Allergy aids that are not to be sneezed at

... and the ones that aren’t all they’re cracked up to be

RUNNY nose, streaming eyes and a tight chest: the tell-tale signs of allergies affect millions, especially at this time of year. the charity Allergy UK estimates that nationwide, 18 million people suffer from hay fever — an allergy to pollen — alone.

Allergic reactions can be triggered by anything from dust mites to pet hair. But can you do anything to prevent the symptoms?

We asked Mike Papesch, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at NHS Whipps Cross University Hospital and Highgate Hospital in London, to assess some of the latest anti-allergy products, which we then rated.

RED-LIGHT NOSE EGG

Kinetik Allergy Reliever, £19.99, kinetikwellbeing.com

HOW IT WORKS: intended to help relieve nasal symptoms, this is a battery-powered device the size of an egg that you wear around your neck. two plastic probes, which go up each nostril and emit red light, are attached to thin wires which plug into the device. the wavelengths of the red light increase blood circulation and stop cells in the nose releasing histamine, one of the main triggers for allergic symptoms.

the device turns off automatically after three minutes. You use it a recommended three or four times a day, for three minutes each time.

EXPERT VERDICT: i’d never heard of this treatment but some studies seem to show a benefit from red light therapy. One published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & immunology found that it can stabilise the cells in the nose responsible for releasing chemicals that trigger nasal symptoms. if intended to prevent hay fever, it should be used before the season starts. As it is drug-free, it could be used to treat rhinitis (nasal allergy symptoms) in pregnancy. 6/10

AIR PURIFIER

Meaco Clean Ca-HEPA 47x5, £149.99, meaco.com HOW IT WORKS: An air purifier containing various filters said to remove allergens from the air. One filter removes dust, another deals with particles such as dust mites and pollen. A charcoal filter eliminates smells given off by paint, for example, and an ultra-violet light and chemical process kills bugs and bacteria. Finally, an ioniser is said to encourage dust particles to stick together and fall to the ground or into the air purifier. EXPERT VERDICT: Air filters are an important part of managing allergy to airborne allergens, particularly house dust mites. they reduce but don’t completely eliminate allergens from the air. People with severe symptoms may find air filters of significant value, particularly if used in the bedroom or office ( where people tend to spend most of their time).

to select the correct one, you need to know what you’re allergic to and the cubic air volume of the room you want to clean. this would be calculated from the height, width and depth of the room in metres. this device can clean a room of 47 cubic metres five times an hour. People often buy one too small for the room. 9/10

NO MITES PILLOW

Sealy Health Plus Pillow, £14.99 (twin pack), sealy.co.uk

HOW IT WORKS: the materials used in this pillow are tightly woven (to stop mites coming through) and sprayed with a non- toxic chemical that destroys the food chain of the dust mites that can cause allergic reactions. Mites live on dead human skin, which is broken down by a fungus that grows in a typical warm bedroom. the chemical kills the fungus. EXPERT VERDICT: House dust mite allergy is associated with asthma, eczema and perennial allergic rhinitis. Mites are in carpets, soft furnishings and clothing, but we are mostly exposed to them in bed, where skin flakes off us, providing the mites with food.

One study showed that bedding using plastic and tightly woven pillow covers like this blocked more than 99 per cent of the movement of allergens through the fabric. it is unclear how beneficial the chemical spray is. 6/10

BARRIER SPRAY

Boots Allergy Barrier nasal spray, 800mg bottle, £6.75, Boots HOW IT WORKS: A powder spray made of cellulose and peppermint powder that you fire up your nostrils, where it forms a gel-like layer. this, says the manufacturer, acts like a barrier to stop airborne allergens reacting with cells in the nose and causing sneezing. to be used at least three times a day. EXPERT VERDICT: there is good evidence to support the use of cellulose powder products. Cellulose is the main constituent of plant cell walls — the powder meets the moisture in the nasal tract to form a protective gel-like barrier that traps allergens, which are then transported to the back of the nose, swallowed and destroyed in the stomach.

these products have no sideeffects, which is an advantage, as even non-sedating antihistamines make some people sleepy. the spray doesn’t help with eye or chest symptoms, though. 7/10

BEESWAX BALM

HayMax Kids £6.99, haymax.biz HOW IT WORKS: this balm is applied below the nostrils and around the eyes to trap pollen and any other allergens before they enter the body. it is made from beeswax and seed oils, which the allergens stick to. EXPERT VERDICT: A balm like this is not a total solution, but may be useful alongside other approaches to managing allergies. 4/10

MOPS AND VACS

Philips Power Pro Aqua, £240, philips.co.uk HOW IT WORKS: A vacuum cleaner that does wet ‘mop’ cleaning too. the maker claims tests have shown it can manage the level of allergens in the home and suck up 90 per cent of pet hair, dust, bacteria and pollen. EXPERT VERDICT: Vacuuming regularly with a high filtration vacuum cleaner is a good idea. the fact that this one also wipes floors is a bonus.

You should vacuum and mop at least once a week if you suffer with allergies. However, a hightemperature steam cleaner kills mites more effectively. Whether this is better than other vacuum cleaners on the market, i couldn’t say. 7/10 DUST-FREE DUVET

Slumberdown Fresh and Healthy 10.5 Tog Double Duvet, £24.99, Argos and slumberdown. co.uk HOW IT WORKS: the synthetic filling is coated with an ‘ antiallergy’ finish. the chemical in this finish kills the fungi that normally break down the dead human skin in the bed which dust mites feast on. this deprives the mites of food and, so the maker claims, results in a dust mite-free duvet.

EXPERT VERDICT: this duvet has received the Allergy UK seal of approval, which means it has been lab tested. even if your bedding doesn’t have this type of approval, you can always put allergen-proof covers on pillows, duvets and mattresses. regularly washing bedding at 60c can kill mites, too. this duvet seems good value for money, though. 8/10

EYE PROTECTION

Hycosan Dual 7.5ml bottle, £14.99, Boots HOW IT WORKS: these eye drops contain no preservatives (but remain sterile for six months after opening) and can be used by contact lens wearers too. the solution contains sodium hyaluronate and ecotin, which create a protective barrier across the eye surface to stop eyes being irritated by allergens. Can be used as often as necessary but the maker suggests that if you need it more than five times a day, you should see an eye specialist as it may indicate a problem. EXPERT VERDICT: this might stop your eyes streaming but you will need another product for symptoms relating to your nose or chest. Just wearing wraparound sunglasses during the hay fever season stops some pollen reaching your eyes. 4/10

SUPER FAN

Dyson Pure Cool Link Purifying Desk Fan, £349.99, John Lewis

HOW IT WORKS: Keeps you cool by circulating air that has also been cleaned. Air in the room is drawn into the fine mesh filter at its base that can trap the smallest particles. (its manufacturer says it can remove 99.95 per cent of allergens.) the air is then shot back into the room at high speed. EXPERT VERDICT: this does the same job as an air filter, and keeps the room cool. As it also moves air around, it may reduce any damp that can encourage moulds and mites. Like all air filters, it only works if the room isn’t too large for it.

devices like this are only part of the way to control allergens, as they aren’t just present in the air but in carpets and bedding, too. But this is a useful addition. 5/10