For many Aussies, the arrival of spring is a mixed blessing. That is because with the beautiful flowers also come the hay fever season. Characterised by running nose and itchy eyes, the condition can range in severity from troublesome to debilitating.
One in five Aussies is affected by hay fever. Despite its name, it's not caused by hay and doesn't lead to fever. The term is used to describe a reaction that occurs when your eye or nose come in contact with allergens to which you're sensitive, such as pollens, moulds, dust mites or animal dander. For some individuals, exposure to these allergens triggers an immune response that causes swelling and inflammation in the inner lining of the nose (rhinitis).
Common symptoms of hay fever include itchy or watery eyes; itchy, runny or blocked nose; the constant need to clear the throat; the need to breathe from the mouth; the constant feeling like you have a head cold and snoring during sleep. Some individuals also tend to feel tired during the day, have difficulty concentrating, have frequent headaches, a hoarse voice, a reduced sense of smell and facial pain or pressure.
How to Treat Hay Fever?
One effective medicine for treating hay fever is Telfast. Telfast is one of a group of medicines called antihistamines which active ingredient is fexofenadine hydrochloride. Antihistamines work by blocking the action of histamine, which is one of the compounds involved in allergic reactions.
When your body comes into contact with an allergy trigger (pollen, for example) it starts to produce chemicals called histamines. These chemicals cause the tissue in your nose to swell, your nose and eyes to run, and your eyes, nose and even your mouth to itch. Antihistamines reduce or block histamines, stopping allergy symptoms.
You should know that different types of antihistamines are available on the market and some of them can make you feel sleepy such as chlorpheniramine, acrivastine, promethazine and hydroxyzine. Telfast medicine contains fexofenadine, which is a type of non-drowsy antihistamine. This mean, Telfast medicine is less likely to make you feel sleepy.
Different types of Telfast medicine available include:
- Telfast 60 mg tablets: recommended to relieve the symptoms of perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis, including hay fever in adults as well children aged 12 years or old.
- Telfast 120 mg tablets: recommended to relieve the symptoms of hayfever such as itchy, watery or red eyes, sneezing, blocked or runny nose in adults and children aged 12 years or older.
- Telfast 180 mg tablets: also recommended to relieve the symptoms of hayfever mentioned above plus the symptoms of urticaria also known as itchy rash or hives in adults and children aged 12 years or older.
For the relief of the symptoms of perennial or seasonal allergic rhinitis, including hay fever, the recommended dosage for adults and children over 12 years old is one Telfast 60 mg tablet twice daily. One Telfast 120mg tablet daily is also recommended to relieve the symptoms of hay fever in adults and children over 12 years of age or one Telfast 180 mg tablet daily. For the relief of symptoms of hives or itchy rash, the usual dosage for adults and children over 12 years of age is one Telfast 180 mg tablet daily.
If you're unsure what dose to take, talk to your pharmacist or doctor. Note that the dosage recommended by them may be different to the recommended dose. For safety reasons, never take more than the dose your pharmacist or doctor has recommended. The duration of the treatment will depend on the type and duration of your complaint. If the medicine doesn't relieve your symptoms, don't' take extra tablets. In this case, consult with your doctor.
While taking Telfast, make sure to tell any doctor, dentist and pharmacist who may be treating you. If you have been prescribed a certain medication, your doctor or pharmacist needs to know about Telfast as it can interfere with some medicines. If you are pregnant, you should also consult with your doctor before taking Telfast. As for side effects, Telfast can cause some as all medicines. Some people can experience more serious side effects while others won't experience any. Side effects that may occur include tiredness, nausea, headache, dizziness, indigestion and drowsiness.
Telfast can be taken with or without food. If you've been recommended the 120mg or 180mg Telfast, then take them before a meal. Always take the tablets with water. Don't chew them - swallow them whole. Try to take the tablets at about the same time every day. You may only need to take the tablet on the days you experience symptoms, such as when you've been exposed to an allergenic like pollen. Some people are recommended to take the medicine regularly to prevent symptoms, such as to avoid hay fever during spring and summer.
