Acne Treatments: Skincare to Prescription Options
If you have symptoms consistent with acne, or have previously been told by your doctor that you have acne, then there are many treatment options. These can start small at home with some self-treatment, increasing up to creams and tablet medications, and finally, a referral to a skin specialist if needed. Prescribed vs cosmetic treatments Within the past few years, the growth of the ‘cosmeceuticals' industry has increased rapidly. Whether you walk into a well-known high street pharmacy or shop at online beauty retailers, you cannot deny that many skincare products contain bioactive ingredients that claim to have medical benefits, such as fading acne scars. These claims hold some truth as the ingredients they use are present in prescribed treatments for skincare concerns. Skincare products available to buy contain weaker forms of these active ingredients or are diluted in their strength. However, important to note that there are no requirements for skincare products to have their claims proven. That’s not to say that they are of no use. Some people benefit from these skincare products alone, whereas some may require stronger prescribed treatment from their doctor.
Reviewed: 19 Feb 2025 | 4 min read
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Antihistamines and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
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Drowsy (Sedating) Antihistamines: Uses and Side Effects
Antihistamines are a group of medications that prevent the level of histamine from rising in our body and reduce the symptoms this can cause. They can be used to treat a range of conditions including allergic reactions, motion sickness and insomnia. However, the term "antihistamines" most commonly refers to medications that are used to treat hay fever. Antihistamines can be classified as sedating (drowsy) or non-sedating. With drowsy antihistamines, care should be exercised when driving or operating heavy machinery, and alcohol should be avoided. Below, Healthwords pharmacists will go into more detail about the different antihistamines and their side effects.
Allergic Rhinitis: Causes and Treatment
The word ‘rhinitis’ means inflammation of the nose and if this is caused by an allergy, it’s known as ‘allergic rhinitis’. Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is an allergy to pollen. Typically, grass or tree pollen are the culprits. They cause itchy eyes, nose, and throat, plus sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes. These symptoms occur in what’s known as hay fever season, which is typically from the end of March to July but varies depending on where you are in the country and whether your allergy is to grass pollen or tree pollen. House dust mite and pet allergy can trigger allergic rhinitis at any time of the year. Allergic rhinitis is very common, with around 7-8% of people in the US suffering with it at some point in their life; however, it most commonly starts as a child or teenager. It can run in families, and you are more likely to have allergic rhinitis if you also suffer from asthma or eczema. Allergic rhinitis is not contagious.
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Nasal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, can cause discomfort and interfere with daily activities. Fortunately, nasal sprays are effective tools for managing allergy symptoms, providing relief from congestion, sneezing, itching, and runny nose. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore who can benefit from allergy nasal sprays, the different types available, potential side effects, and when to use each type.
