Hay, it’s worth trying...
From nettles to sunglasses, odd ways to beat pollen hell
Applying a small amount of petroleum jelly or other “nasal barrier balms” (available from pharmacies) inside your nostrils first thing in the morning, and again last thing at night, can help trap pollen before it gets chance to enter your nose and airways. While it might be relaxing to have your favourite furry friend to snuggle up to at night, pet fur can attract and hold large amounts of pollen, dust and other allergens, triggering night-time sneezes and other symptoms.
A raft of innovative new home gadgets that use nostril prongs to fire red lightwaves directly into your nasal passages are becoming popular as a drug-free way to treat the condition. They are painless and only need to be used for a few minutes a day to work.
The light is thought to act on the lining of the nose, reducing the production of histamine (the chemical released during an allergic reaction that causes the sneezy and itching) and soothing inflammation. Try Lloydspharmacy Allergy Reliever. “Turmeric, garlic, chilli and many other spices are packed with natural compounds that have an anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine effect in the body,” says nutritionist Linda Foster. “So eating more of these spicy foods could boost your immune system and counter some of the nasty symptoms experienced during the season.”
One Swiss study found that sufferers reported fewer symptoms after they were taught hypnotherapy and self-relaxation techniques. To get started: Close your eyes, take deep breaths, counting in for five
If you’re a smoker, did you know studies show that every cigarette smoked could worsen hay fever symptoms? This is because smoke is an irritant that will further inflame the lining of your nose, eyes, throat and airways. So if you need one more health reason to quit smoking, think about how much it could ease your symptoms this summer. You might feel silly wearing them on an overcast day or in the house when the windows are open. But if you are severely sensitive to high pollen counts, you want to make sure none enters your eyes if possible. Once eyes do become itchy, you rub them and they become more irritated and a vicious cycle is created.