While many cheer the arrival of warmer weather, for others it is marred by the onset of itchy eyes, sneezing and congestion as they battle seasonal allergies. In this column, we explore how best to treat your allergies with Boots director of pharmacy Caoimhe McAuley. Whether you are trying to stay sharp with modern, non-drowsy antihistamines or looking for simple, evidence-based lifestyle tweaks to trap pollen before it hits your airways, this interview will help you navigate and manage the lengthy Irish pollen season.
Most people wait until they are sneezing to take action. When is the optimum time to start allergy medication for the Irish pollen season?
Start before you sneeze – don’t wait until you’re suffering to begin treatment. Medications like antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays work best as preventatives, not rescue remedies. In Ireland, we have a really long pollen season, with tree pollens like birch and ash starting to flower as soon as March, while grass pollen – the biggest culprit for most sufferers – peaks in June and July and can linger right into September and October. Because nasal steroids generally take a few days to kick in, I recommend taking your seasonal allergy medications around two weeks before you would typically expect your symptoms to begin.
With spring colds still circulating, what are the tell-tale clinical signs that it’s actually an allergy?
This is genuinely one of the most common questions I used to get at the pharmacy counter in spring. The clinical tell-tale signs of an allergy versus a cold are actually quite distinct once you know what to look for.
With a cold, you’ll often feel a sore throat first, develop thick (and potentially coloured) mucus, body aches, and possibly a low-grade fever, and crucially you’ll likely feel better within seven to ten days. With an allergy, think itch. Itchy, watery eyes, an itchy nose, throat, or ears, persistent clear watery nasal discharge, and sneezing that carries on for weeks are classic signs. Another giveaway is that allergy symptoms fluctuate with your environment. If you feel worse outdoors or on a windy day, and better indoors with windows closed, that’s a significant clue it’s allergic rhinitis rather than a virus.