Eye drops
Itchy, red and watery eyes are common symptoms of hayfever. A type of treatment called a mast cell stabiliser (e.g. sodium cromoglicate) can help to manage these symptoms.
The body’s mast cells contain histamine and play a central role in many different allergies. As the name suggests, mast cell stabilisers work by stabilising mast cells, preventing them from releasing histamine and thus stopping allergic symptoms such as itchy, red and watery eyes from occurring. Some may cause side effects, such as a stinging or burning sensation in the eyes. Examples include Opticrom Allergy Eye Drops and Optrex Allergy Eye Drops.
Fast facts
- Around 18 million people in the UK suffer from hayfever, and incidence rates are on the rise
- There are around 30 types of pollen that can cause hayfever
- Hayfever is more common in boys than girls, but affects adult men and women equally
- The number of older people suffering from hayfever for the first time is rising
- Many people find their symptoms improve as they get older, with symptoms disappearing completely in around 10-20 per cent of people
- There is currently no cure for hayfever, but most people are able to relieve their symptoms, at least to a certain extent, with treatments and self care
- Without treatment, hayfever can lead to complications such as asthma, sinusitis and otitis media (middle ear infections), and have a serious impact on quality of life.