Combatting Hay Fever

Don't wait until summer ... now's the time to stop those streaming eyes
 

WHILST hay fever is not life-threatening, it can be most upsetting for sufferers. There are lots of studies that show young sufferers do worse at school. As well as that, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence of how people's sex lives and relationships can suffer because hay fever often makes them feel terrible.
Below are ways that may help relieve hay fever as it is NOW (mid-May) that sufferers should organise their treatment plan.
 
TRADITIONAL TREATMENT :
ANTIHISTAMINE tablets block the chemical that creates the allergy. They relieve sneezing, runny noses and eye irritation but will not sort out stuffy noses. Older pills can cause drowsiness but newer versions including Triludan, Pollon-eze and Zirtec are non-sedating.
    Sprays and drops are applied directly to the nose and eyes
    Anti-inflammatory steroids, Beconase and Rhinocort, are available on prescription. Synatris is sold at the chemist.

 

BEAT IT WITH FOOD :
SOME experts say symptoms can be reduced by avoiding foods from the same pollen family.
    Nutritionist Susannah Oliver, author of You Are What You Eat : Allergy Solutions, says if the cause is tree pollen – like alder, hazel, willow, birch. oak or pine – sufferers should avoid hazelnuts, celery, carrots, swedes, parsnips and potatoes.
    Dairy products and cereals such as wheat, barley, rye and oats, all members of the grass family, can also cause problems for people with allergies.

 

PREVENTION IS BETTER :
YOU can get a daily grass pollen count during the summer from most weather sections of newspapers and from TV or radio or at www.pollenforecast.co.uk. Stay indoors when the pollen count is high and keep windows closed. Take clothes off outside the bedroom to avoid transferring pollen to the bedclothes. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Visit the seaside where pollen counts are lower. Put vaseline around your nostrils and mouth to trap pollen.
    For daily pollen counts to be sent direct to your mibile phone, visit www.yahoo.co.uk/pollen-alert to register. If Yahoo has a site specific to your country, try replacing the .uk part of the previous address and hopefully you'll find info for your home.

 

TRYING AN ALTERNATIVE :
SOME people find relief from a spoonful of honey harvested from near where they live. The idea is that it helps the body to get used to pollen without attacking it. Vitamin C can be a natural antihistamine.
    Homeopathic remedies include euphrasia, pulsatilla and siliceaarsen alb. Some sufferers find acupuncture brings relief.
    Arometherapy helps too – use lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus in a hanky or in bathwater. Soothe eyes with used-teabags or cucumber slices.

 

The above remedies were found in the Sun newspaper on Friday 8 May, 2001, written by Martha Roberts.

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