Hay Fever Site

Many people with hay fever are able successfully to treat themselves at home without medication, usually by using a combination of tech­niques. The obvious way to eliminate symptoms is to avoid the substance that is causing the problem, which is, unfortunately, easier said than done. Moreover, the exact allergens responsible are not always apparent. Even allergy specialists are sometimes unable to determine the exact cul­prits, in which case self-treatment can be an invaluable aid.

To reduce or even prevent inflammation of the tissues affected in hay fever, there are plenty of things you can do. Here are some basic recommendations:

• Stay indoors when the outdoor pollen count is at its highest, in the morning and evening – particularly between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. if you live in or near the countryside and a couple of hours later if you live in an urban area. The peak pollen time is not the hottest part of the day but later on, when airborne pollen starts to fall towards the ground.

• If you live or work on a high floor in a tall block of flats or offices, ensure that the windows are closed in the middle of the day. Pollen rises in the atmosphere and is more likely to enter through high windows earlier in the day than it would in a lower building.

• When indoors, keep all doors and windows closed during the evening and night at high pollen times. If the weather is hot, use an air-conditioning system if possible, or if you don’t have this, draw the curtains before the sun gets too hot, to block out the heat and keep the temperature down.

• If you must spend time outdoors, consider wearing a mask that is designed to filter out pollen.

• Unless you are wearing a pollen mask, don’t cycle or walk through areas you know set off your symptoms, such as fields, parks, woods and large grassy areas. Instead, use a contained means of transport, such as a car, a bus or even a train.

• If you have to be anywhere near long grass and trees, consider wear­ing a mask and either prescription spectacles if you have them, green-tinted glasses, wraparound sunglasses or goggles. It is better to look a little silly than suffer the misery of hay fever symptoms.

• To soothe a sore throat, gargle with warm salty water. Dissolve 1-2 tablespoons of table salt into 200 ml (8 fl oz) of warm water.

• When in the car, keep the windows closed. Use air-conditioning if you have it, and consider buying a pollen filter for the air vents.

• Don’t have fresh flowers in the house, or close to you at work. Make it clear to family and friends that while flowers as a gift are lovely, they make your hay fever worse.

• Dust your furniture with a damp cloth rather than a dry duster, which will help to prevent dust and pollen particles from flying into the air.

• Damp dust and vacuum your home as often as possible. Consider buying a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

• Avoid eating any foods to which you know you are sensitive – they may aggravate your hay fever symptoms.

• If possible, ask someone else to mow the lawn, rake the leaves and prune the bushes.

• To prevent any pollen that has attached itself to you from entering your nose, frequently wash your hands and face. When you come in the house from outside, change your clothes.

• If there is about to be a thunderstorm, stay inside with the windows closed. Changes in atmospheric pressure can break down pollens into very fine particles which are more easily inhaled.

• When thinking of holidays, consider going to the coast as sea breezes blow pollen inland.

• Go sightseeing outside of the peak pollen season.

• Take regular note of the pollen count, which is usually broadcast on TV and radio along with the weather.

If your hay fever is severe, there are several more ‘exacting’ rules you could follow to achieve optimum relief from your symptoms.

• You may find it worth investing in an air-conditioning system or HEPA filter at home. This will remove most of the pollen and other allergens from the air around you.

• Wipe down your dog or cat with a damp towel after they have been outdoors. They may have picked up pollen from the air.

• Place a thin layer of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) around your eyes and just inside the nostrils to prevent pollen from entering these areas.

• Before you go to bed, take a shower to remove any pollen that is stuck to your body or hair.

• Avoid drying your clothes, towels and bed linen outdoors.

• Avoid exposing yourself to other environmental irritants such as chemical fumes, fly spray, strong perfumes, paint, fresh tar and tobacco smoke.

• When planning your garden, choose plants that give off the least amount of pollen. Alternatively, have your garden tiled or grav­elled over.

• Spray a fine mist of water over the garden with the hose to dampen down pollen in the air.

• If you can, avoid living near to a busy road where there are high levels of vehicle exhaust fumes or to an industrial estate where chemical pollutants are sure to be circulating in the air. Moving to a less polluted area would significantly reduce your allergens.

• If your symptoms are bad at night, use an ionizer in the bedroom, which may help you get a better night’s sleep.

• Consider colon cleansing to detoxify your intestines. The effect can be a substantial reduction in allergy symptoms.

During a hay fever flare-up, avoid hot drinks as these can increase blood flow to the nasal membranes, causing further inflammation. If you are suffering from hives (urticaria), you can purchase antihista­mine creams or steroid preparations from high street chemists. Regular application, in accordance with the instruction leaflet, should relieve the itchiness.