What Is Hay Fever?
Is It The Bane Of Your Summer?
It Doesn't Need To Be

So, what is hay fever? Basically put, it is an allergic reaction to pollen.

Pollen is a fine 'dust' that is part of a plant's reproduction process. It is released during the process. This is how it becomes airborne and is able to cause a problem for anyone with an allergy to it.

Not all pollen is the same. Some people have a reaction to one type but not to another.

Also different types of pollen affect people at different times of the year.

Pollen can come from

• Grass. The most common pollen allergy. The majority of people with hay fever find grass a problem. Your symptoms would be more severe from May to August


• Trees. There are a number of trees who's pollen can cause hay fever symptoms. These include
  
  
  • Ash
  • Cedar
  • Oak
  • Birch. Around a quarter of hay fever sufferers have an allergy to this pollen. Symptoms could be worse around April
  
  
• Weeds. Pollen from ragwort, nettles and dock can be an issue. Their pollen is more abundant in September and October

The spores of fungi could also make it worse.

If you suffer from hay fever all year round you could be allergic to pet dander, dust mites or moulds.

Pollen Count

The pollen count is measured by the number of pollen grains in one cubic metre of air, over 24 hours.

If you wanted to see a pollen count today, it is very likely, especially during hay fever season, to find one as part of a weather report.

In the UK the Met Office provides a pollen forecast. There is also a great site in the US, pollen.com, that gives information about the pollen levels in your area.

The count is normally talked about in 4 levels

• Low
• Moderate
• High
• Very High
  

If you see that the pollen count is going to be high in your area you can take some preventative measures. As well as taking some medication.

Hay Fever Symptoms

Pollen causes hay fever symptoms by getting into your nose, throat, mouth and ears. It irritates their lining, and that starts an allergic reaction.

The reaction starts because the body perceives the allergen as a threat. This causes the body to release a substance called histamine. Histamine causes the symptoms of hay fever.

These symptoms include

• watery eyes
• itchy eyes
• blocked or runny nose
• sneezing
• tickerly throat
• headache

Your doctor will look at your symptoms to work out if you are suffering from hay fever. It is normally quite easy to recognise.

If you are diagnosed with the condition, it will help if you know what is making it worse.

One way to find out which pollen/s you are allergic to, is to have a skin prick test. They can find out which allergens are causing your hay fever.

If you are unable to have a skin prick test, if for example you are taking an antihistamine, or you have severe eczema, then you may be given a RAST test. This will determine whether you definitely suffer from hay fever.

You can read more about allergy testing here

Once your diagnosis is definite, you can start to control your symptoms better.

Prevention Of Hay Fever

There are a few things that you can do for yourself to help improve it.

• In the months when the pollen count is at its worse, stay indoors as much as you can
• Try and keep your windows shut. Especially when the pollen count is high
• When you go out you could wear some wraparound glasses. These limit the amount of allergen that gets in your eyes
• After being outside wash your clothes and have a bath or shower. This will help remove a lot of the pollen. Limiting any damage it may do
• When in your car, keep the windows shut
• Avoid going to parks, or any other grassy areas. Especially when the count is high, and when the grass has been freshly cut
• Dab some Vaseline into the inside of your nostrils. Putting a little in the bottom of your nose will help prevent pollen entering through your nose
  
  

Although you may follow precautions to limit your hay fever, you will probably find that you will still need to use some sort of treatment.

What Is Hay Fever Treatment

There are a few different treatments that can be brought over the counter, or prescribed by your doctor.

• Antihistamine Tablets
• Nasal Sprays
• Steroid Tablets
• Eye drops

Antihistamine Tablets

Antihistamines are given because they fight the histamine that is released by your immune system to fight the allergen. The histamine produces the symptoms of your allergy. In the case of hay fever it could be runny eyes, runny nose or sneezing.

Antihistamines will help reduce hay fever symptoms. You can read more on antihistamines here.

You can take them when you first get the symptoms. And also when the pollen count is going to be high. This can help prevent it before it starts.

There are some antihistamines that may make you drowsy. If you take these avoid driving and using machinery.

Nasal Sprays

There are a few different nasal sprays that are available

• Antihistamine. These can be used when they are required. They work quite quickly. They can also help to reduce the chance of symptoms. Mainly any symptoms that affect your nose. If it is runny, itchy or if you suffer with sneezing. They don’t tend to help with congestion. A common one used is azelastine
  
• Decongestant. Mainly used to help with a blocked nose. Should not be used for a long period of time. Only use for up to 7 days. Any longer and they may cause congestion rebound. This is when the spray makes the symptoms of a blocked nose worse. So congestion worsens. You can buy them from a pharmacy. They can also be prescribed by your doctor. A common one used is xylometazoline
  
• Steroid. This type of spray is slower to work on symptoms. They are taken regularly over a period of time. It can take up to 3 weeks for them to work. So it is a good idea to start using them at least 3 weeks before the hay fever season starts. They work well on any symptoms that affect your nose and eyes. Good to use on severe symptoms. They can be used everyday to keep your hay fever away. Just always follow the instructions, to make sure you take the right dosage. You can get some brands at your local pharmacy, or get them on prescription.

Steroid Tablets

These are used if you need some quick relief from your hay fever. For example, if you have an important event coming up, like a wedding.

You would unlikely be prescribed corticosteroid tablets for longer than 10 days. Taking for longer than that may increase your chances of suffering from side effects.

You can use nasal sprays alongside them.

You can read more about oral steroids here

Eye Drops

Eye drops are used to treat the symptoms of hay fever that affect your eyes.

There are two main types used

• Antihistamine eye drops
• Cromoglicate eye drops
  
  

They will help with itchy, watery and red eyes. Bringing quick relief. They can be used alongside antihistamine tablets and nasal sprays.

You can buy some from the pharmacy, and some are available on prescription only.

Different treatments can be used together. This helps, as between them they can help with all the symptoms of your hay fever.

If you find that the above treatments are not successful in relieving your symptoms there is another option, immunotherapy treatment.

Immunotherapy

This type of treatment is carried out at a hospital or a special centre.

Sometimes referred to as the hay fever injection.

It involves injecting small amounts of substances, you have an allergy to, into your body.

You are then monitored for around an hour. This is to look at how you react to it. And to make sure that there are no serious side effects, like anaphylactic shock.

The treatment allows your body to get used to the allergen. To build up a tolerance. This means that your body wont produce as much antihistamine. So your hay fever symptoms would not be as severe.

Having hay fever can affect your daily life. Whether you are school, at work or at home, it can have a negative impact on your life.

If you make your environment as hay fever friendly as possible, and use the right medications regularly, you should be able to limit the impact it has.

Return From What Is Hay Fever to Atopic Disease

Return From What Is Hay Fever to What Is Eczema