Preparations for the Approach of the Hay Fever Season

As the hay fever season approaches it is time for those who suffer from it to start making their preparations. Whilst most people look upon the longer days and increasing amounts of sunshine as a great thing, for those who get hay fever symptoms it is tempered by the knowledge that their winter hiatus is coming to an end.

Hay fever (or intermittent allergic rhinitis) is caused by an allergy to pollen which gives a variety of symptoms, including sneezing, blocked or runny nose and itching eyes. One in four adults in the UK suffers from some form of hay fever.

Tree pollen can start as early as March in the northern hemisphere as the trees react to the warming effect of the onset of spring. Species such as hazel, yew and elm are among the earliest of the trees to start their reproductive cycle. The majority of people, however, are allergic to grass pollen, and the season for this is much later in the year, starting in May and continuing along to mid-August. When specialist tests are done for hay fever, it usually involves the identification of which types of allergens the patient is most sensitive to.

Here are some tips for those who suffer from this condition to prepare for the forthcoming season:

• Be prepared - make sure you have stocks of your hay fever remedies, including antihistamine tablets, eye drops, nasal sprays etc
• Remember that you have hay fever when planning holidays away - sea side locations may be better than camping in a forest or field
• If you suffer from secondary conditions, such as asthma, which might be triggered by hay fever make sure you have in date inhalers and carry them with you
• Make sure people around you know that you might need inhalers and where to find it in an emergency
• Remember to start checking the pollen count on television, websites or phone apps
• Use sunglasses when outside - particularly the wrap around kind - it reduces the amount of pollen that reaches your eyes
• When driving, keep the car windows shut - hay fever is a common reason for getting a car with air conditioning
• If you suffer badly, and it affects your quality of life through disruption of sleep or reduction in work productivity, consider an appointment with your doctor to get prescriptions or a referral for further treatment before it gets too bad