Hay fever afflicts around one in five of the population. The condition is more common in children particularly teenagers but symptoms can develop from any age. Many people find the condition improves with advancing years.
The majority of sufferers are allergic to grass pollen although tree pollen can also give rise to symptoms. Trees release pollen from March to early May whilst grasses release theirs from late May to early August.
The hay fever season can therefore extend from March to October and if you’re really unlucky and allergic to both, well you may enjoy just two to three months without symptoms before the whole cycle is repeated.
People with symptoms in November, December, and January probably have allergies to something other than grass or tree pollen such as pet fur or house dust mites. Symptoms will often vary in severity being worse some years more than others depending on weather conditions and pollen count.
Sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy red and watery eyes are common. Sufferers may also complain of an itchy throat, mouth, nose or ears. Less common symptoms include the loss of smell and pain from blocked sinuses.
Although hay fever doesn’t present a serious health threat I would recommend caution for asthma sufferers with hay fever as wheezing, breathlessness even coughing may be more pronounced. Seek advice from your GP if your asthma is exacerbated in any way.
Treatment – options include antihistamine sprays, tablets and eye drops or steroidal nasal sprays. If you are taking hay fever medication regularly and your symptoms are well controlled you should continue treatment until the end of the pollen season.
Antihistamine sprays are beneficial for itching, sneezing and watery eyes although are not as effective for nasal congestion. Antihistamine tablets or liquids are beneficial for both nasal and eye symptoms and are the usual choice for children. As always I would advise speaking to your pharmacist for recommendation of the most appropriate remedy for your symptoms.
Steroid sprays do not provide immediate relief but are particularly effective when nasal congestion is a concern. Perseverance is the key and to commence treatment a few weeks before the season, so around the time of this edition.
Steroid sprays can be used in combination with oral antihistamines when symptoms are not fully controlled by either alone. Once again speak to your pharmacist about the best regime for you. Other remedies include eye drops, decongestant nasal sprays and saline sprays which help wash the nostrils free from pollen.
Finally some useful tips to minimise your exposure to pollen: keep windows and doors closed at night and first thing in the morning. Stay indoors when the pollen count is high (between 50 and 150). Pollen counts are now routinely given as part of regional weather forecasts during spring and summer.
Invest in a pair of wrap around sunglasses and smear petroleum jelly just inside the nostrils to trap unwanted pollen. Avoid mowing the grass or sitting in fields unnecessarily and remember to keep your car windows closed whilst driving.
Good luck.
Next month sun preparations and sun tans.
