Seasonal Allergies
Can you pass me a tissue? I’m about to sneeze!
 What are seasonal allergies?
 Who is affected?
 What are the common allergens that cause seasonal allergies?
 What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?
 How long do the symptoms last?
 Can I take anything to reduce the symptoms? And, what are the side effects of these
medications?
 How can seasonal allergies be prevented?
 What can I give my child if he/she has allergies?
 Is there anything I can take if pregnant or breastfeeding?
 When should I see a doctor?
 Resources
 References
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What are seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, are a common condition that occurs when people inhale
allergens in the air.
Examples of common allergens are dust, pollen, mold, and pet hair. Although most people don’t have
problems with these allergens, some people with sensitive immune systems experience an allergic
reaction.
Who is affected?
About 20% of Canadians suffer from seasonal allergies.1 Anyone can get allergies and the risk is higher if
one or both parents have seasonal allergies.
DID YOU KNOW?
1 in 5 Canadians are affected with seasonal allergies. 2
What are the common allergens that cause seasonal allergies?
The most common allergen to cause seasonal allergies is pollen. When people with seasonal allergies
come in contact with an allergen, their body starts to release certain chemicals which in turn cause
allergy symptoms.
Pollens are powdery substances that are released from trees, grass, and weed. These pollens are high at
different times of the year.
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Tree pollens cause allergies in spring.
Grass pollens cause allergies in late spring to summer.
Weed pollens cause allergies in late summer to early fall.
Seasonal allergies usually begin in spring and end in fall. This is because trees and weeds grow at these
times and the pollen is very high when they are growing.
What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?
The common symptoms of seasonal allergies are:
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Sneezing
Stuffy, itchy, and/or runny nose
Itchy and/or red eyes
Itchy and/or sore throat
How long do the symptoms last?
The amount of time that you have allergies varies in each person and what they are allergic to. For most
people, they tend to have the symptoms for less than 6 weeks. 3
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Differences between mild, and moderate to severe allergies
Mild: Your allergy symptoms do not stop you from doing regular activities such as school, work, or
household chores, and you are able to sleep normally.
Moderate to severe: Your allergies prevent you from doing regular activities and can affect your sleep.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
Let’s talk about your symptoms:
Have you been sneezing a lot?
 Yes
 No
Do you have an itchy, stuff, and/or runny nose?
 Yes
 No
Do you have itchy and/or red eyes?
 Yes
 No
Do you have an itchy and/or sore throat?
 Yes
 No
Do your allergy symptoms interrupt your sleep?
 Yes
 No
Are you able to carry out your daily activities without being bothered by your symptoms?
 Yes
 No
How long have you had your symptoms?
 Less than 6 weeks
 More than 6 weeks
If you answered yes to 1 or more of the questions above, you may be experiencing seasonal allergies.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms so they can recommend the right treatment for
you.
Can I take anything to reduce the symptoms? And, what are the side effects of
these medications?
There are many over-the-counter and prescription medications that can be used to treat your symptoms
of seasonal allergies.
IMPORTANT: If you have any questions or concerns about your medications or your
allergies, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
Antihistamines
 Help with symptoms of itchy and runny nose, sneezing, and itchy and watery eyes.
 The most common antihistamines are:
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o Benadryl® (diphenhydramine)
o Reactine® (cetirizine)
o Aerius® (desloratadine)
o Claritin® (loratidine)
o Allegra® (Fexofenadine).
Some of the older antihistamines (such as Benadryl®) can make you very drowsy and dizzy
Most people taking newer antihistamines such as Reactine®, Aerius®, Claritin®, and Allegra®
don’t experience side effects. However, some people have experienced minor side effects such
as headache and diarrhea.
Since older antihistamines have more side effects, newer antihistamines are preferred for the
treatment of seasonal allergies.
CAUTION:
If taking Benadryl® (diphenhydramine), do not drive or operate any machinery until
the drowsy effects have worn off.
Decongestants
 Decongestants are available in two forms:
1. Pills
2. Nose spray
 Are used to treat stuffy nose.
 Since antihistamines do not treat stuffy nose, decongestants are often combined with an
antihistamine to help all the symptoms of allergy
o Examples of combination products are:
 Aerius® Dual action (desloratidine + pseudoephedrine )
 Reactine® complete (cetirizine+pseudoephedrine)
 Claritin® Allergy+Sinus (loratidine + pseudoephedrine)
 Oral decongestants can cause dizziness, lack of sleep, and increased blood pressure.
CAUTION
People who have heart disease, or have high blood pressure
should not use this medication. Please talk your pharmacist
before taking oral decongestants, to make sure they are safe
to use.
