Pharmacy drugs ‘can reduce hayfever symptoms’

People should be encouraged to use over-the-counter drugs to tackle their allergies as the hayfever season begins, an expert has suggested.

US-based Mark Dykewicz, professor of internal medicine and chief of allergy and clinical immunology at the School of Medicine at Saint Louis University, made his comments to online resource Medical News Today.

He claimed that through careful planning and preparation, many sufferers could limit their seasonal pollen reaction and potentially even avoid being affected altogether.

While not every person will benefit from over-the-counter antihistamines, many will, Dr Dykewicz explained.

Should pharmacy drugs be insufficient in tackling symptoms, “the good news is there’s a lot you and your doctor can do to help relieve or prevent suffering caused by allergies”, he added.

Last year, Gareth Malson, staff editor for Hospital Pharmacist publication, commented that community pharmacists are in a good position to treat hayfever sufferers.

He told online resource PJOnline that they are the health care professionals it is easiest for the public to access.