It is not uncommon to develop seasonal allergies later in life. Hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, is an allergy to tree and grass pollens that are abundant throughout spring and summer.

Sufferers are affected anytime between April and October depending on which particular pollens they are allergic to.

Pollen timeline

Symptoms

The symptoms of hay fever, like any other allergy, are caused by excessive histamine release in the local area, leading to signs of inflammation.

As the eyes and nose are affected first, symptoms are concentrated in these areas. The eyes become notoriously itchy and watery, the nose runs and is tickly, causing you to sneeze, and the throat, ears and palate can become irritated. Inflammation of the nasal passages makes the nose feel stuffy and restricts your breathing. The intensity of the response often makes the entire body feel ill and can cause a loss of concentration and mood change, rather like a head cold.

These symptoms may be mild and almost unnoticeable, but for some they are extremely debilitating, making summer months almost unbearable.

Prevention

Quite simply, the only way to prevent an allergic reaction is to avoid whatever it is you are allergic to, but of course that is nigh on impossible in the case of hay fever.

If you suspect you may have developed hay fever, it is a good idea to keep a diary of when and where symptoms occur. This will not only clarify your condition but will help you to recognise the situations you would be better off avoiding.

Pollen levels peak during mid-morning and early evening, so you can avoid most of the days threat by staying inside with doors and windows closed at these times. If you must go out, you can wear sunglasses to help protect your eyes and dab a small amount of Vaseline inside the nose as a protective barrier for its delicate membranes.

Treatment

However hard you try to avoid hay fever, at the height of the season you are bound to get caught out sooner or later. No-one wants to spend the summer locked up indoors, so try out some of the treatments available until you find one that works for you.

Since histamine is the cause of the symptoms, antihistamines are the obvious first choice. A nasal spray will get straight to the problem and tablets are easy and practical for regular use. Brands will differ in their additional ingredients and there are plenty to choose from, so try several and find the one that suits you best.

If antihistamine tablets dont have the desired effect, there are several other options. For example, the feeling of stuffiness that results from inflamed nasal membranes can be alleviated with the use of anti-inflammatory nasal drops or sprays. Decongestants may help but will usually provide little or no relief because congestion is often not the cause of the problem.

Anti-allergy nasal sprays and eye drops can be effective by directly blocking the effect of the allergen on the membranes, thereby preventing the reaction.

In cases where the above treatments are ineffective or impractical, your GP may be able to offer antihistamine injections throughout the worst months, providing long-term protection from hay fever symptoms.

Immunotherapy

Allergen Immunotherapy involves repeatedly administering a dose of allergen in order to desensitise the individual and reduce the symptoms associated with natural exposure.

Oral allergy syndrome

Certain fruits and nuts are known to cross-pollinate with the pollens that cause hay fever, which sometimes mean that a hay fever sufferer can also develop an oral allergy. Upon eating the food (uncooked) that they are allergic to, the person will experience itching and swelling of the mouth and throat.

Foods that people can become sensitive to are linked to the pollen that causes their hay fever. Some common combinations are shown below:

19/05/2009