“Why is my hay fever bad this year and why do some people suffer from hay fever full stop”?
There are many reasons why people may be finding their symptoms are worse this year than before. The current global COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of anxiety and we know that new stresses can worsen symptoms. Alongside stress, environmental and lifestyle choices can also irritate pre-existing hay fever.
Hay fever is extremely common in the UK affecting 1 in 4 people. Approximately 9 out 10 people with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen which can cause a flare in symptoms from this month onwards. There is a peak in hay fever symptoms typically in early spring to summer when pollen counts are at their highest levels. For some people however they are allergic to both grass and tree pollen meaning they experience hay fever symptoms for many months of the year.
What is hay fever?
Hay fever is also called allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies. Symptoms can be seasonal and perennial (year-long) or occupational (related to a person’s work).
Symptoms typically include any of the following:
Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Sneezing
Post-nasal drip
Watery, red or itchy eyes
Coughing
Tickly throat or roof of the mouth
Itchy nose
Sinus pressure and pain
Itchy skin
What causes it?
The exact reason why some people suffer from hay fever and others don’t is not exactly known but is thought to have an underlying genetic component. We know that likelihood of having hay fever is increased if someone in your family has the condition.
A person’s symptoms are usually triggered when they come into contact with what we call an allergen. This is a substance that causes an abnormal allergic reaction resulting in the classic hay fever-type symptoms.
A sensitive person’s immune system when it comes in contact with an allergen will recognise it as a foreign and produce an antibody called IgE. IgE is then released and binds to the surface of mast cells causing the immediate and delayed release of various inflammatory mediators causing a person to develop the classic hay fever symptoms.
What even is pollen?
For many hay fever sufferers the misery caused by pollen is all too familiar but what exactly is pollen and how does it cause hay fever?
So, pollen is released by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. It is a powdery substance which consists of pollen grains which are the male part of seed plants. It essentially serves to pollinate the female part of plants
Seasonal symptoms
This can be caused by the following:
Plant pollination:
Grass: mid-May to July
Tree: mid-March to mid-May
Weed: late-June to October
The above seasons can provide a rough guide as to what may be causing your symptoms. It is worth noting that pollen allergies can be worse on hot, dry days when circulating winds are able to carry more pollen through the air.
Symptoms all year round?
Persistent yearly symptoms are often caused by allergens often present inside our homes and work-place and commonly include:
Dust mite
Pet dander
Mould and fungal spores
Cockroaches
Whilst these symptoms tend to be present all year round the severity can vary with a seasonal element. Mould spores for example tend to be more prevalent in warmer and more humid weather.
Tips: how to treat your hay fever?
Here are some useful recommended tips on how to reduce your symptoms during these troublesome few months!
Apply Vaseline around your nose to trap pollen
Wrap-around sunglasses can minimise contact to allergens
Shower and wash your clothes after coming in from outdoors to rinse off any pollen
Stay indoors whenever possible
Keep windows and doors shut if possible
Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
Buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a special HEPA filter
When to seek help?
Speak to your pharmacist if you’re having hay fever symptoms as there are an array of medications available over the counter these include: antihistamine drops, tablets and sprays all of which can be bought without a prescription from your local pharmacy.
If your symptoms do not improve or get worse despite these medications then please see your own GP for further advice and treatment.
For more info
I would recommend checking out:
www.entuk.org/hayfever
www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/
www.allergyuk.org