Spring Is In The Air

For those of us in Sydney you will be well aware that Spring is amongst us. With this comes milder mornings and evenings, more sunshine for us to play in and an increase in pollen floating around the place. For those of us who suffer from hay fever (allergic rhinitis), Spring brings along with it the need for antihistamines and eye drops. But what are the side effects of taking these hay fever medications? I took a quick look into it to sum it up for you.

What are Antihistamines?

Antihistamines are a class of drugs that block the histamine receptors that cause histamine release upon the body upon encountering an allergen. Histamine is the main immune product that is responsible for itching, hay fever, rashes and hives.

Main Side Effects of Antihistamines

• Dry Mouth
• Drowsiness
• Dry Skin
• Dizziness
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Restlessness (children)
• Difficulty Urinating
• Blurred Vision
• Confusion

What do I need to know?

Keep Hydrated – most of the side effects are related to dehydration, so it is very important stay ultra-hydrated while taking antihistamines. It’s good for saliva flow, skin, kidneys and overall body function.

Work out which antihistamine works for you, there’s quite a few on the market shelves, so consult a pharmacist prior to purchasing.

If you’re feeling dizzy/light-headed, change antihistamines.

If they are not helping to relieve hay fever symptoms, consult your GP as it is possible to overdose on antihistamines and cause heart and kidney failure if too many are ingested.