Hay fever and work
Hay fever impinges on every area of your life, and that includes your working day. Those who find it a particular hardship are often in the following groups:
• People in the public eye, whose constant sneezing, eye-watering and nose-blowing make it difficult for them to interact effectively with other people. This group includes receptionists, shop assistants, publicans, teachers, actors, managers, doctors and nurses.
• People in leadership roles such as company directors and chief executives, who could perhaps feel that their authority was being undermined by constant sneezing and nose-wiping.
• People who are required to make vital decisions. Feeling tired, irritable and having the constant distraction of nose, eye and throat-related symptoms can make it difficult to balance the pros and cons of a problem and ultimately come to the best conclusion, or even worse, can make a wrong decision appear right until circumstances prove the opposite.
• People who drive for a living, or who need to drive in the course of their work. As hay fever can cause tiredness, distraction and poor judgement, it may actually be dangerous for a person with hay fever to be in charge of a motor vehicle.
• People who need to use their hands for their work. This group includes individuals employed in the construction industry, machine operatives, craftspeople, hairdressers, keyboard operators, gardeners, tele-sales staff, physiotherapists and musicians.
In order to function safely and effectively, people in these types of occupations need to take steps to control their symptoms. If, realistically, this requires a visit to your doctor, don’t hesitate to go.