The 6 things all hay fever sufferers must do before allergy season hits within WEEKS
WE haven’t hit spring yet, but hayfever sufferers can brace for a high pollen count in the coming weeks.
The usual symptoms – runny nose, itchy eyes, and nonstop sneezing – are on the way.
And while summer is often a struggle for many, hay fever is now starting as early as February.
According to research from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), “rising temperatures” are causing tree pollen seasons to start “earlier” and at “higher levels,” making symptoms more severe than usual.
“This means that some allergy sufferers could begin to experience hay fever and other reactions as early as January/February,” experts at the agency, said in a release on its website.
It isn’t necessarily bad news for all hayfever sufferers though.
Statistics from Asthma + Lung UK suggest, 95 per cent of hayfever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen, and 20 per cent are allergic to tree pollen (some are allergic to both).
It is those who are allergic to tree pollen who will tend to be affected in spring as trees such as oak, birch, alder, hazel, and horse chestnut are the first to begin pollinating.
“Climate change is linked to rising mean temperature, and it is expected to influence the seasonality and concentration of some pollen spores,” experts wrote in the paper, published in the Science of The Total Environment.
“In regions with long-term pollen monitoring, rising seasonal temperatures have been associated with an earlier start of pollen seasons, longer pollen season, and increased annual pollen concentrations.”
Although hay fever is pretty common, it can really interfere with day-to-day life, explains Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and Director of Midland Health.
“It can lead to poor sleep, reduce your ability to think clearly and even worsen conditions like asthma,” she says.
“And in some cases, it can increase the risk of ear infections in children.”
When we think of shielding ourselves from pollen, our mind often jumps to using medicines like antihistamines and nasal sprays.
While these are effective, science-backed methods, Dr Rupa suggests there are other ways to protect yourself from those pesky spores.
1. Allergy-proof your home
It’s a good idea to keep windows and doors closed in the early morning and evening when pollen counts are usually highest.
“If you have carpet in your home, you may want to consider switching to hard flooring like stone or tiles,” the expert explains.
“These surfaces are impenetrable, making it impossible for pollen and dust to get trapped and build up,” she adds.
Whether you have carpet or hardwood floors, it’s wise to vacuum at least once a week.
“Ideally, your vacuum should have a dust filter,” she says.
“It’s also advisable to empty your vacuum once you’re finished to prevent allergens from lingering.”
2. Improve your personal hygiene habits
Pollen can get trapped in your hair and even your eyelashes so it’s wise to shower before bed to wash off any allergens, the doctor says.
“That way, you can avoid it rubbing onto your pillow and incubating yourself all night,” she explains.
“Equally, it’s best to change your clothes as soon as you get home to avoid spreading pollen throughout your home.
“Just to be on the safe side, you should also consider washing your pyjamas and pillowcases twice a week,” she adds.
3. Protect your airways
While many of us have a regular grooming routine, removing your nose hair or plucking your eyebrows removes the first line of defence against allergens.
“These hairs trap allergens, preventing them from entering your body,” Dr Rupa says.
“Light trimming is completely fine but it’s best to avoid removing the hairs completely.”
To flush out pollen and dust from your nose, you can use a saltwater rinse.
“This is particularly helpful first thing in the morning and at night,” she explains.
“You can buy ready-made kits or make your own with cooled, boiled or filtered water with a teaspoon of salt and bicarbonate of soda,” she adds.
“Then of course, applying a thin layer of Vaseline around your nostrils is a tried-and-tested method to prevent particles from entering the nasal passage”.
4. Medication
Antihistamines are usually the first-line treatment and can help with sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes.
“There are drowsy options, like chlorphenamine and promethazine, but non-drowsy alternatives such as cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine are usually preferred – especially fexofenadine, which is less sedating,” she says.
For congestion, nasal corticosteroid sprays can help reduce stuffiness and that irritating runny feeling.
“However, it’s worth noting they need to be used regularly and can take up to a week to work,” the expert adds.
“Decongestants, medicines that relieve a blocked nose, can also provide quick relief by shrinking blood vessels in the nose but they shouldn’t be used for more than a few days.”
Earlier this month, Sun Health spoke to Curtis Arnold-Harmer, who became so reliant on nasal sprays that doctors warned his septum was close to rotting away.
Steroid sprays are a stronger type of nasal treatment for severe hay fever symptoms, especially when standard nose sprays don’t provide enough relief.
“For example, flixonase nasule drops were previously used to treat long-term inflammation in the nose and sinuses when nasal sprays weren’t sufficient,” Dr Rupa says.
However, steroid sprays should be treated as a last resort after trying standard topical nasal sprays at their maximum doses.
“This is because it delivers a higher dose of steroid to the nose, so long-term use can increase the risk of side effects, including problems with breathing, sores inside your nose and even blurred vision,” she adds.
5. Consider alternative treatments
Light therapy is a pretty unconventional method of putting an end to allergies.
It involves shining a high-intensity UV light into each nostril with a Rhinolight machine.
“The treatment alters the histamine release from the cells in the nasal passages, improving reactions to pollen and other allergens such as house and dust mites,” the doctor says.
“In most cases, people start noticing improvements within the first couple of weeks.
“Occasional top-up sessions may be recommended every few months to maintain the benefits.”
And although it doesn’t work for everyone, it’s a straightforward, pain-free option worth considering.
While not a quick fix, immunotherapy, also known as desensitisation treatment.
It can be a helpful approach for those with severe hay fever symptoms who don’t respond well to typical treatments like antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays.
“It works by gradually building up your resistance to pollen by administering small doses over a set period,” the doctor says.
“Doses can be given as injections, tablets or drops.
“It’s important to begin this treatment before the hay fever season starts, and over time, it can reduce your need for medication.”
If you are interested in this approach, you can get it on the NHS but there may be a long waiting list, or you can seek treatment privately.
The hay fever steroid injection is a prescription-only medicine designed to suppress the immune system’s reaction to pollen.
However, this treatment is not for people with ordinary hay fever symptoms.
It’s really for those whose symptoms are so bad that they struggle with day-to-day life.
“The injection contains a corticosteroid, which is a type of steroid medicine that reduces swelling and allergic reactions, and it’s injected into the muscle of the buttocks.
“Usually, the dose is calculated based on your body weight.”
It’s worth noting that as the injection suppresses the immune system, it can make you more susceptible to other infections, such as chickenpox, flu, and shingles.
You may also experience other side effects, like mood swings or raised blood pressure.
“That is why we only consider it as a final option after trying other hay fever treatments,” she adds.
6. Stay safe on the road
If you’re driving during hay fever season, there are a few things you can do to minimise your symptoms and stay safe on the road.
“Firstly, make sure to replace your car air filter at least once a year to avoid recirculating air full of pollen,” Dr Rupa says.
“On top of this, try to avoid busy roads as pollution can interact with pollen and increase its potency and the inflammation it causes.”
Remember, everyone responds differently, so what works for someone else, may not work for you.
If you’re unsure about your symptoms, please speak with your pharmacist or GP.
Hay fever symptoms
HAY fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.
Typical symptoms include:
- Frequent sneezing
- Runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
- An itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- Cough, caused by postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the throat from the back of the nose)
Less commonly, you may also experience:
- The loss of your sense of smell (anosmia)
- Facial pain (caused by blocked sinuses)
- Headaches
- Earache
- Tiredness and fatigue
If you have asthma, your asthma symptoms may get worse when you have hay fever.