Coping With Hay Fever and Allergies in Older Adults

Hay fever and allergies are often thought of as something that affects children and younger adults, but they can trouble older people too, and sometimes for the first time later in life. Itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing and congestion are just as miserable at eighty as at eighteen, and for older adults there are a few extra things worth knowing.

Here is a practical guide to managing hay fever and allergies in later life, including one genuinely important safety point about medication.

Allergies in later life

While allergies often ease with age, plenty of older people still experience seasonal hay fever, triggered by pollen in spring and summer, or year-round allergies to things like dust mites, pet dander or mould. Some people even develop allergies for the first time in later life.

The symptoms are the familiar ones: sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy or watering eyes, and sometimes an itchy throat or cough. Beyond the discomfort, poor sleep from congestion, or streaming eyes affecting already reduced vision, can take a real toll on an older person's wellbeing, so it is worth taking seriously rather than dismissing as a minor nuisance.

An important word on medication

Here is the point that matters most, so please do take note of it. When it comes to treating allergies in older adults, medication needs particular care, and this is very much a conversation to have with a GP or pharmacist rather than simply reaching for something off the shelf.

The reason is that some older, traditional antihistamines can cause significant drowsiness and other effects that are riskier in older people, including an increased risk of falls, confusion, and problems for those with certain conditions. Newer, non-drowsy antihistamines are often more suitable, but even these can interact with other medications or existing health conditions.

This is why the single most important step is to ask a pharmacist or GP what is appropriate for your loved one specifically. A pharmacist can recommend something suitable and safe given their age, their other medicines and their health, which is far better than guessing. Please do not assume an allergy remedy that suits a younger adult is right for an older one.

Reducing exposure: often the best approach

Because medication needs care, reducing exposure to allergens in the first place is especially valuable for older people, and much of it is simple and completely safe.

For hay fever, during high pollen periods:

• keep windows closed, particularly in the early morning and evening when pollen counts are often highest
• check the daily pollen forecast and plan outings for lower-pollen times where possible
• wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors to protect the eyes
• a little petroleum jelly around the nostrils can help trap pollen before it is breathed in
• change clothes and, ideally, wash or rinse after spending time outside, as pollen clings
• dry washing indoors during high pollen periods, rather than on the line where it collects pollen
• keep the car windows up, and use a pollen filter if the car has one

For indoor allergies, such as dust or pet dander:

• keep the home clean and well dusted, using a damp cloth that traps dust rather than scattering it
• vacuum regularly, ideally with a filter that captures fine particles
• wash bedding frequently at a warm temperature
• reduce dust traps where practical, and air rooms regularly
• manage damp and mould, which are common indoor triggers

When it might be more than hay fever

It is worth being aware that symptoms which seem like a persistent cold or allergy can sometimes have other causes in older people, and a runny nose or cough is not always an allergy. If symptoms are new, persistent, one-sided, unusual, or accompanied by anything more concerning, it is worth a chat with the GP to be sure of what is going on rather than assuming.

And, as with anyone, any sign of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing, is a medical emergency and needs a 999 call straight away.

How a live-in carer helps

Managing allergies well is really about consistent little habits, and this is exactly the sort of everyday support a live-in carer provides.

A carer can help keep the home clean and as allergen-free as possible, keep an eye on the pollen forecast and plan the day around it, make sure windows are managed sensibly, and support your loved one to take any medication exactly as the GP or pharmacist has advised. They will also notice if symptoms are troubling your loved one or not improving, and can help arrange a GP or pharmacy visit. It all adds up to an older person who is more comfortable, sleeps better, and can still enjoy being outdoors in the warmer months.

Comfortable through the seasons

Hay fever and allergies need not make an older person miserable through spring and summer. With sensible allergen avoidance, the right advice on any medication, and a little day-to-day support, your loved one can stay comfortable and carry on enjoying the seasons.

If you would like to talk through how we help keep the people we care for comfortable and well, we would be glad to help.

Book a free care advice call, or give us a ring on 020 3970 9900.

This guide offers general information and is not medical advice. Allergy medications are not all suitable for older adults, so please speak to a GP or pharmacist before starting any treatment, and seek urgent help for any severe allergic reaction.