唔想個鼻開水喉？識食藥就唔洗愁
Find your Right Drug for Allergic Rhinitis
鼻敏感的藥物治療目標是舒緩症狀，減少病情對日常生活及睡眠質素的影響。最常用的兩種藥物是口服抗組織胺和類固醇類噴鼻劑。
Allergic rhinitis is a common health concern of many people. The goal of treatment is to relieve allergic symptoms, which often interfere with sleep and quality of life. There are two common types of medications which are antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids.
抗組織胺 Antihistamines
抗組織胺俗稱「抗敏感藥」，能舒緩流鼻水、鼻子痕癢、打噴嚏和眼睛痕癢等症狀。
Antihistamines can relieve allergic symptoms such as runny and itchy nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes.
抗組織胺分為「第一代」與「第二代」，兩者同樣能有效舒緩過敏症狀，但第二代藥物較少引起昏睡的副作用，對患者的學習和工作影響較少，而且大部分第二代藥物只需每天服用一次，使用上較為方便。
Antihistamines can be divided as first and second-generation antihistamine. Both can effectively relieve allergic symptoms. However, as most of second-generation antihistamines have less tendency to cause drowsiness and are only taken once daily, they appear to be more convenient and preferable for study and work.
服用任何抗組織胺都應避免飲用酒精類飲品，以免加重昏睡的副作用。如服藥後受到影響，切忌駕駛或進行其他需要高度集中精神的活動。
It is important to avoid alcohol as it increases the sedating effect of any kinds of antihistamine. If you experience drowsiness after taking antihistamines, do not perform any task that requires high concentration such as driving or operating machinery.
類固醇類噴鼻劑 Intranasal corticosteroids
類固醇能遏止鼻黏膜對致敏原產生過強的反應，減少鼻黏膜發炎，如果正確使用是相當有效的一線藥物。類固醇類噴鼻劑一般在使用後12 小時内起效，但最佳效果需連續使用約一星期才出現。
Intranasal corticosteroids, or nasal steroid in short, can reduce the immune reaction to allergens along the nasal lining, thereby reducing inflammation and allergic symptoms. As long as it is used properly, it is a safe first-line medication for treating allergic rhinitis. The effect of nasal steroid starts within 12 hours after application. Full effect can be achieved after one week of consecutive treatment.
曾有家長因聽說「類固醇副作用多」，抗拒給孩子用藥。事實上，噴鼻劑把藥物直接送抵鼻黏膜產生作用，吸收進血液的藥量遠比口服方式為少。按照處方指示使用，對孩子的健康影響甚微。
Many people may have concern about the side effects of steroids and therefore refuse to treat with nasal steroids for themselves and their children. In fact, nasal steroids act directly on the lining of nose, thus the risk of causing side effect is much lower than oral steroid. Also, the risk is minimal when used under instructions of healthcare professionals.
類固醇類噴鼻劑較常見的副作用是局部的鼻腔不適，如鼻腔乾燥、輕微灼熱感等，罕見情況下或會出現流鼻血，此時可暫停用藥待狀況改善。如對用藥有任何疑問，請向藥劑師查詢。
Common side effects of nasal steroid include local nasal discomfort, irritation and dryness of nose, unpleasant smell and taste. Sometimes it will cause bleeding of the nose. If it occurs, stop the medication until it resolves. If you have any concern about the above medications, please consult your pharmacist.
屈臣氏藥劑師團隊
Watsons Pharmacy Team
