Why Hay Fever doesn’t just occur when the sun is shining

Experiencing hay fever is a difficulty for many people across the UK. It can cause a lot of inconvenience during the summer months and cause people to stay inside. But does it only occur in the summer? Not always, and that is due to the causes of the symptoms. Hay Fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. It can be triggered by grass, trees, plants and sometimes mould. The allergic reaction typically occurs during the summer months because trees and plants create more pollen during this time. So when does hay fever occur? Here’s a little more about when symptoms may present themselves and what steps you can take to manage the symptoms.

Symptoms of Hay Fever

There are some common symptoms of the reaction that many people across the country experience. These symptoms include a runny nose, congestion, itchy eyes, itchy nose, postnasal drip, and swelling under the eyes.

The four stages of Hay Fever

There are a few stages of hay fever which can help you to prepare for the reaction.

1. Exposure: The first stage is being exposed to pollen. You are unlikely to experience symptoms straight away in this stage.
2. Early-Phase Response: This is where histamines become present in response to the allergen. Symptoms may start to begin in this stage.
3. Inflammation: In this stage, you start to become irritated in response to the allergen. In this stage, you will become inflamed and irritated.
4. Late-Phase Response: This is the last stage of Hay Fever. Inflammation causes the production of more histamines in the body; you will experience worsened symptoms during this stage.

Can the weather affect your symptoms?

When does hay fever occur? You may think Hay Fever only occurs when the sun shines outside, but this isn’t always true. Yes, the pollen count outside is higher when it is sunny because pollen thrives when it’s warm and bright, and pollen rises in heat. However, did you know that pollen is still present during stormy weather? If a rain shower is accompanied by stormy weather, there can be a rise in pollen. This is due to a higher humidity outside. Humidity and moisture can cause the allergen to break down, which causes a rise in pollen.

When does hay fever occur?

It’s also possible to experience Hay Fever symptoms during cloudy weather. This is tricky because pollen count is usually low on a cloudy day, but pollen begins to build on plants during this type of weather, making the next day more difficult for sufferers. Let’s not forget that wind can have an effect on the pollen count. Mild winds are unlikely to affect the pollen count, but stronger winds can take pollen from one place to another, spreading it far, making it more difficult for people with allergies.

How to treat the symptoms

The allergic reaction can ruin summer for many people across the country. So, how do you treat it so that you can enjoy being outside? Antihistamines can prevent Hay Fever. This is because they block the chemical reaction of histamines. It’s best to take one each day to ease your symptoms. Nasal sprays are also good for aiding Hay Fever.

How do I stop hay fever from occurring?

Nasal sprays block the pollen in your nose from entering your body, and they can do this within a few minutes. Lastly, it’s recommended to decrease your exposure to the allergen. Try to spend less time in areas that are likely to have a high pollen count, e.g. fields, the park, garden centres etc. If this isn’t possible for you, make sure to remove your clothes as soon as you get home and put them in the wash to get rid of any pollen that might be clinging to you.

Follow the above steps with UK Food Intolerance

To try and avoid hay fever symptoms, read the above article and follow the steps laid out by UK Food Intolerance. Remember, hay fever is an allergy, not an intolerance, so we can only advise whilst we don’t test for it. A doctor or medical professional should be able to help you identify whether or not you are suffering from hay fever. Knowing when hay fever might occur, you can be well-equipped to deal with the consequences and symptoms.