During the warmer months, hay fever can be a frustrating condition if you don’t have an adequate form of medication. Treatments such as Prevalin Allergy are an effective way to fight off a pesky bout of hay fever, but is it safe to use over a long period?
For a condition such as hay fever, which often requires regular medication or sprays to keep your allergies at bay, you are bound to be concerned about long-term use. Some medications are stronger than others, and some require a prescription while many are available over the counter, so it’s crucial to establish which is best for you. In this post, we discuss the use of hay fever medications and whether or not it’s safe to use them long term.
Find a Treatment That Suits Your Needs
Everyone is different, and so the effectiveness and any side effects of medication will vary from person to person. It’s for this reason that there is a vast range of medication available for every ailment, and hay fever is no different. According to NHS data, over 20% of the UK’s population suffers from hay fever, which means there’s a huge number of people in need of medication that works for them, without severe side effects.
Fortunately, there are a lot of options available to make it easier for people to find something that is effective and simple to use. A common solution is a nasal spray (such as Prevalin Allergy) but there are also tablets, oral solutions and creams available both on prescription and over the counter. If you’re in need of hay fever treatment for children, there are various forms of medication specially formulated for their needs, including syrups and sprays with a smaller nozzle to reduce the dosage.
What Hay Fever Medications Are There?
There are several different types of hay fever medication available, each designed to suit the needs of the user as well as the severity of their allergies. Many medications are available over the counter, but if you have more severe allergies that require stronger treatment (such as steroid nasal spray), you will need to get a prescription from your GP. Below, we list the most common and popular types of hay fever medication and how safe they are to use over a long period.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are cost-effective and fast-acting (they often take around an hour to work), and they can come as liquids, nasal sprays and tablets. Antihistamines ease hay fever symptoms and help stop asthma symptoms, such as breathlessness, being triggered by a pollen allergy. If you have mild symptoms that come and go, antihistamines are an ideal solution.
The long-term use of antihistamines is safe for both adults and children, but just like any other medication, there are potential side effects, including drowsiness. Therefore, you should only take antihistamines when needed, at the correct dosage, and always consult your GP if you notice any side effects.
Steroid Nasal Spray
If your hay fever is severe and bothers you every day, a steroid nasal spray is the most effective way to tackle your symptoms. But it can take a little while to feel the benefits, so don’t be concerned if you don’t see immediate results. Nasal sprays contain small amounts of steroids to reduce the swelling in your nose and make it easier to breathe. But is it safe to use steroid nasal sprays long term?
Despite being steroid-based, these types of nasal sprays are considered to be very safe to use (provided you take them correctly and as advised by your GP). While some people may only need to use their spray a few months of the year, others will use theirs consistently over a longer period. If you do the latter, you may be advised to take a lower dose to reduce the risk of side effects while keeping your hay fever symptoms in check.
Drug-Free, Fast-Action Sprays
If you’re looking for a quick and effective solution, and you’re also hesitant about taking antihistamines or steroid-based medications, drug-free nasal sprays such as Prevalin Allergy are a perfect choice. Not only does the lack of antihistamines and steroids eliminate drowsiness and other more impactful side effects, but Prevalin also gets to work in as little as three minutes and provides you with long-lasting protection (for between four and six hours). With products suitable for both adults and children, Prevalin offers a powerful and fast-acting treatment as well as the peace of mind that your medication is drug-free and extremely safe for long-term use.
Although these types of sprays are drug-free, it’s always worth consulting with your GP if you take any other medications to ensure that they won’t have any adverse effects or hamper their effectiveness.