What are seasonal allergies?
Allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever, is your body reacting to things in the air like tree and grass pollen, ragweed, dust mites, mould or pet dander. In Ontario, trees pollinate in spring, grass in early summer, and ragweed from August until the first frost.
It isn’t a cold, and it isn’t contagious. But it can wreck your sleep, your focus at work or school, and your patience.
Listed in Ontario’s minor ailments program as: Allergic rhinitis.
Common symptoms
- Sneezing, often several times in a row
- Runny or stuffy nose with clear mucus
- Itchy nose, eyes, throat or ears
- Red, watery eyes
- Symptoms that come back at the same time each year, or around pets or dust
How a Kennedy pharmacist can help
Your pharmacist will ask when your symptoms happen, what you’ve already tried, and about any other health conditions such as asthma. Then they’ll recommend or prescribe the treatment that fits you best.
That may be a non-drowsy antihistamine, a steroid nasal spray (often the most effective option for a stuffy nose when used every day), or allergy eye drops. We’ll show you how to use a nasal spray properly, because the technique makes a big difference.
Treatment works best if you start a couple of weeks before your usual allergy season, so it’s worth coming in early.
If we think you’d be better served by a doctor, we’ll tell you, and help you figure out where to go.
Medicines a pharmacist may consider
- Fluticasone (Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), budesonide (Rhinocort), triamcinolone (Nasacort) or ciclesonide (Omnaris) nasal spraysteroid nasal sprays, best for a stuffy nose
- Azelastine and fluticasone nasal spray (Dymista)an antihistamine and steroid combined in one spray
- Cetirizine (Reactine), loratadine (Claritin), desloratadine (Aerius), fexofenadine (Allegra), bilastine (Blexten) or rupatadine (Rupall)non-drowsy antihistamine tablets
- Olopatadine eye drops (Pataday)for itchy, watery eyes
Your pharmacist chooses based on your symptoms, age, pregnancy, allergies and other medications, so not every option is right for everyone. Brand names are examples. We often use the generic version, which works the same and usually costs less.
What it costs
The assessment is free with a valid Ontario health card. It’s paid for by the province, just like a visit to your doctor.
If you’re prescribed something, the medicine is paid for like any other prescription: through your drug plan, the Ontario Drug Benefit (65+ and other eligible people), OHIP+ (under 25 without a private plan), or out of pocket.
Good to know: Many allergy medicines are sold over the counter, but some drug plans will cover them when a pharmacist prescribes them. Bring your plan card and we’ll check.
No Ontario health card? Text or call us first and we’ll tell you the fee before we start.
When to see a doctor instead
See your family doctor, a walk-in clinic or a nurse practitioner if:
- You also have wheezing, a tight chest or asthma that’s getting worse
- Your nose is blocked on one side only, or you get frequent nosebleeds
- You have facial pain, fever, or thick coloured mucus lasting more than 10 days
- Treatment isn’t helping after 2 to 4 weeks
Call 911 or go to the ER if:
- Swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing. This could be anaphylaxis. Use your epinephrine auto-injector if you have one and call 911
Not sure? Call Health811 (dial 811) any time to speak with a registered nurse, free.