The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, eyes are itching, and noses are streaming, ahh… allergy season...
Have you ever found yourself amid a beautiful sunny day, only to have your allergies take over? You may have thoughts along the lines of “Why me?” or “Will this ever stop?”, if so, then you're in the right place.
Hay fever is a common pollen allergy that comes from grass, trees and plants. Hay fever arises when the pollen particles come into contact with your mouth, nose, and throat, causing irritation and activating an allergic reaction – which is simply down to an overactive immune system.
One in five people suffer from hay fever, with genetic factors having a significant impact on who does and doesn’t get affected.
For some people, hay fever is something that they know is going to impact them every year, so can prepare in advance, they know what products work for them and where to get them. For others, it’s a bit of a gamble. Some people won’t experience hay fever for many years then one spring it may suddenly hit them!
Hay fever is especially prominent during spring and can continue through the summer. However, it is possible to get it year long, especially if you live around nature or the countryside. Tree pollen tends to be released from March until early May, however, grass pollen is from late May to early August, and weeds or certain shrubs release their pollen in the late summer.
Pollen count peaks at midday or early afternoon when there is a high concentration of pollen in the air.
Allergic rhinitis is the symptom of an allergic reaction, it is when your allergies cause your nose to become irritated, which results in symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and the roof of your mouth becoming itchy.
Many people will be aware and familiar with the primary symptoms of hay fever, including red, itchy eyes, sneezing, and a blocked or runny nose. However, you may also experience a headache, earache due to wax build-up, and possible loss of smell. In rare cases, hay fever has been reported to have caused nosebleeds. Those with asthma will also get wheezy with a tight chest, finding it difficult to breathe.
There is no cure for hay fever, but there is medication you can take to reduce symptoms which can be found at your pharmacy. However, if nothing seems to help you, your GP may prescribe you antihistamines, medicines that can relieve your hay fever and allergy symptoms, they may also prescribe a steroid nasal spray.
Hey Pharmacist can help you manage your repeat prescriptions, and if you want to avoid going outside to reduce the risk of hay fever allergies, you can have your medication delivered to your door for free!
There are various hay fever and allergy products available at your local pharmacy that can help relieve your symptoms so that you can enjoy sunny days outside without a sniffle! Ask your pharmacist for the best treatments and products. They may recommend you see your GP if you have symptoms of asthma.
Pharmacies in Scotland and Wales can offer easy access to tailored advice and treatment for hay fever. Simply pop in for expert advice today!
If you struggle with hay fever getting in the way of daily tasks, there are ways around it. Here are some of our tips to help you enjoy your spring and summer.
Bee pollen and honey, especially local honey, can help reduce hay fever symptoms. Ingesting pollen can help build a resistance to allergens. An allergy to bees doesn't mean you’ll have an allergy to honey, allergic reactions to honey are rare.
As nasty as stinging nettles are, using the leaves in tea can help if you’re suffering from allergies. Nettle leaf, and chamomile, tea are anti-inflammatory, meaning inflammation such as red eyes will be reduced.
It’s no secret that ginger is packed full of health benefits, with the bonus of being full of flavour. Ginger can help with the inflammatory issues that come with hay fever. The best part is you can add ginger to almost anything to spice up your meals!
Not only is garlic incredibly nutritious and helps increase your immune system, but it also soothes inflammation. It’s most effective if you eat it raw or crushed, but it’s also available over the counter at your local pharmacy in capsules.
Oily fish such as salmon are the richest source of Omega-3, which has a ton of health benefits, including help with your hay fever! Omega-3 fats can help to reduce inflammation, easing allergy symptoms such as puffy eyes and an itchy throat.
Allergies are never fun. Just when flu season is coming to a close, you’re once again hit with the sniffles. It can be tricky to put your finger on whether it's hay fever or a cold, especially in March and April. It seems like a never-ending cycle but, with our tips and your pharmacist's help, you can tackle allergy season head-on.
