Hay Fever And Allergies

Hay Fever - Advice and Information

Dr. Chris outlines the symptoms and treatment of hay fever

What is Hayfever?

Hay fever, also known as 'seasonal allergic rhinitis', is caused by an allergic over - reaction to pollen and fungal spores. Hayfever is more likely to occur in conjunction with other allergic conditions like asthma and eczema.

Key Symptoms

Every person with hay fever will show a slightly different pattern of symptoms, depending on the particular pollen or spores they react to.

Symptoms include sneezing, red and sore swollen eyes, dark under eye circles, runny nose, nasal tissue swelling, congestion, blocked sinuses and headaches.

There are a number of key things you can to reduce your exposure to pollen:

• Watch the pollen count. You can find UK pollen counts at bbc.co.uk/weather
• Avoid going outside as much as possible when it's humid and windy or when pollen counts are high.
• Protect your eyes from pollen with wrap around sunglasses- Large sunglasses block airborne pollen and when they are wraparound they stop pollen going from the eyes into the nose.
• Don't put washing out to dry if counts are high as pollen may get trapped in the fibres of clothes and bed linen.
• Wash your hands regularly to avoid pollen build up. Take shoes off before coming into the house and shower at night to get rid of pollen stuck to clothes or hair- wash your hair every night.
• Keep your windows shut when the pollen count is high - first thing in the morning and between 5-7pm. Also close the windows at night. There is more pollen in the atmosphere at night and people tend to leave windows open because it is warm.

Treatment

Antihistamines

These inhibit the effects of histamines, which are released during an allergic reaction and cause the symptoms of hay fever. They come in tablet form and you can get a months supply on prescription or buy over the counter medications. Avoid cheap antihistamines like piraton - they cause drowsiness. Try to avoid these and choose non-sedating anti histamines which only need to be taken once a day.

If your prime symptoms are a runny nose and sneezing then you want to include one of the following for the nose-

Steroid Nasal Sprays

These act by reducing inflammation in the nose or eyes and contain the active ingredient beclometasone dipropionate.The nasal spray will not relieve the symptoms immediately, and can take two to three days to have its full effect.

The nasal spray will be most effective if you start using it  two to three days before you expect to develop symptoms. This could be before the start of the pollen season, or if you know you are going to be in contact with pets that cause an allergic reaction. For maximum benefit, the spray sgould be used regularly to keep  nasal inflammation under control.

Eye Drops

If you suffer from itchy eyes then use an eye treatment. These contain the active ingredient sodium cromoglycate which helps to soothe the inflammation in the eyes. They can provide relief from red, itchy, watery and puffy eyes, and work best when used regularly to prevent the allergy, even when you don't have symptoms.

Alternative treatments

Haymax- organic

This is not a drug and so doesn't have any side effects. HayMax acts as a trap - or a blocker. When applied to the bottom of the nose like a lip balm, it  traps the pollen before it it enters the body.Without pollen in the body, there's nothing for the body's immune system to react against. No pollen - no sneezing.

It contains organic ingredients including beeswax from the rain forest in Zambia. The product lasts for a long time and cost £6.95 per pot. HayMax is available at independent health food stores and chemists and is available from selected Waitrose stores. Also available online at their website, www.haymax.biz

Aller- clear - homeopathic and herbal by 'Potters'

Aller clear is a range of homeopathic and herbal remedies for hayfever sufferers made by Potters. They make nasal sprays, tablets and eye drops if you are looking for a natural alternative.

Myairzone Personal Ioniser £99.99

Recommended by 'British Heart Foundation.'This little machine is particularly useful as the hayfever season approaches. It's a rechargeable portable mini ioniser that can be used at home, at work, in the car or for travel anywhere. It also doubles up as a room air cleaner - covering an area of 4 m x 4m.

MyairZone will provide instant relief from hayfever, pet allergies, dust, mould and smoke. It aids easy breathing and protects against airborne germs, providing pure clean air day after day. No batteries needed, fully guaranteed, supplied complete with charger, instructions and stand.

'Allergymatters' Laundry detergent

Wash bedclothes to neutralise pollen and dust mite allergens even in your cool wash items. Window filta priced at £19.99 details available from www.Windowfilta.co.uk

This article was published on Fri 16 June 2006

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