With the tree pollen season in full swing, soon the grass pollen will follow – many of you will have already begun to experience the associated hay fever symptoms. Whilst it is virtually impossible to avoid pollens completely, there are various simple, yet practical steps you can take in order to reduce your exposure, and as a result, your symptoms:
- Avoid being outside in the early morning and evening when the pollen counts are at their highest (unless it is raining)
- Sleep with your bedroom windows closed
- When in the car ensure the windows are shut. Consider investing in pollen filters if appropriate
- Wear sunglasses, preferably the wrap around type and use goggles when swimming in the sea or in the pool
- Pollen will be brought into the house on washing dried outside, so consider using a tumble drier for bedding during the pollen season
- Take note of the daily pollen forecast (www.pollenuk.co.uk). This website will also send you an email alert when counts are high
- Limit trips to rural areas. Sea breezes blow pollen inland, so escape to the seaside instead.
- Take off clothes before entering the bedroom to prevent outside allergens entering the area you sleep in
- Wash your hair before going to bed – pollen sticks to hair
- Apply Vaseline around the edge of each nostril – this can act as a barrier to trap pollens
- Use of a nasal douche such as Sterimar (available over the counter), may help to wash away pollens and irritants. This can be used just prior to nasal sprays to maximise their effect
- Start anti-histamines as soon as your hay fever symptoms begin. Medication comes in syrup or tablet form (Cetrizine, Loratidine, Neoclarityn – all available over the counter without a prescription) and can be taken every day (twice a day if required) for a whole hay fever season. Sedating antihistamines such as Piriton should be avoided
- Nasal sprays containing a small dose of steroid (eg: Nasonex, Avamys, Dymista) are very safe and effective. Ideally start using the nasal spray 1-2 weeks before symptoms usually start. This reduces the chances of inflammation in the nose/eyes developing in the first place and makes it easier to control
- Eye drops can be helpful if there are symptoms such as itching, watering or soreness. There are many different types; some need to be given twice (opatanol – requires prescription) and others four times a day (cromoglycate – over the counter)
- For hayfever that is troublesome, despite the suggestions above, it may be worth considering a more long term solution, such as Sublingual desensitisation (SLIT). This is a type of desensitisation treatment (also called immunotherapy), which is the only treatment which impacts directly on the underlying cause of an allergy to significantly reduce the symptoms. It is administered via a series of doses of an allergen extract which are placed under the patients tongue to induce ‘tolerance’ in the immune system to the allergen within the body and as a result, reduce the allergic symptoms. Treatment lasts for 6 months fo the year, for 3 years but has an effect that lasts for years beyond this. It’s a very safe and clinically proven, suitable from 5 years of age for patients who have hayfever that is still troublesome despite antihistamines and nasal sprays or those who wish to reduce their reliance on medication.
Key Pollen Dates
Tree pollens: Feb-June (depending on whether allergic to early or late flowering trees)
Grass pollens: May-July/August
Nettle/Weed pollens: August-September
*Check out www.pollenuk.co.uk for updated pollen forecasts
