“It is very helpful for a lot of people” (stock image) (Image: Getty)
A health knowledgeable has revealed that an reasonably priced pill could help alleviate hay fever symptoms, as the Met Office’s ‘Very High’ alert stays in place across huge swathes of England and Wales. Pollen counts are set to stay elevated for many victims until the finish of the week, which means thousands and thousands face the distress of hay fever symptoms.
According to the NHS, hay fever is a widespread allergy that triggers sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. While there is no treatment, there are measures you can take to ease your symptoms, along with medicines that can present reduction.
Symptoms embrace sneezing, coughing, a runny or blocked nostril, itchy, pink or watery eyes, itchy throat, mouth, nostril and ears, loss of odor, ache around the sides of your head and your brow, headache and feeling drained. The NHS provides: “Symptoms are usually worse between late March and September, especially when it’s warm, humid and windy.
“Hay fever can last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which often goes away after one to two weeks.” To bring relief for sufferers, Dr Ranj Singh highlighted a type of over-the-counter medication that is “very useful”.
Appearing alongside hosts Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones on a previous edition of BBC‘s Morning Live, Dr Ranj recommended antihistamine medication Fexofenadine as an effective remedy for allergy sufferers, reports the Mirror.
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Discussing the drug, he said: “Fexofenadine is often accessible on prescription and now is accessible over the counter. It is very useful for a lot of people.” He did, however, urge people to bear in mind that it can only be taken by those aged six and over.
He added: “You can’t drink orange, apple or grapefruit juice while you are taking it because it can increase your risk of side-effects including complications, drowsiness, dry mouth, nauseous or dizziness. People with certain circumstances like liver, kidney or coronary heart issues and epilepsy should not take it either.”
Fexofenadine is extensively accessible at pharmacies across the nation. Boots, for instance, is at present stocking its own 30-pack of Fexofenadine Hydrochloride 120mg Film-Coated Tablets for £8.99, working out at just 30p per pill. The retailer states: “Fexofenadine Tablets begin to relieve your symptoms within one hour and lasts for 24 hours.”
The NHS describes fexofenadine as an antihistamine that alleviates allergy symptoms, commonly used to treat hay fever, conjunctivitis, eczema, hives, reactions to insect bites and stings, and certain food allergies.
It further notes: “Fexofenadine is a non-drowsy antihistamine. It’s less seemingly to make you really feel sleepy than some other antihistamines. It’s accessible on prescription and comes as tablets.
“You can also buy 120mg fexofenadine tablets for adults and children aged 12 years and over from pharmacies and supermarkets. You can buy 180mg tablets for treating hives from pharmacies. Tablets for children under 12 years old are only available with a prescription from a doctor.”
Frequent uncomfortable side effects embrace complications, drowsiness, nausea and dizziness. The NHS warns: “Do not drive, cycle or operate tools or machinery if you’re feeling sleepy or dizzy. Do not drink grapefruit juice, apple juice or orange juice while you’re taking fexofenadine as the medicine may not work as well. It’s best not to drink alcohol while you’re taking fexofenadine as it can make you feel sleepy.”
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