Hay Fever

Hay fever, which affects 20% of the population, is an allergic reaction to pollen. Pollen grains, which are invisisible, are shed by grasses and trees into the air.

The hay fever season usually lasts from mid May to mid July, peaking in mid June. People allergic to tree pollens (Yew, Hazel, Elm, Birch) suffer most in springtime. Those allergic to grass pollens are most affected from mid May to mid July. And people allergic to nettles, fungi and moulds suffer later, in the autumn. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, nasal itchiness, runny nose, nasal blockage and red, itchy, watering eyes. Palate and throat irritation, and symptoms of asthma wheeziness, cough and shortness of breath, can also be present. 

Hay fever usually starts in the under twenties and decreases in middle age. It is increasing in suffers, especially in cities, which is due to increasing levels of pollution by the gas emitted in car exhaust fumes, nitrous oxide. This gas causes increased sensitivity of the nose and eyes to pollen.

Risk groups

Hay fever is more common in boys than in girls and also in people who were:

• Born between January and June
• Bottle fed as a baby
• Born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy
• Fed on cow's milk during their first 12 months
• Sufferers of asthma and eczema

An estimated 4 million working days are lost due to hay fever each year!

It can be prevented by keeping one's house and car windows closed, especially in the early morning and late evening, and wearing glasses or sun glasses to prevent pollen contact with eyes.

Treatment

Treatment must be started before symptoms are expected. So start in late April and continue throughout the hay fever season. Treatment uaually consists of antihistamine tablets along with inhaled nasal steroid sprays.

Antihistamines relieve congestion and irritation, and steroid inhalers, which are safe, reduce inflammation.

The new antihistamines, e.g. Clarityn, Triludan or Seldane, Zirtec and Hismanal, do not cause drowsiness. Popular steroid sprays include Beconase, Syntaris and Flixonase are only available on prescription.

This article was published on Mon 31 July 2006