Summer is no fun for the hayfever victim

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 9, 2007

When the clocks went forward a few weeks ago British summer time began, and already, as the first signs of proper sunshine arrive, people up and down the country are flocking to parks and beaches to soak up every drop of balmy warmth.

Unfortunately, it won't be picnics in the park and weekends in the country for everybody this spring.

For many, the sight of blossom on the trees and flowers in bloom fills them with dread. Spring for some simply means hayfever and all the bunged-up sniffles that go with it.

Some 15 million Britons are affected by the condition, and the numbers are rising. But what is it and how does it work?

* THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SNEEZES

Hayfever happens when a person has an allergy to pollen. Typically this is grass pollen; 95% of people with the condition react to grass in particular.

Pollen in the air can irritate the surface of the nose, throat, and mouth, so your body thinks it is being attacked and reacts accordingly. It will produce a variety of chemicals, including histamine, which cause the symptoms we know and hate.

It's been suggested by researchers that the allergic reaction is caused by a lack of exposure to harmful allergic substances early on in life, as well as a lack of antioxidants. Poor diet has also been touted as a cause, and longer, hotter summers mean people now suffer for a more sustained period.

To add to the misery, more and more fields of aggressively-pollinating plants such as oil seed rape are now being sown earlier, bringing on symptoms prematurely.

* THE SYMPTOMS

According to NHS Direct, common symptoms of hay fever include frequent sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy or watery eyes, and an itchy throat, mouth, nose or ears. In rarer cases, the effects can become more serious, and sufferers may experience loss of smell, face pain caused by blocked sinuses, sweats and headaches.

Some people are not even aware they are sufferers; the strength of symptoms varies from patient to patient and many people are more sensitive to one particular pollen compared to others.

Prof Jean Emberlin from the National Pollen & Aerobiology Research Unit says the problem is becoming more widespread.

"There has been a definite increase in people getting hay fever for the first time last year, with the pollen count being so exceptionally high," she says.

This year is building up to be as pollen-heavy as last year, so it is important to be prepared earlier.

Sometimes a simple skin test is needed to find out exactly to what you are reacting, but normally hay fever is diagnosed solely on symptoms.

Dr Carol Cooper. British Allergy Foundation chief executive says: "If you're at all unsure whether you've hayfever or not, go and see a doctor ( especially if you have any history of asthma and eczema in your family".

British Allergy Foundation chief executive Muriel Simmons agrees: "There is a recognised link between hay fever and asthma, so you need to monitor it. A lot of people who go on to develop asthma have nasal problems but they don't recognise it. They just think: 'Oh, I seem to go from one cold to another', but in fact they're suffering from rhinitis, which gives you the drippy nose in hay fever."

* BLESS YOU

Hayfever for most is more of a temporary nuisance than anything else and can normally be kept under control quite easily. Over-the-counter hay fever medicine is the biggest growing market in pharmacies, with over pounds 80m sales in the past year in Britain alone ( and there is a huge range to choose from.

Antihistamine tablets are the most common and cheapest method of dealing with hayfever. They fight most of the symptoms, but generally do not help with nasal congestion or stuffiness. Tablets can cause drowsiness. Those that do not tend to be less efficient. Antihistamine nasal sprays are also on sale for a quicker fix, and are available without prescription.

There are also eye drops to relieve itching, and for more serious cases you can even get steroid injections that get rid of symptoms for a time, but this is normally only done at especially important times in life such as exam periods, and doesn't provide a permanent solution.

Steroid drops and nasal sprays are more efficient than normal eye drops and antihistamine sprays, but tend to require use a few weeks before the hayfever season begins. Regular use is necessary but also very expensive. Prescriptions are not always needed, but the most useful brands do require them.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN A CURE

Keep an eye on the pollen count. Most weather services also watch the amount of pollen in the air and will tell you how good the day is going to be.

* Large, wrap-around sunglasses will help prevent pollen reaching your eyes. And as it's summer, you won't look like a poser.

* Vacuum your home regularly with a hospital-grade cleaner. Ensure there are no fresh flowers around and keep windows shut, if possible.

* Smoking can irritate sufferers and aggravate symptoms. Pet hair can also be an irritant, so try to keep animals out of bedrooms.

* Avoiding parks and large grassy areas will help, and keep away from that lawnmower ( get someone else to cut the grass for you!