Chic Chat
the local magazine with a Contemporary Flavour
HEALTH & BEAUTY
SYMPTOMS OF HAY FEVER ARE CAUSED by an allergic response to grass pollen which appears in spring, increases in amount through early summer and finally reduces in late summer. Hay fever sufferers experience some of the following symptoms:
Hay fever
Red, itchy sore eyes, often with a stringy discharge. Blocked/runny nose and sneezing, itchy throat, sleep deprivation and inability to enjoy outside activities. Management of hay fever depends on the type and severity of symptoms.
1. Itchy sticky eyes can be treated with OPTICROM eye drops, the active ingredient being sodium cromoglycate which reduces the immune response to allergens. Relief of symptoms is not immediate and the drops need to be used continuously for maximum benefit. It is available over the counter at the chemist.
2. The nuisance of a blocked/runny nose and sneezing can be reduced by using a steroid nasal spray eg BECONASE which is sold at chemists. It also needs to be used continuously.
3. Antihistamines are useful for multiple symptoms. PIRITON is an older sedative antihistamine available over the counter and it is useful for night time symptoms. There is also a selection of non-sedative antihistamines e.g. CLARITYN, ZIRTEK, BENADRYL that you can buy. These are better for day time use, but a word of warning, research has shown that people who take them regularly are more likely to be involved in road traffic accidents.
4. For those with insufferable symptoms a combination of the above is beneficial and if that’s not enough your doctor may agree to using a long acting steroid injection for example KENALOG. The Joys of Spring and Summer!
Bites and Stings
Insect bites and stings can be another source of irritation during the summer and avoidance is definitely the best policy!
BITES
The most prominent biting (blood feeding) insects in Britain are the mosquito,
horsefly, gnat, midge and black fly. Fortunately mosquitoes do not carry
malaria in temperate climates but their bites can cause allergic reactions
and infection. Swelling, heat, redness, itching and pain are signs of
both. It is always worth trying an antihistamine and hydrocortisone early
on and if there is no improvement after a couple of days your doctor might
advise some antibiotics.
STINGS
Bees, wasps and hornets introduce their venom into the skin through a ‘sting’.
Bee stings should be removed by scraping the sting off the skin, it should
not be squeezed. Bee stings are acidic and said to be relieved by application
of an alkalis such as bicarbonate of soda.
Wasp and hornet stings are alkaline and weak acids like lemon juice and vinegar are supposed to be helpful.
The placebo effect of these treatments is not to be underestimated so there is no need to panic if they are not to hand!
Antihistamines and sometimes hydrocortisone are useful for stings. Wasp stings are particularly liable to infection so again if there is no improvement after two days antibiotics may be necessary.
If you would like any further information on this subject, please email me at dr.sarah@chicchat.co.uk and include a telephone number if you would like me to call you back. Your emails will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
1 Warwick Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire HP9 2PE tel: 01494 677362 fax: 01494 675385 
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