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runny nose, watery eyes, sneeze, cough – whatever your hay fever Symptoms, it’s no surprise if you’ve recently had a flare-up.
During spring, both the trees and the grass Pollen is released into the air.
If you are allergic to the proteins in them, your nose, eyes, throat, and sinuses may swell, sting, and burn.
“Many people suffer from hay fever because pollen counts are high, partly thanks to Climate changesays Dr. Nissa Aslam, GP, Typharms Skin Life Sciences Foundation. “Plus the pollen season is getting longer.”
She explains that immune function plays an important role in the allergic response. “People who suffer from hay fever often not only have a family history of hay fever, but also have skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, which can often stem from immune system problems.”
The weather can also play a part in how badly you are affected.
“Some hay fever sufferers may experience a sudden increase in their symptoms slightly earlier than usual, this may be due to the recent prolonged wet and windy weather,” says Clare Nevinson, superintendent pharmacist at Boots.
“On a daily basis, precipitation reduces pollen, but over a period of months, intermittent wet days produce a more severe hay fever season overall.”
Things could get worse. A recent study published by the University of Worcester Science of the Total Environment The magazine warned that this could be one of the worst seasons for birch pollen on record.
Severity is caused by two things. “First, higher than average temperatures last June, when pollen production occurs, allow more potential for higher pollen levels,” says Dr. Beverley Adams-Groom, the university’s senior pollen forecaster.
“Secondly, birch trees have a biennial pattern of pollen production, a mild year and a severe year, and this year was already expected to be a high year.”
So what can you do if your hay fever is much worse than usual at the moment?
The first step is to avoid exposure to the pollen that affects you the most.
,Allergies Grass pollens and tree pollens responsible for hay fever include [spring and summer]weed pollen and fungal spores,” Dr. Aslam says.
“Check out the daily pollen forecast. Don’t go outside when pollen counts are high and keep all windows closed.
Preventive medications can help reduce symptoms if you know in advance when you’re going to be exposed to pollen.
“It could be a steroid nasal spray one to two weeks before symptoms start,” says Dr. Aslam.
Alternatively, natural nasal sprays “may help prevent the symptoms of hayfever and other types of allergic rhinitis by forming a protective film in our inner nose, blocking the allergens we are trying to enter into our respiratory tract”. she says.
Similarly, like ointments Vaseline Pollen can act as a trap.
“Apply a barrier balm of petroleum jelly around your nose to trap pollen and help relieve dry and uncomfortable skin from frequent nosebleeds,” says Ms. Nevinson.
“Shower and change your clothes after going outside to wash off pollen, and wear wraparound sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting into your eyes.”