hay fever: importance of starting preventative treatment
A recent study from Japan has highlighted the importance of starting preventative treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and allergic conjunctivitis well before the pollen season starts. The elegant study evaluated the effectiveness off pre-seasonal topical olopatadine (anti-histamine eye drops) in reducing the clinical features of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC). Adult patients with previously diagnosed SAC received pre-seasonal treatment in one eye only for at least two months before the onset of their symptoms, at which point they used the treatment in both eyes. Symptoms in the eyes that received pre-seasonal treatment were much less than in the eyes not so treated, and this discrepancy continued for four weeks after both eyes were treated. The implication is therefore to start hay fever and SAC therapy well in advance of symptoms, and I would suggest starting whatever therapies worked in previous years for your hay fever or SAC at least two months before the time your symptoms usually begin, and continuing your treatments every day until 2-4 weeks after your symptoms usually get better at the end of the season.
An editorial in a prestigious American journal agrees after an expert panel reviewed all the evidence and current guidelines. If you suffer from hay fever with or without allergic conjunctivitis (itchy sore eyes), use regular daily antihistamine tablets (the non-sedating ones) or regular nasal steroid sprays; if control is poor, use both. Start before “your” season and continue 2-4 weeks after it usually finishes. If control is still poor, talk to your doctor about additional therapies and advice which may include allergy testing.
Article written and supplied by Dr A W B Crockett FRCGP, Allergy Central
Last Reviewed: 1 April 2011
Next Review Date: 1 April 2013
