Helpful hacks for dealing with hayfever 

We’ve come through the warmest, driest spring on record, and enjoyed some pretty good sunshine so far this summer. This means, though, that it’s been perfect conditions for pollen production, causing a lot of grief for those with hay fever.

Pollen, produced by plants when multiplying, contains proteins to which 1 in 4 people react to, in the form of an immune response. The symptoms of this can present in different ways, including allergic asthma, eczema, and hay fever. Antibodies are created to remember the threat, and histamine, cytokines, and prostaglandins are released to fight off the foreign entity, but this reaction by the body leads to lots of uncomfortable symptoms despite its good intentions.

Anybody who is a hay-fever sufferer, or who has one in their lives, will know the irritation and discomfort caused by streaming eyes, blocked nose, constant sneezing and interrupted sleep. Sufferers may experience puffy eyes, wheezing, cough, tiredness, and even ear problems. For most people, the symptoms are relatively mild and just inconvenient, but for others, they can be more severe and severely impact quality of life. It can become difficult to concentrate, to even function when the symptoms are at their worst.

There are three types of pollen that contribute to hay fever.

Tree pollen from March to May affects about a quarter of people. Weed pollen can be all year round, particularly from the end of June, and grass pollen is the biggest issue from May to July. This latter one is the most common culprit, as it affects about 90% of sufferers. The first of two peaks for this is just behind us, with another one on the way shortly. Nettle and mugwort pollen peaks towards the end of this month too, so it’s still all ahead of us!

Weather can really impact the pollen count, with rainy days offering some reprieve, versus hot, humid, and windy days causing havoc! The time of day is also a factor, with the count being highest in the early evening on sunny days.

Our changing climate is a big issue also, as this can influence a number of things, according to research by the UK Health Security Agency, including changes in temperature and rainfall, which lengthen the pollen season and raise the concentration of pollen. An increase in the potency of pollen particles is being reported, and increases in the geographical areas affected most, due to invasive species growing more aggressively.

Rather than just accepting the discomfort for this period of time, there are things that can be done in your own day, and with the help of your pharmacist, to relieve your symptoms. For the more severe cases, there are also options for your doctor to explore. Even with prescription medications for hay fever, the below tips are good to try and incorporate into your day where possible. They may require some effort, but will pay off in the long run to reduce your symptom severity.

• Put some Vaseline around your nostrils, as this can act as a very simple barrier to trap the pollen before it travels up to irritate the nasal lining and activate the immune response even further.
• Wraparound sunglasses are available to purchase, which can give a great physical barrier against the pollen getting into your eyes.
• Staying indoors where possible isn’t always the most realistic piece of advice to implement, but even considering what times of day you’re out there can help, avoiding those peaks in pollen count where possible.
• Keeping car and home windows closed to prevent pollen entry might make a difference to symptoms experienced
• Showering or bathing before bed will remove the pollen that would otherwise cause irritation at bedtime or in the evenings. Even a damp cloth on your hair when you come in from the outdoors can help in the interim to trap the pollen that may have landed there.
• Pass on the jobs of mowing the lawn or gardening, and reconsider walking in very pollinated environments like meadows. Not worth the discomfort afterwards!
• Ask your pharmacist what they would recommend for you from the over-the-counter treatments available, including antihistamine drops, tablets or nasal sprays. Sometimes one or more of these can really help to dampen down the reaction in the body, and make life more livable. Versions of these are available for both adults and children, so make sure to explore options for any family member who’s suffering.

The good weather comes with its challenges, particularly for those experiencing hay fever due to the high pollen count.

Being prepared with preventative measures up your sleeve can make all the difference to symptoms and your ability to enjoy the sunshine!