Avoidance is the best treatment for any allergy whenever possible. Keeping doors and windows closed in the home and in your car and avoiding vigorous outside activity will help to lessen your exposure during times when the pollen count is high. Removing pets from the home and dust and mould control measures can significantly relieve symptoms due to perennial allergens. Antihistamines may relieve many hay fever symptoms by inhibiting the action of histamine on nasal and eye tissues. When a person first starts to take these medications they often cause drowsiness, but this usually goes away after a day or two of taking antihistamines on a regular basis.

It is generally best to start with a low dose and increase the dose gradually until symptoms are controlled or until the maximum dose is reached. Newer antihistamines tend not to cause drowsiness in most people. Nasal decongestants act to decrease the swelling of the nasal tissue and the resulting feeling of stuffiness. Oral decongestants may cause sleeplessness and jitteriness. Topical nasal decongestants cause "rebound" congestion and irritation of the nasal passages if used more than 2-3 days. This means the stuffiness returns, but the nose spray doesn´t help as much. Opticom nose spray works by blocking the allergic reaction on the mast cell. It prevents or reduces the release of histamine and other chemical substances, which cause the allergic symptoms. It does not cause drowsiness and does not cause "rebound" congestion. It is best started before exposure to known allergens, such as before the grass pollen season. Nasal corticosteroids (e.g.Beconase) are effective in treating allergic symptoms and are best used locally to minimize side effects. It often takes several days to become effective. Nose bleeding has been reported with nasal steroid use. Oral corticosteroids (prednisone) are different in that when taken internally the risk of side effects is much greater than when used in small amounts locally, such as in the nose. Similarly, long acting injections of steroids may have an increased incidence of side effects. When possible, it is prefered to treat with topical steroids rather than oral or injectable. If oral steroids are unavoidable then short bursts of oral steroids on alternate days minimizes side effects. Eye drops Antihistamine decongestant eye drops act similarly to oral preparations and can relieve allergic symptoms of red, itchy, watery eyes. Opticrom blocks the release of chemical substances from the mast cells around the eyes, thus preventing or reducing allergic symptoms. Saline (salt water) nose drops are often helpful in relieving nasal symptoms. You can purchase these or make your own by mixing 1 cup of water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of baking soda. Inhale a handful of this solution at a time. Discard the home-made solution after twenty-four hours because it contains no preservative.