Help, I have a dose of the summer sneezes!

FOR people who suffer with hay fever, early summer or ‘the sneezing season’ can be the most uncomfortable time of the year!

Hay fever (also called seasonal allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction to pollen, the microscopic grains that plants release in spring and summer to reproduce.

While many plants rely on insects to transfer their pollen, others (such as grass and some trees) release it directly into the wind. It tends to be this wind-borne pollen that causes problems for people with allergies.

It is interesting to note that the cause of hay fever seems to be climate-dependent – in Ireland the main cause is grass pollen whereas in some parts of Spain pollen from olive trees is the main culprit!

The worst days in Ireland for hay fever sufferers are hot, sunny days with light winds and no rain. The heat and sunshine encourages plants to open their pollen sacs, the wind disperses the pollen and the lack of rain means that the pollen remains in the atmosphere longer. Morning rainfall will nearly always keep the pollen count down to low or moderate for the rest of the day.

When you have an allergic reaction, your body overreacts to something that it perceives as a threat. In this case, the allergen (the substance to which you are allergic) is pollen or spores. Your immune system (the body’s natural defence system) produces an antibody to attack the allergen.

Antibodies are produced by the body to neutralise or destroy disease-carrying organisms. If you have hay fever, your body produces an antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) when you come into contact with pollen. The production of IgE triggers the release of a number of other chemicals, including histamine, which cause symptoms such as watering eyes and a runny nose.

Measures can be taken to reduce exposure to pollen, such as avoiding cut grass, keeping windows and doors shut in the house and washing clothes regularly to remove pollen.

For many people these are not enough on their own. Fortunately, there is a wide range of medication available to treat hay fever including antihistamines, decongestants and steroids.

Antihistamines block the production of histamine in the body, thereby preventing the runny nose and itchy, watering eyes. Decongestants are effective at unblocking the nose, but if used continuously over a long period of time they can cause rebound congestion, which worsens symptoms and can be difficult to reverse.

Steroid nasal sprays are effective at controlling symptoms because their anti-inflammatory effects dampen down the allergic response. They are most effective if started a couple of weeks before symptoms begin, and work best when used regularly.