Congestion, runny nose, sneezing and itching of the eyes are common symptoms for seasonal allergy sufferers. For relief, most people turn to over-the-counter medications however, in some cases prescribed treatments may actually be needed.

Video Transcription

Host: Allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever, effects approximately 20-25% of Canadians, making it one of most common chronic health conditions in North America. Congestion, running nose, sneezing and redness, watering and itching of the eyes are common symptoms for seasonal allergy sufferers. Dr. Peter Spafford was recently at an allergy awareness event in downtown Toronto to speak to the public about the symptoms of seasonal allergies and available treatment options. Dr. Peter Spafford: Seasonal allergies are caused by exposure to allergens, for example, in spring, you start off with tree pollens and moving to summer and the beginning of fall, you will have grasses and weeds such as ragweed. Allergic rhinitis can cause a co-morbid condition called the acute rhinosinusitis and what happens is in acute rhinitis, you are going to have inflammation, irritation of the lining of the nose which is going to basically lead to swelling and that's going to block the outflow of the sinuses and lead to infection. It's often difficult to tell the difference between allergies and sinusitis is quite across over of symptoms their patient complaint. Allergies in general seems to characterized by itch, sneeze, running nose and eye symptoms. Sinusitis are also characterize by headache and facial pain. It's often very hard to tell, so you are probably best to consult your doctor to get his assessment on which condition you have and what the appropriate treatment might be. Host: For relief, many Canadians turn to a wide range of over-the-counter medications available, however, in some cases, a prescription product may be more effective. In some cases prescription products like Nasonex nasal spray may help to relief both allergy and sinusitis symptoms. Dr. Ian Witterick: Over-the-counter medications for allergic rhinitis may not be effective for all patients. So for instance, antihistamines will help for symptoms such as itchiness, running nose, but for the main symptom of nasal congestion or blockage, patients really need something like a topical nasal steroid which will help to open up and give more relief. In terms of over-the-counter medications for complications such as acute sinusitis, then we do have antihistamines which tend to dry up the secretions. So they are not really very effective. Decongestants, either spray or by pill, will help some patients but the only proven method that have been shown by randomized clinical trials are the topical nasal steroids and antibiotics, either alone or in combination. Host: Since it can be difficult to completely eliminate or avoid exposure to allergens, it is important to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis and to ensure you are receiving optimal treatment for your allergy symptoms.