Watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itchy skin. That’s right, as lovely as this sunny weather is, it brings hay fever along with it - an allergy that affects 26 per cent of adults and between 10-15 per cent of children in the UK.
The allergic reaction is caused by pollen produced by trees and grasses, leading to inflammation of the lining of the nose.
Tree pollen counts are highest between late March and mid-May, but from now until September, it’s grass and weed pollen that will plague hay fever sufferers over the next few months.
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To those who suffer from hay fever and want to be prepared for the upcoming high pollen count, Boots Chief Pharmacist Marc Donovan has been sharing useful advice and tips to help manage these symptoms over summer.
He says that treatment for hay fever is based on two principles - avoiding exposure to pollen and decreasing histamine levels in the body by using medicines.
Here are his eight top hay fever hacks to help keep symptoms at bay:
Check the pollen forecast
The Met Office update their website daily with details of the pollen count so that hay fever sufferers can prepare themselves for low, moderate or high pollen counts.
Marc said: “When the pollen count is high, it’s likely allergies will be worse at this time. It’s therefore important to keep an eye on the Met Office website daily to monitor the pollen count so you can act fast if needed.”
Close windows
The second the sun comes out it can be tempting to throw open all the windows to let air circulate around the house, but those with an itchy throat and runny eyes due to allergies may want to avoid doing that.
Marc added: “If you are going out for the day or staying inside your home, ensure windows in your car and house are closed to minimise pollen exposure on days when the count is high.”
Know your timings
Pollen counts can vary throughout the day, and so you can plan your day accordingly.
“Around midday is a time where pollen count is usually at its lowest,” said Marc. “Take this opportunity to get outside for some fresh air. There are lots of other health benefits of getting outside for a walk or gentle exercise, too.”
Be mindful about transferring pollen
If you have been outside during the day, Marc recommends changing your clothes as soon as you come indoors, as well as having a shower and washing your hair to get rid of all the pollen as it’s ‘difficult to remove unless it’s wet’.
Apply petroleum jelly
This is an age-old hack that’s often forgot about until it’s too late - and it’s a fairly cheap one too. Marc said: “Apply a barrier balm of petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, around your nose to trap pollen.”
This stops it going up the nose and causing that inflammation that leads to further uncomfortable hay fever symptoms.
Consider buying an air purifier
This is a slightly pricier option, but for those who suffer extremely bad wit hay fever, it’ll be worth every penny.
“A purifier in the home is a great way to clean the air,” Marc advised. “And if you move it to the bedroom at night it can filter out allergens and pollutants such as dust and pollen from your bedroom.”
Find the products or medication that work for you
Hay fever medication isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and with so many products on the market, it can be difficult to know what to take. There are a range of hay fever relief products available – from tablets to nasal sprays – you can always speak to your pharmacist to find which products are suitable for you.
Marc suggested: “If over the counter remedies are not proving effective, speak to your GP or consider visiting our Boots Online Doctor, which offers a Hayfever Treatment service.”
Know the difference between COVID-19 and hay fever symptoms
Something shoppers have only really needed to think about in the last two years, but some of the symptoms of hay fever can be similar to Covid-19.
Marc explained: “Typical hay fever symptoms include sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy red watery eyes or an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include a high temperature and/or a new continuous cough.
“Sneezing is not a symptom of COVID-19, and it's rare to have itchy, watery eyes or an itchy throat, and hay fever doesn’t cause a high temperature. Ensure you’re clued up on the additional nine new COVID-19 symptoms to help you differentiate. You can find a full list of COVID-19 symptoms on the NHS website.”
For the first time, Boots are now stocking Allevia which contains 120mg fexofenadine, which is available over-the-counter without a prescription. They also have a selection of children-friendly hay fever treatments such as syrups and nasal sprays.
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