Hay Fever This Summer

Some pollen types across Europe are becoming more severe, starting earlier and lasting for longer; hay fever affects one in 5 people across the country. This summer, hay fever seems to be causing more havoc than ever. So UK Food Intolerance set about busting some myths and wanted to provide some tips and advice on dealing with and coping with hay fever. Want to alleviate your symptoms of hay fever? Read the article below.

What is hay fever?

Pollen and dust mites are common allergens; it is the allergic reaction to these allergens that cause the well-known term ‘hay fever’. The allergic reaction can cause a lot of inconvenience to your life for many months of the year; most of the time, the reaction isn’t life-threatening, but it can cause some discomfort. If you think you have hay fever, then please consult a Doctor. If you think you are intolerant to pollen, we can help.

What type of pollen causes hay fever?

Pollen is an intruder; our bodies react to it and instantly try to fight it off; the wind usually carries pollen. There are three types of pollen that can cause hay fever: tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen. Tree pollen is usually common from early spring to the end of spring, with the severity of your symptoms depending on the weather. Weed pollen can be harder to deal with as it can be released at any time of the year.

However, this type is more common during early autumn. Finally, grass pollen is one of the worst, as this is most common during the peak of summer. Grass pollen will multiply in the heat and be stuck in the air, making it hard for you to avoid any symptoms.

Hay Fever Symptoms

Leading on from above, what are the symptoms of hay fever? Do they differ from that of an intolerance to pollen? Hay fever has a list of symptoms; the most common ones are sneezing, blocked nose, headaches, earaches, loss of smell or if you have itchy, red, or watery eyes. They’re not the most pleasant symptoms, but they are manageable once you know how.

Do this to avoid symptoms

What natural things can you do to make your hay fever more bearable? Make sure to shower and change your clothes once you have been outside, as your clothes may carry some pollen. Keep the windows and doors shut in your house so that pollen can’t sneak in; also, if you have to dust your home, dust it with a damp cloth. If you take your dog on a walk, rinse them as they may be carrying pollen into your home. Lastly, taking antihistamines will help you get through your day.

Don’t do this

Do not cut grass unless necessary; this will start a disaster for you, and you will begin to feel symptoms almost instantly. Spending too much time outside will also worsen your symptoms as pollen is all around, especially on a hot day. This one may be tricky, but refrain from buying fresh flowers; you don’t want a pollen infestation inside your home. Try to dry your clean clothes inside so that pollen won’t migrate onto your clothes. Smoking can also worsen your symptoms of hay fever.

Hay fever is definitely on the rise, with more and more people being affected yearly. You don’t need to have suffered for years; the allergy can come anywhere. Follow the tips in this article to ease your symptoms and stock up on antihistamines; it could also be a wise idea to check the pollen count each morning so you know how severe your symptoms may be on a particular day.