for effective relief of eye allergy symptoms
      • – Easy Application: Teardrop-shaped bottle and tapered nozzle make it easy to apply Opticrom drops
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      2164382
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