The days of runny noses and watery eyes are upon us.
So if you’re one of the tens of millions of people in the UK suffering from hay fever, you might be looking for tips to get you through the coming months.
Well, MailOnline has you covered.
Despite the city’s lack of open green space, the combination of pollution and pollen can make it worse for hay fever sufferers, experts say
Avoid dirty roads
It may sound strange, but according to experts, your hay fever flare-ups could flare up worse on polluted roads.
Despite the city’s lack of open, grassy fields, the staggering combination of pollution and pollen — a fine powder released by plants for reproduction — can prove a nightmare for sufferers.
“It’s worse in cities because there’s a combination of pollination and diesel exhaust particles that carry the pollen grains deeper into the airways, which can be more allergenic,” says Dr. Adrian Morris, a specialist from Surrey Allergy Clinic.
He added: “The combination of traffic and pollen is bad.
“So you’re probably worse off in the city than you are in the country, where of course you would think it would be worse.”
Stay indoors at these times
The pollen load can also be higher and lower at different times of the day.
Peak levels usually occur in the late morning when pollen particles rise high in the atmosphere with the warming air.
Slowly, throughout the day and early evening, they tend to drop back to nose level.
So avoid going outside at these times of the day.
A hay fever sufferer’s worst nightmare occurs when high pollen counts combine with wet weather and subsequent sun, especially in a polluted area, as this can result in a ‘pollen bomb’.
dr Morris said: “It’s a combination of factors that make the pollen count incredibly high.
“Maybe it rained recently and it’s a really warm day and the grass pollinates in the morning and those pollen grains then go up in the air.”
He added, “Then when it comes down in the evening, when that peak coincides with weather conditions conducive to pollination of the grasses, you get this massive pollen rush, which they call a ‘pollen bomb’.”
Close the window
Opening windows to let in a breeze may be preferred on a spring day.
But closing house and car windows can help reduce hay fever symptoms by reducing the amount of pollen that is inhaled, says Manchester-based pharmacist Thorrun Govind.
dr Morris said: “If you’re driving in your car, you should have the windows closed.
“Turn on the air conditioning, because most modern cars have a pollen filter in the air conditioning.
“Close windows around 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the day to prevent peak pollen from coming through your window.”
To ensure the amount of pollen in your home is kept to a minimum, regular vacuuming is also a good idea, experts say.
Protecting your eyes from pollen can also relieve symptoms, pharmacists say.
“A basic but simple piece of advice worth following is to wear glasses or sunglasses during the months when your hay fever is affecting you the most,” says Rizwan Ali, a pharmacist at Rowlands Pharmacy in Hale, Greater Manchester.
change your clothes
Instead of just circulating in the air, pollen can also cling to clothing and hair.
And staying in clothes worn outdoors will make the runny nose and itching worse.
Ms Govind suggests showering and changing after you’ve been outside to wash off pollen.
Hanging clothes out to dry can also trigger hay fever.
dr Morris said: “If you hang your laundry outside during the day, all the pollen can collect on your laundry and bedding.
“Then go to bed that night and have a large dose of pollen from what has been collected during the day.”
Mr Ali warned that even hair can act as a pollen magnet.
But those with long locks can manage this by tying it up or wearing a hat when exposed to the elements.
Rubbing petroleum jelly around your nostrils is a good way to protect yourself from pollen. It helps create a barrier and “capture” the pollen before you breathe it in
Put petroleum jelly around your nostrils
Reusable petroleum jelly can help fight fever.
Rubbing around the nostrils creates a barrier and “captures” pollen before you can breathe it in, according to Ms Govind.
dr Morris said: “Take a cotton swab and dip it in some petroleum jelly and just wipe it around the edge of your nose.
“That can actually trap some of the pollen grains as they get into your nose.”
Mr Ali advises reapplying it around the nostrils in the morning, day and night – which can help hay fever sufferers sleep better.
This is because the gel can simultaneously soothe dry and itchy skin irritated by a constantly runny nose, while also blocking pollen, experts say.
What causes hay fever and what are the symptoms?
Hay fever affects millions of people. It’s an allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with the mouth, nose, eyes, and throat.
Hay fever symptoms are worse between March and September, when pollen counts are at their highest.
The graphic explains how pollen can give you an allergic reaction such as sneezing and coughing
What are the symptoms?
- Unlike a cold, which only lasts a week or two, hay fever lasts for months
- sneezing and coughing
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- loss of smell
- feel tired
- Headache
- earache
Source: NHS
Do not smoke
Smoking not only increases your risk of cancer, lung disease, and heart attacks, but it can also make your hay fever symptoms worse.
“Don’t smoke or be around smoke as it makes your symptoms worse,” advises Ms. Govind.
This is because the chemicals in cigarettes and the smoke they give off can irritate the lining of your nose, mouth and lungs.
Experts say this makes symptoms like coughing and a sore throat worse.
“Removing smoke from the air we breathe reduces inflammation in the nose and throat, makes breathing easier and reduces the severity of allergy symptoms,” said Tyler Woodward, CEO of Eden’s Gate.
Take antihistamines
Taking antihistamines is also a common way to prepare for the hay fever season.
dr Morris said: “If you see the pollen count starting to go up, you can take antihistamines.
“They work much better if you can take them before the event instead of chasing after the symptoms.”
Antihistamines work by blocking the action of histamine — a chemical released by the body when it detects something harmful, such as an infection.
It causes blood vessels to dilate and skin to swell, which helps protect the body.
But in people with hay fever, the body mistakes pollen for a threat and produces histamine — leading to itchy, watery eyes, a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing and skin rashes.
Antihistamines help stop this reaction if taken before exposure to pollen, or reduce the severity of symptoms if taken afterwards.
However, some people experience side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision when taking the drug.
However, pharmacists insist that newer drugs are less likely to cause unwanted side effects.
Ms Govind said: “There are still potential side effects for second-generation antihistamines, such as drowsiness.
“However, the likelihood of this occurring is much lower than with first-generation antihistamines, and most will not experience it.”
Mr Ali warned that the severity of hay fever symptoms can change from year to year and advised those affected to speak to their pharmacist.
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