STAYING ONE STEP AHEAD OF HAYFEVER

With warmer weather and longer days upon us at last, unfortunately it’s not just spring that’s in the air – there’s pollen, too. Catherine Eddie looks at how to beat hayfever

F or many, the warmer weather and easing of restrictions will come as welcome relief. But if you’re one of the millions of people in the UK affected by hayfever – the NHS estimates around one-fifth of the UK population is, rising to 37% of UK teenagers – you’re probably only too aware that hayfever season is already in full swing.

An allergic reaction such as hayfever can be explained as an excessive reaction to a normally harmless substance. The immune system identifies the harmless substance, in this instance pollen, as dangerous, and produces an antibody called IGE, which triggers the production of histamine.

Histamine is an inflammatory chemical that causes an array of unpleasant symptoms, including running nose and eyes, itching and burning in localised areas such as in the throat, nose and eyes, puffiness, swelling and mucus formation. Altogether, not much fun.

Tree pollen occurs first, typically from late March until mid May, and affects around 25% of the population. But if the weather is unseasonably warm, allergen-spewing trees, such as alder and hazel, have been known to wreak havoc long before the usual start of the spring hayfever season, and experts predict willow and birch will soon follow suit.

Grass pollen is by far the biggest trigger, affecting up to 95% of hayfever sufferers, and tends to start from mid May, lasting until the end of July, which is when grasses and flowers come into bloom. Weed pollen can be released at any time, but the season typically covers the end of June until September.

Added to the staggered nature of the season, where you live will also determine when you’re likely to be affected. Generally, there’s a later start and shorter season in the north of the country, where there tends to be less pollen. Urban areas also have lower counts than the countryside, but arguably other airborne irritants to contend with.

Pollen pretty much has its bases covered from February to September, but, if you are prone to hayfever, there are a number of measures you can take to stay one step ahead.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Keep your body as free from toxins as possible by avoiding junk and eating wholefoods. Keep your caffeine and alcohol intake low and avoid nicotine.

If you live in a polluted area, or work with chemicals or in traffic-ridden areas, regular detoxes to keep your system clear will help. Simple steps such as drinking plenty of water and keeping your bowel moving daily will reduce the toxic load on your system.

Avoid dairy foods as they cause mucus formation that can exacerbate hayfever symptoms and keep your intake of refined sugar low.

If you have any type of allergy, hayfever included, you’re more likely to have wobbly blood sugar and be sensitive to refined sugar. Sugar can trigger surges and drops in blood sugar levels that cause adrenalin production to kick in, which involves the production of histamine – just what you don’t want.

Plant remedies can also help. Echinacea purpurea taken twice daily can help improve your body’s ability to identify harmful substances correctly. This will not only reduce your allergic reaction to the trigger substance, but also improve your resistance to colds. Ideally you would think about taking echinacea about two months before your known hayfever time, but it may still prove helpful even after symptoms have set in.

Approximately two weeks before your usual symptoms kick in, start taking Luffa operculata twice daily. Luffa helps to combat sneezing, blocked and runny noses. A yellow tropical plant, it is usually teamed with Galphimia glauca, which can be especially useful for reducing irritation of the eyes. Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets from A Vogel contain seven tropical herbs, including Luffa operculata and Galphimia glauca, to help with allergy to grass and tree pollen. They are non-drowsy and so will not affect your ability to drive or use machinery. A nasal spray is also available for immediate relief.

If your eyes are particularly sensitive to hayfever, Euphrasia eye drops can help to soothe and maintain lubrication of the eyes.

AVOID DAIRY FOODS AS THEY CAUSE MUCUS FORMATION THAT CAN EXACERBATE HAYFEVER SYMPTOMS, AND KEEP YOUR INTAKE OF REFINED SUGAR LOW

TREAT YOURSELF TO HONEY

A bit of detective work will also help you to outsmart your pollen-shaped foe – check prevailing winds and pollen counts and remember that wind-dried clothes can become pollen catchers.

Try to limit outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts tend to peak (between 5am and 10am), and if you have been out when the pollen count is high, get undressed in the bathroom, not the bedroom, so as to reduce the risk of bedtime sneezing.

Finally, treat yourself to a pot of local honey. It’s not a solution that works for everyone but many people swear by it, the theory being that the pollen that is naturally present has a desensitising effect.

ATISHOO!: Grass pollen affects up to 95% of hayfever sufferers and starts in mid May, lasting until the end of July, which is when grasses and flowers come into bloom.

Weed pollen can be released at any time, but the season typically covers the end of June until September.