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Advising on allergy in the pharmacy clock 5 Min

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Advising on allergy in the pharmacy clock 5 Min

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In Sponsored Education

This module aims to increase your knowledge about the different causes of allergy throughout the year, as well as giving you the confidence to recommend an effective product to manage your customers’ symptoms.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  1. Recognise that some allergens are present throughout the year, not just during hay fever season

  2. Differentiate between the symptoms of an allergy and those of a common cold

  3. Provide appropriate self-care advice to those suffering from allergies

  4. Understand how loratadine works to relieve allergy symptoms.

Allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts to a foreign substance, known as an allergen, such as pollen, mould, dust or pet dander.1

When a person has an allergy, the immune system makes substances known as antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful. When a person comes into contact with the allergen the immune system’s reaction triggers the release of histamine, which may cause allergy symptoms.1

The severity of allergies varies from person to person and can range from minor irritation to anaphylaxis, which is a potentially life-threatening emergency.1 Certain foods, insect stings and medicines are among the allergens that can trigger anaphylaxis, while allergic rhinitis symptoms are milder and include: sneezing; itchy nose, eyes or roof of the mouth; runny, stuffy nose; tiredness; and watery, red or swollen eyes.1

People are more likely to have an allergy if members of their family also have allergies, or if they have conditions such as eczema and asthma.2

Symptom check: cold versus seasonal allergy4

Sometimes, colds and seasonal allergies (hayfever) can present with similar symptoms.

Symptom Cold Allergy
Fever
Sometimes Never
Itchy eyes
Rarely Usually
Sore throat
Usually Rarely
Sneezing
Usually Usually
Tiredness
Sometimes Sometimes
Runny nose
Usually Usually
Stuffy nose
Usually Usually
Cough
Usually Sometimes

Product information and information on adverse event reporting is available at the end of the module.

Content developed by Bayer working together with CIG Healthcare Partnership.
© 2025 CIG Healthcare Partnership

June 2025

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