It's Allergy Season in Canada, but what exactly are these Allergies?

Allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever or pollinosis, literally means “allergic nose inflammation,”

Allergic rhinitis can either be intermittent or persistent. In many people with intermittent allergic rhinitis, an allergen (something that triggers an allergy)  sets their symptoms off at about the same time each year. Spring attacks are usually due to tree pollen, while grass pollens dominate in the summer and weed pollens in the autumn. Most people with allergic rhinitis are sensitive to more than one allergen.

Most people with allergic rhinitis know they have it, although it can sometimes be confused with the common cold.

Symptoms might include:

• runny nose
• sneezing
• itchy nose, mouth, throat
• eye irritation
• congestion

However, other symptoms can also occur, such as tearing of the eyes, coughing, sore throat, wheezing, and headache.

People with mild allergic rhinitis have symptoms, but they are not troublesome and do not interfere with daily activities such as school, work, or sleep. With moderate/severe allergic rhinitis, the symptoms are troublesome and affect daily life.

Persistent allergic rhinitis is defined as having symptoms more than 4 days a week or for more than 4 weeks a year. 

This condition is most common in people with allergies to allergens that are present all year. Naturally, people who are allergic to house dust mites or to their own pets tend to suffer year-round. Allergic rhinitis affects about 20% of Canadians.

nuPharma offers common ailment services across the country, including allergies. Your nuPharma pharmacist can assess your symptoms and recommend “at-home”, self-care, or over-the-counter treatments. They may also be able to prescribe medication to help treat your allergy symptoms.

The best way to prevent allergic rhinitis is to avoid the allergen, however, it is not always possible to control the environment or to eliminate or avoid allergens, especially those that are airborne. Many people need medication treatment for relief. Fortunately, most people respond well to medications. The therapy of choice will depend on your symptoms, the severity of your symptoms, your past response to medications, and other medical conditions that you have, if any.

Conclusion

Discover how nuPharma's expertise can alleviate your allergy woes. Our pharmacists offer personalized advice and a wide-range of allergy relief solutions, from over-the-counter medications to natural remedies. 

Trust nuPharma to help you conquer allergy season with confidence.