Hay fever

Summer doesn't just mean hot weather and outdoor fun - for many it means an onslaught of sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes - just some of the symptoms of hay fever.

Oh no, it's that time of the year again.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergy to pollen, which means the body reacts badly to its presence, resulting in irritation and inflammation of the nose and eye lining. The condition is also referred to as 'seasonal allergic rhinitis'. It affects over two million people in Britain a year and it is highly likely that more than one family member suffers from it.

What causes it?

Breathing pollen in or getting pollen in the eyes causes hay fever and this can happen anytime during spring and summer. There are different types of pollen and these are not all present at the same time, so the types you are allergic to will determine when symptoms will arise.

The pollen count is measured by sampling air for pollen grains, showing how the amount of pollen in the air varies from day to day. The pollen amount affects the severity of symptoms, so this information can be used to diagnose and time treatments. Hay fever tends to start in the early teens and symptoms usually dip from the late 20s to early 30s.

Symptoms

The main symptoms include sneezing, runny/blocked nose, watery or itchy eyes and itchy throat. These symptoms are worse during different periods of the day but this varies depending on the type of pollen a person is allergic to.

Prevention

Complete prevention is not easy but it is possible to protect yourself from symptoms. Here are some tips:

When pollen counts are high reduce outdoor activity;
Keep windows and doors shut at home and in the car;
Wear sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting into the eyes when you are outside;
Remove outdoor clothing outside of the bedroom to stop pollen being spread and shower at night to remove pollen;
During hay fever season wash pets regularly to remove pollen and keep them outside when possible;
Get rid of dust by hovering and cleaning regularly. Do not keep fresh flowers in the home;
Do not smoke and do not let others smoke in your home.

How to cope

There is a range of treatments to relieve symptoms:

Anti-histamine tablets - offer relief from sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and also congestion. Can be brought over the counter at a local pharmacy;
Nasal sprays and drops - reduce inflammation in the nose or stop an allergic reaction before it occurs. Similar products exist for the eyes. Can also be brought over the counter however some do require a prescription;
Injection - Only used in extreme cases by hospitals that work by desensitizing patients from allergic substance.