Making sense of slimming

Over the past couple of weeks many of us have noticed a distinct sense of summer in the air. The temperatures are slowly rising, the days are lasting longer, and rays of sunshine appear almost daily. 

Apart from the changing weather conditions and the lighter evenings, there are other telltale signs that have made thousands of people in the UK aware that hay fever season is upon us.

Sneezy season

Its a time of year that is equally dreaded and revered by so many. Hooray for the sunshine boo to the allergies. It would seem that the common symptoms of hay fever have already started affecting so many of us. Most of the pollen in the air during spring is from trees, but if the warm climate continues this way, flowers and crops will be blooming earlier too, causing more achoos all over the country.

Symptoms of hay fever vary depending on which type of pollen you are allergic to, how severe your allergy is, and the amount of pollen in the air. The most common symptoms of hay fever are:

• frequent sneezing,
• runny or blocked nose,
• itchy or watery eyes, and
• an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears.

Some people may also experience:

• loss of smell,
• face pain (caused by blocked sinuses),
• sweats and
• headaches.

People with asthma may also find symptoms, such as wheezing and breathlessness, get worse during the hay fever months.

Find out more about asthma

Hay fever relief

Dont let hay fever ruin your enjoyment of the warm weather. There are plenty of products available that can help relieve those unpleasant symptoms caused by histamine.

Histamine is a natural chemical produced by the immune system of the body. It is released when the body comes in contact with an allergen. An allergen is a substance that isn’t normally harmful, such as pollen, but causes an over reaction by the immune system in some people.

When histamine is released, it causes symptoms such as itching, sneezing, or runny nose. However, many people find antihistamines help reduce their symptoms of hay fever.
 
Antihistamines often come in the form of nasal sprays or tablets, and work by counter-acting the allergic reaction. Many antihistamines are available over-the-counter, and most can be used daily or more often.

Find out more information about antihistamines

There are lots of other products that help keep pollen at bay, such as eye drops, creams, steroidal sprays and drops, and steroid injections.

Eye drops work by reducing the release of histamines  from your eyes, which eases itching and swelling. Drops containing the active ingredient cromoglycate are most widely used. Eye drops are normally used with other treatments.

Creams that block pollen are also available. There is currently research taking place to see how effective these creams are at reducing the symptoms of hay fever and other allergies.

Find out more about allergies

Steroidal nasal sprays and drops can help prevent all nose symptoms, including, sneezing and congestion. They can also relieve itchy, watery eyes. Theyre most effective if you start using them a couple of weeks before your symptoms usually begin, and work best when used regularly. Many are available over-the-counter, but you need a prescription from your GP for some.

Steroid injections can also be given as a short-term measure to suppress hay fever symptoms at a critical time, for example, during an exam period. However, these are only advised as a temporary treatment.

If you know you get hay fever quite badly every year you may want to start to take preventative medication a few weeks before the hay fever season starts. Speak with your GP or pharmacist for more advice.

Find out if you can take hay fever medicine during pregnancy?

Pollen dodging

It is almost impossible to avoid that pesky pollen completely, but following a few of these simple steps can help reduce the effects of hay fever this season.

Generally the pollen count is highest in the early evening, although for many people the symptoms of hay fever are worse in the mornings and evenings. To reduce the amount of pollen you come into contact with, try the following:

• Keep windows and doors shut in the house. If it gets too warm, try drawing the curtains to keep out the sun and keep the temperature down.
• Avoid cutting grass, playing or walking in grassy areas, and camping.
• Change your clothes and take a shower after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body.
• Wear wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen getting in your eyes when you are outdoors.
• Keep car windows closed, and consider buying a pollen filter for the air vents in your car.
• Keep fresh flowers out of the house, and vacuum (ideally using a machine with a HEPA filter) and damp dust regularly.
• Do not smoke and stop other people from smoking in your house. Smoking, and breathing in other people’s smoke, irritates the lining of your nose, eyes, throat and airways which can make your symptoms worse.
• Keep pets out of the house during the hay fever season. If your pet does come indoors, wash it regularly to remove any pollen from its fur  

You can see your GP or pharmacist about your hay fever. Theyll be able to suggest some treatments to help relieve symptoms. Some are available on prescription and some over the counter. Remember to mention if you are already taking other medication or you have other health conditions.

Find out more about hay fever