Hay fever is the bane of life for many people over the summer as they try everything they can to ease their itching eyes, runny noses and headaches.
And it seems weather conditions in certain areas have made the condition even worse this year, with reports of a spike in hospital patients admitted with 'thunderstorm asthma'. During times of high humidity and strong winds, electrical charges in thunderstorms can rupture pollen grains into smaller particles, causing a 'pollen burst', reports The Mirror, and now there are claims of a high levels of airborne pollen causing a 'pollen bomb' in the UK.
So expert tips of how to help ease symptoms no doubt will be welcome news for hayfever sufferers - especially as one idea will cost just £1 or so and could prevent the need to take antihistamine tablets to ease symptoms. And experts at Bed Kingdom have shared a 'natural' way of 'trapping' the pollen, helping prevent a blocked nose and red eyes.
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A suggestion is to buy a pot of Vaseline and apply it around nostrils and under the eyes in the morning or at night which experts says can 'act as a barrier' and 'trap' the pollen, preventing it from entering your eyes and nose. Vaseline is available pretty cheaply from most stores as well as health shops and currently can be bought at Superdrug for £1.22, says The Mirror.
Alternatively, wearing sunglasses and a hair tie can help prevent pollen particles from gathering around the eyes and hair. Doctor Laura Lenihan, a GP based in Galway, told RSVP Live: "Putting Vaseline underneath your nose is a good one, as it can trap the pollen before it enters the nasal passages.
"Other things like wearing wraparound sunglasses can stop the pollen getting into your eyes and causing itchy, watery eyes. You should also avoid drying your clothes and bedsheets outside because they can pick up pollen."
Those who might not want to take antihistamine tablets can also try natural ways to ease hay fever symptoms, with Bed Kingdom experts recommending nettle tea, which contains antihistamines to settle sinus inflammation caused by hay fever. Another suggestion is eat pineapple which, as well as being high in vitamin C, contains bromelain, an enzyme that combats inflammation, swelling, and irritation caused by pollen.
And research also suggests quercetin, a powerful antioxidant, can help relieve inflammation and itchiness and boost the immune system, with quercetin-rich foods including onions, kale, broccoli, and skin-on fruits like tomatoes, blueberries, and apples.
