Hay Fever

Up to one in five people suffer from hay fever at some point in their life;

Symptoms can include;

• Sneezing
• Running nose
• Itchy and swollen eyes
• Headaches

Pollen is the main cause of Hay fever. It is a fine dust released by plants, trees and grass.

When we breathe in this pollen through our nose and mouth, it settles in our facial cavities causing the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses to become irritated, swollen and inflamed.

Hay fever usually begins during childhood/teenage years, and is more common in boys than girls.  Adults are affected equally.

If you have a family history of allergies like asthma or eczema it is highly likely you will be affected by hay fever too.

It is very difficult to control hay fever and difficult to avoid pollen, especially in the summer months when the pollen count is high.

Most people can control their symptoms with antihistamines available over the counter, some nasal sprays have anti-inflammatories which can reduce any swelling and help stop itching in the nose and eyes. For more severe reactions, you should visit your GP, they can prescribe stronger medication if needed.

You could also try some of the following tips to help you;

• Wear wraparound sunglasses to avoid the pollen getting into your eyes.
• After being outdoors change your clothing and have a shower to remove any traces of pollen from you.
• Apply a small amount of Vaseline to the nostrils to stop the pollen grains entering the nasal passage.
• Check weather reports before planning a trip or day out so you can prepare for a high pollen count before leaving the house.

Immunotherapy is a treatment that involves being exposed to amounts of pollen particles over a period that can range from months to years.

This helps to build up a resistance to the pollen and its allergic effects.

The good news is, that as you get older, it is quite common for your symptoms to improve and could even disappear completely.