- Combining a steroid nasal spray or nose drops with anti-histamine tablets works best for most people. Start treatment early and use it regularly, even on low pollen days.
- Take allergy medicine when you travel, as hayfever seasons vary from country to country. Olive pollen can be a problem in the Mediterranean, while ragweed affects many travellers to the US.
- Some hayfever sufferers develop pollen food syndrome, reacting to sertain fruits and vegetables with an itchy mouth, scratchy throat and swollen tongue. Birch pollen allergy (where symptoms start in spring) is linked with allergies to apples, cherries, peaches, pears, tomatoes,carrots or celery. Grass pollen sufferers (symptoms start in May) may react to melon, tomatoes, oranges or wheat.
- Avoid situations where pollen levels are high (such as freshly cut grass), make sure doors and windows are shut on high pollen days and close card windows and vents.
- Avoid pollution and tobacco smoke, which can irritate the nose and airways and make you more susceptible to allergens.
- Wear sunglasses to keep pollen out of the eyes.
- Stay inside, if possible, during high pollen times - early morning and late afternoon and evening.
- Have a shower before bed to remove pollen from skin and hair.
- Don't hang washing outside, as pollen can get trapped in the fibres.
- Smear Vaseline around the base of each nostril as a barrier to pollen.
Friday, 2 May 2014
Hayfever Advice
The number of sufferers has risen fourfold in the past 50 years, while climate change means the hayfever season is lasting longer too. So here's what you need to know.
