Tips for reducing hay fever symptoms

One in five people in the UK is thought to
suffer from hay fever, and the bad news is there’s no cure for it
and you can’t prevent it

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But unlike the common cold which usually goes away after one to
two weeks, hay fever can stick around for weeks or months and
depending on the pollen forecast its intensity can vary.

Pollen season “typically starts in mid-March through to
September but can start as early as January and end as late as
November, separating into three main sections”, says ITV News.

Unfortunately for 20% of the UK that suffer from it, there’s
currently no cure for hay fever and it can’t be prevented.

There are however several things you can do to ease the symptoms
and many things to avoid doing to stop them getting worse when the
pollen count is high.

After you’ve been to your pharmacist or GP for advice on the
best treatments, such as antihistamine tablets, drops or sprays,
here are some other tips to try.

Wash wash and wash again

The key is to wash your hands often, according to the NHS
website. On high-pollen days, also make sure you shower and wash
your hair when you get home, since pollen is very good at
collecting on your skin, hair and clothes throughout the day. Do
also make sure to wash bed sheets weekly in hot water.

Avoid dairy, sugar and alcohol on bad days

Dairy products and sugary foods can exacerbate common hay fever
symptoms such as nasal congestion, because they increase the
production of mucus in the respiratory tract.

Alcohol should also be avoided as “beer, wine and spirits
contain histamine, the chemical that sets off allergy symptoms in
the body”, says the BBC.

But do eat pineapples and apples

Eating more pineapple, apples and marshmallow root can help
manage your symptoms.

That’s because certain foods have natural anti-histamine or
anti-inflammatory properties.

Holland & Barrett nutritionist Emily Rollason told The Sun: “Pineapples contain an enzyme called
bromelain that has natural anti-inflammatory properties and has
been traditionally used to aid with inflammation in the sinuses,
which can be linked to hay fever.”

“Some plant-based foods such as quinoa, onions, tomatoes, apples
and grapes are rich in a phytochemical called quercetin, which has
natural anti-histamine properties.”

Watch the clock

On a typical high-count day – dry, warm and sunny – at this time
of year, the first half of the morning and later in the afternoon
until late evening are the times to avoid being outside.

Beverley Adams-Groom, pollen expert and forecaster from the
University of Worcester, says pollen gets caught up in air currents
and rises up away from nose level during the day.

“When it’s very warm during the day, the pollen don’t come down
until the middle of the night, giving people a terrible night,” she
told the BBC.

Vaseline and sunglasses may hold the key

It may not look pretty but using vaseline in your nostrils and
wearing wrap-around sunglasses are a sure-fire way to stop the
pollen from getting to affected areas like your eyes and nose.

But don’t rub your eyes – it makes them puffier and spreads the
allergen which increases the problem and as soothing as it feels,
avoid putting water in your eyes – that just spreads the allergens
around the eye.