There ain’t no cure for the summer time blues!

​…or is there?

I saw numerous patients last weekend (a very hot and sunny one) with above summer associated ailment.  I basically dispensed Piriton and sent them on their way, along with the advice to retreat indoors for the next month or so.  Feeling that I had not really done a lot to help out these patients, I mulled this over the following evening in my neighbour’s back garden, over a chilled glass of wine.  Luckily my neighbours also happen to be Plymouth based GPs and had some sound advice for hay fever treatment.
So here is a simple ED recipe for hay fever.  Even better for the patients, they don’t need a prescription, which saves them and us money, which is all good.

• Eyes:    
  • Opticrom drops QDS (sodium cromoglycate)  £2.74 can buy over the  counter, can use in all ages.
• Nose:  
  • Beclometasone intranasal spray  (6 years old and over) 100 mcg BD, don’t need a prescription
• Systemic:             
  • Cetirizine 10mg OD  (20mg off license but often advised for severe symtoms ) £1.40.   
    • Can give in children over 2 (dose in BNF) and no prescription required.   

• Loratidine  10mg OD is also good £1.75.  
• These are much better than Piriton as much less sedating.   

Suzy Connor