For some people, the changing of the seasons means the return or intensification of allergies. If you experience an adverse reaction to the increasing pollen count, there are preventative steps and medications that can mitigate the impact.
What do we mean by seasonal allergies?
A seasonal allergy is one that is specific to the time of year, usually between spring and autumn. Other names include hay fever and allergic rhinitis. It is usually caused by the high levels of pollen from trees and plants. Breathing in this pollen may cause an allergic reaction, with varying degrees of severity, that may last for weeks or months until the pollen count has lowered again. In some cases, when hay fever is caused by indoor irritants such as dust mites or pet hair, it may occur year-round.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can vary between individuals. Common signs of seasonal allergies include sneezing, coughing and a runny nose. You may have red, itchy or watery eyes, or experience itchiness in the mouth and throat, ears or nose. It can affect your sense of smell. Some people will be excessively tired or may suffer from headaches and irritability. The severity of symptoms can also vary widely.
How can they be managed?
There are two main approaches to managing seasonal allergies: prevention and treatment.
Prevention
The first step when you have a seasonal allergy is prevention, at least insofar as is practical. Your doctor may be able to offer a skin or blood test to identify the specific cause of your reaction so you can better target your response.
A local pollen count may tell you when the pollen is particularly high in your area and, therefore, when to avoid going outside. Close doors and windows to prevent pollen from entering, and if possible, install air purifiers and HEPA filters in your house and car. If you do have to go outside, wear a hat, sunglasses and mask to protect yourself, and shower as soon you return home, as well as before bed, to remove any pollen. Dusting and vacuuming inside can also be helpful.
Things to avoid include walking near fresh cut grass, or mowing it yourself. Pollen can accumulate on clothing that is hung on an outside line, so dry it inside instead. Do not keep fresh flowers in the house. Smoking can make symptoms worse. Watch out for pets carrying pollen inside on their fur.
Treatment
If you visit a pharmacist, they may offer one of several over-the-counter remedies for hay fever. These include oral antihistamines to alleviate symptoms around your nose and eyes, decongestants to unblock your nose, or nasal sprays, including corticosteroids or cromolyn sodium. Some people use nasal rinses. Alternative herbal remedies and acupuncture have been investigated as treatments for seasonal allergies, although the evidence on their efficacy is mixed. In more severe cases, your GP may recommend immunotherapy, where you are gradually injected with small amounts of pollen to allow you to build up tolerance.
Seasonal allergies can have a significant impact on someone’s quality of life, but with awareness and planning, it is possible to avoid the worst of the symptoms and manage those that cannot be avoided until the season has ended again.
What services does Clinical Rx provide?
In general, clinical pharmacists exist to help with the management of medication. They ensure patients receive the correct prescription, that it works as intended, that potential side effects are monitored, that their dosage is adjusted as needed, and that reviews are carried out as necessary. This is of particular use for those with chronic conditions who require long term management, and who are particularly reliant on the ongoing support of their GP practice.
Utilisation of clinical pharmacists allows the practice as a whole to work more efficiently, ensuring doctors can focus on more complex diagnoses and treatments, and it improves the patient experience by providing them with quicker and more tailored care. Increased efficiency in time, organisation and costs ensures ARRS funding is put to good use, to the benefit of a practice or entire PCN.
There are several benefits to utilising the services of Clinical Rx, in particular, which works as a remote clinical pharmacist provider supporting a range of PCNs and practices as needed on a flexible basis. As well as streamlining prescription management and reviews, relieving pressure on GPs, and improving patient care, it can clear the backlog and help meet QOF targets. Meeting QOF targets, in particular, allows you to be rewarded for good performance, increasing your practice income. This makes ARRS funding a profitable investment as well as one that is effective in terms of patient outcomes.
It can be a difficult decision to decide how best to use ARRS funding, but Clinical Rx can provide specific benefits for patients and doctors both in terms of efficiency and cost effectiveness. This leads to better outcomes for everyone in the PCN or practice, and for the PCN or practice itself.
For improved outcomes, we believe that communication is vital between the different professions. At Clinical Rx®, we welcome feedback and reviews, so we can continue to offer the best possible service. By working together, the team can better address the complex needs of patients, improve outcomes, and enhance the overall patient experience. Ultimately, the goal is to provide high-quality care in a collaborative and patient-centred approach.Â
Our Pharmacists are not limited to medication management only. We understand that every GP Practice has different needs at times. Whether it be assistance with protocols, quality improvement work or additional work for CQC inspections – we can help, contact us for more information.Â
References: 1. Duncan, P. et al. (2020) ‘Barriers and enablers to collaborative working between GPS and Pharmacists: A qualitative interview study’, British Journal of General Practice, 70(692). doi:10.3399/bjgp20x708197.
