There are three types of pollen that people are allergic to – tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen. They produce light, fine pollen which is carried from one plant to another by the wind. It may seem that you can get hay fever later in the year than you thought and this comes down to the type of pollen you’re allergic to.
Hay fever season:
TREE POLLEN: LATE MARCH – MID-MAY GRASS POLLEN: MID-MAY – JULY
WEED POLLEN: LATE JUNE – SEPTEMBER
Finding Relief from Hay Fever:
This can sometimes feel like an impossible task! But there are some effective ways to help reduce the impact pollen has, for example change your clothes when you get inside. Pollen can stick to your clothes, so this might explain why you’re still sneezing after you get home.
Also, washing your clothes will get rid of pollen, but drying them outside could result in new pollen sticking to them. So if you can, dry your clothes inside.
When you are out and about there are still ways to reduce your risk of hay fever. Wearing a pair of sunglasses can help shield your eyes, if itchy eyes are one of your hay fever symptoms. Additionally, put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen and while at home vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth.
If you start each day with a cup of tea, there are some options here that could help you manage your hay fever. Teas such as chamomile or nettle tea have antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Indeed, there are some foods that encourage your body to release histamine and make your hay fever worse, for example cheese, nuts and cured and smoked meat. So it is best to avoid these, especially if you know they make your symptoms worse.
Choosing An Effective Treatment:
Ultimately, you will want something that will give quick and more immediate relief from your hay fever and most commonly, people reach for medication. Antihistamines are the most common treatment and you can take them during the hay fever season to stop symptoms before they start.
If you’re suffering from a blocked nose, you may be able to get a nasal spray – but make sure to choose the correct spray for you. For those sufferers whose eyes are affected more, eye drops can help. They contain antihistamines and can provide relief from itchy eyes, redness and watering.