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Decongestant nose sprays are:
o Otrivin® (xylometazoline)
o Drixoral® (oxymetazoline)
o Dristan® (oxymetazoline).
Nose sprays can cause some burning and may dry out the nose.
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IMPORTANT
Do NOT use Otrivin®, Drixoral® or Dristan® nose sprays for more
than 3-7 days. Using these nose sprays for more than 7 days can
actually make your stuffy nose worse. 4
Steroid nose sprays
 If your symptoms don’t improve with over-the-counter medications, or if your symptoms are
severe, you may need a steroid nose spray which is available by prescription. In some provinces
within Canada (such as Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia), pharmacists are
able to prescribe medications for seasonal allergies. Please check with your local pharmacist. 5
 Steroid nose sprays work very well for stuffy, runny and itchy nose. Steroid nose sprays are also
a preferred treatment for people with moderate to severe seasonal allergy symptoms.
 Examples of common steroid nose sprays are:
o Nasonex ® (mometasone)
o Avamys ® (fluticasone furoate)
o Flonase ® (fluticasone propionate)
o Omnaris® (ciclesonide)
o Mylan-Beclo (beclomethasone)
o Rhinocort aqua® (budesonide)
o Nasocort AQ ®(triamcinolone).
 Common side effects of steroid nose sprays are mild irritation and stinging in the nose.
Steroid nose sprays start to work in the first day or two, but it is
important to use them every day during the allergy season to get
the full benefit.
How can seasonal allergies be prevented?
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Although seasonal allergies can be best prevented by avoiding the allergens that cause your
symptoms, is not always the easiest. Table 1 offers tips on how to lower contact with pollen.
Table 1: TIPS TO LOWER YOUR POLLEN EXPOSURE
1. Keep doors and windows closed to lower the amount of pollen that gets indoors.
2. Use an indoor cycling air conditioner.
3. Check the pollen count every day between spring and fall. To check the pollen count
online, visit http://www.theweathernetwork.com/outdoors/pollen/list.
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4. Limit outdoor activities during times of the day when pollen levels are high. Normally,
pollen levels are highest in the morning. 1
5. Shower after being outside to remove any pollen from your hair and body.
6. Avoid drying clothes outdoors to prevent pollen from sticking to your wet clothes.

If you notice that you get seasonal allergy symptoms at the same time each year, you can
prevent the symptoms by taking your allergy medications 1-2 weeks before they occur.
What can I give my child if he/she has allergies?
Some of the allergy medications have age restrictions which should be taken into consideration when
treating your child’s allergies.
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Newer antihistamines such as Reactine®, Claritin®, and Aerius® are preferred because they
cause less drowsiness.
Decongestants should NOT be used in children less than 6 years old.1 Instead, saline nose
drops/mist should be used in children less than 6 years old to clean the nose.
Some steroid nose sprays are considered safe to be used in children 4 years of age or older. 1
Is there anything I can take if pregnant or breastfeeding?
IMPORTANT
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about your
allergy symptoms so that they can suggest treatments that is best for you.
When should I see a doctor?
You should go see the doctor in the following situations:
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If you have tried over-the-counter medications for 2 weeks and have had no relief from your
allergy symptoms. 1
If you are not able to identify what allergens are causing your symptoms. In this case, your
doctor may refer you to an allergy specialist who may do a skin test to identity the allergens.
If you have a fever or pus-like discharge from your eyes or nose.
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Resources
1. Patient self-care.2nd edition. Ottawa: Canadian Pharmacists Association.
2. Asthma Society of Canada. http://www.asthma.ca/
3. Guidelines for Minor Ailment prescribing: University of Saskatchewan.
http://medsask.usask.ca/professional/guidelines/index.php
References
1. Roy H. Allergic Rhinitis. In: Patient self-care. 2nd edition. Ottawa: Canadian Pharmacists
Association; 2010. P. 171-185.
2. Asthma Society of Canada. Allergies Count Too (ACT) initiative. Available from:
http://www.asthma.ca/allergies/index.html
3. Small P, Kim H. Allergic rhinitis. Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology 2011; 7(1):S3
4. medSask. Allergic Rhinitis- Guidelines for Prescribing Intranasal Corticosteroids 2010. Available
from http://medsask.usask.ca/professional/guidelines/allergic-rhinitis.php
5. Canadian Pharmacists’ Association. Pharmacists’ expanded scope of practice 2014. Available
from http://www.pharmacists.ca/cpha-ca/assets/File/pharmacy-incanada/ExpandedScopeChartEN.pdf
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