Allergy symptoms:
Causes and management

It doesn’t matter whether allergy symptoms are mild or severe, seasonal or constant, they can make day-to-day life difficult.⁵ Here’s everything you need to know about allergies and keeping them in check.

What are allergies and allergens?

The technical term for nasal allergies is ‘allergic rhinitis’, but we’re all probably more familiar with the term ‘hayfever’. Hayfever is caused by specific environmental triggers called allergens. These often include:⁶

Dust mites

Grass or tree pollen

Pets

Mould spores

Depending on the allergen, your symptoms might occur seasonally or all year round.⁶

Allergy symptoms

Hayfever mainly affects the eyes and nose, with symptoms often including:⁶

Nasal congestion

Sneezing

A runny nose

Itchy or watery eyes

An itchy nose

Symptoms can range from mild to severe and, if not managed properly, can also lead to:

Disrupted sleep

Sinusitis

Daytime fatigue

An inability to concentrate

Headaches

What is the difference between an allergy or a cold?

Hayfever or allergies share many of their symptoms with the common cold, which can cause some confusion – but there are some key differences.⁷

Bear in mind that allergy symptoms also tend to continue until they’re treated properly. So, where your average cold tends to last between 3 and 14 days, allergies can persist for weeks at a time and even entire seasons.⁷

Managing allergies

Limiting contact with your trigger can be an effective way to minimise allergic reactions.⁹

Learn more about hayfever allergies and help minimise your symptoms with these helpful tips.

Dust mite allergy⁹

Wash bedding weekly in hot water (60°C+) to kill mites

Install hard wood flooring instead of carpet

Choose blinds over fabric curtains

Keep indoor humidity to a minimum

Pollen allergy⁹

Try to remain indoors when pollen levels are high

Shower as soon as possible after outdoor activities

Dry washing inside or in a tumble dryer

Use re-circulated air in the car during pollen season

Animal allergy⁹

Avoid contact with animals that trigger a reaction

Keep pets out of living areas and bedrooms

Keep pets outside where possible

Change and wash clothes regularly

Mould allergy⁹

Remove visible mould as soon as it appears

Open windows and use extractor fans

Seal bathroom and roof leaks

Remove indoor pot plants

Treatment options

While allergy minimisation strategies may help in relieving mild allergy symptoms, moderate to severe or frequent symptoms may need managing with medications or other therapies.⁶

Intranasal corticosteroid nasal sprays (INCS), like Nasonex^® Allergy, are powerful allergy treatment and prevention sprays. They work at the source to relieve the nasal inflammation caused by hayfever allergens and are recommended as a first-line treatment option for moderate to severe allergies and/or persistent allergies.^6,10

Other over-the-counter treatments available include:⁶

Antihistamine tablets for daily relief of mild allergies.

Decongestant sprays and tablets for short-term relief of nasal congestion.

Non-medicated products, such as saline nasal sprays, to help cleanse the nasal passage.

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Allergy symptoms: Causes and management