For most of us the springtime is a welcome break from the harsh cold and dark of the winter months
. However for those of us who are hay fever sufferers all those new flowers can be a bit of a nightmare. With plenty of preventative methods and remedies around though it is possible for us all to enjoy the break of spring, without those annoying puffy eyes and sneeze attacks.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. It affects the eyes and nose through pollen getting into the eyes or being breathed in.
It usually begins to affect people in spring but could last throughout the summer months, depending on the specific type of pollen an individual is allergic to. The silver birch, ash and oak trees are the main offenders whose pollen is likely to cause people problems in the early spring. There are also different types of grasses which can be an issue for people throughout the summer such as rye, meadow, cocksfoot and timothy. In late summer weeds such as nettles and mugwort can cause a problem for sufferers.
The main symptoms of hay fever include:
Constant sneezing
Itchy or runny nose
Itchy or watery eyes
Itchy ears and throat
Feeling unwell
Lack of concentration
Hay fever can affect asthma sufferers too, causing a wheezy sensation in the chest when the pollen count is high.
Some of the main treatments include:
Antihistamine tablets and nasal sprays; these can help with irritated eye, nose and throat symptoms
Anti-inflammatory nose sprays and drops; these are usually steroid based and can help to stop irritation in the delicate skin within the nasal passage.
Anti-allergy nose sprays and eye drops; these prevent the pollen from causing a reaction within the nostril and eyes
Decongestant tablets and sprays; these can help to clear a blocked stuffy nose
Homeopathic treatments are also available, it is thought by some experts that taking a dose of local honey every day for a few months before the pollen season starts could be helpful to prevent symptoms.
It is all about finding the right combination of treatments which personally works best for you. Most remedies are available over the counter at your local chemists however some need to be prescribed by your GP.
There are various things which you can do to try and prevent symptoms of hay fever as much as possible.
Staying inside when the pollen count is particularly high and wearing wraparound sunglasses are just a couple of preventative methods you can take.