The hay fever season seems to last longer and longer each year.
“Climate change is definitely affecting the hay fever season,” says airborne allergens expert Max Wiseberg. “We seem to be getting more mild winters, which means trees start producing their pollen earlier. If we have a mild February like last year for instance, trees start to pollinate, triggering hay fever symptoms. And last year we had high and moderate weed pollen counts well into September.” What is hay fever, what causes it and how can we prevent it?
“Common symptoms of hay fever,” continues Max, “include sneezing, a runny nose, a stuffed up nose, itchy and watery or streaming eyes, nasal congestion and a general stuffed up feeling in the nose and throat. Some people also experience itching around the face and mouth including an itchy mouth, itchy roof of mouth, and a burning sensation in the throat. Headaches and wheezing can also occur.”
“Hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction to too much pollen in the body. Everyone can tolerate a certain amount of pollen – it varies from person to person. But once this tolerance level is exceeded – known as your ‘trigger level’ – a reaction will start to occur. The body’s reaction is to produce histamines. Normal amounts of histamines in your brain are good – they keep you alert, attentive and awake. But, when there are too many in your body, they produce the various symptoms common to hay fever sufferers.”
“One method of dealing with the symptoms is to take antihistamines. An antihistamine works by blocking the action of the histamine, which works well for some people and is one of the most popular methods of treating hay fever. But because they block the histamine they can also affect the histamines in your brain and therefore cause drowsiness as well as a dry mouth. As well as drugs, natural antihistamines such as quercetin and butterbur are also available in tablet and capsule form. And some foods are good sources of quercetin, such as red onions, kale, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, blueberries and apples.”
“As with any allergy, prevention is better than cure. If you have a dairy allergy, you avoid dairy. And it’s the same with pollen – only it’s a little more difficult to avoid as it’s in the air we breathe. Allergen barrier balms work by trapping some of the pollen before it enters the body, helping keep the sufferer below their trigger level for longer. HayMax organic drug-free allergen barrier balms have been proven to trap over one third of pollen before it enters the body [1].”
“You can also reduce the amount of pollen around your home, meaning there is less pollen for your body to deal with. Keep doors and windows closed to help stop pollen getting in your home. Vacuum your carpets, rugs and floors regularly, as well as upholstery and fabrics, such as curtains, to remove pollen. Damp dust surfaces and ornaments – damp dusting helps prevent pollen being dispersed back into the air.”
“If you have pets, keep them off sofas, armchairs and beds, and out your bedrooms if possible. Change and wash your bedding regularly and try allergy friendly mattress covers and bedding. Keep blankets and cuddly toys in a box or cupboard to prevent a build-up of pollen on them.”
“And when you are outdoors, wear wraparound sunglasses to prevent pollen particles coming in contact with your eyes. Tie your hair up and wear a hat to prevent pollen particles being caught in your hair. Try to avoid going out or minimise your time outside in the morning and evening when the pollen count is at its highest.”
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