Hay fever is set to soar this year. Experts predict that the pollen count will rocket until June following a cold March and April.
Hay fever is a form of allergic rhinitis caused by pollen or spores. Allergic rhinitis is a condition where an allergen (something that causes an allergic reaction) makes the inside of your nose inflamed (swollen). Hay fever affects the nose, sinuses (small air-filled cavities behind your cheekbones and forehead), throat and eyes.
This causes sneezing, a runny nose, congestion and itchy eyes. The pollens that are spread by the wind are usually the main cause of such seasonal allergies. When pollen is present in the air, it can land in a person’s eyes, nose, lungs and on the skin thereby setting up an allergic reaction.
Hay fever is a common condition that affects around a fifth of people in the UK. Hay fever is more likely if there is a family history of allergies, particularly asthma or eczema.
Hay fever cannot be cured completely and avoiding pollens is virtually impossible, however there are a number of treatments available to relieve the symptoms. These include antihistamine tablets, nasal (nose) sprays and eye drops. Some can only be prescribed by a GP, but many are available over-the counter in pharmacies. For persistent hay fever, a treatment known as immunotherapy can be used to gradually increase a person’s exposure to the allergen while monitoring their response. This can be effective at reducing the severity of allergic reaction, but is not suitable for everyone.