Handy tips for coping with hay fever | Ableworld Help and Advice

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Handy tips for coping with hay fever

This entry was posted in General May 12, 2022

While many of us rejoice at the warmer weather, spring and summer can be the worst times of the year for hay fever sufferers. Pollen allergies are quite common and effect around one in five people at some point in their life. For sufferers, summer is the season of runny noses and itchy eyes – not the summer fun you were hoping for!

Sadly, there’s no cure for hay fever yet but there are ways to relieve the symptoms so you can get on with your life and enjoy the outdoors again. The first step is to talk to your pharmacist. Over the counter medications, such as antihistamines, are very effective, but if your symptoms are particularly bad you should book a visit with your GP who will be able to prescribe tailored medication.

Here are some top tips for hay fever season:

  1. Antihistamines: Many non-drowsy antihistamines are available over the counter. When you first experience symptoms, it’s best to ask your pharmacist which kind will be most effective. If your symptoms are severe, you can also contact your GP. They can help you explore a number of prescription medications or other options such as immunotherapy or seasonal allergy shots.
  1. Check the pollen count: The root of your symptoms is your allergy to pollen, so avoiding coming into contact with pollen is your best bet. On days when the pollen count is particularly high, keep windows closed. You might choose to stay indoors if possible. The count is usually highest in the morning and evening, so try and arrange your day around this if you can (a high count is over 50 grains per cubic metre of air)
  1. Change clothes regularly: Every time you go outside, pollen collects on your clothes. After being outdoors, shower and wash your hair straight away to remove the pollen from your body and change your clothing. Try and avoid drying clothes outside if you can.
  1. Wear sunglasses: No doubt you’ve already dug your favourite pair of sunglasses from storage as soon as the temperature hits 15 degrees. It’s important to wear sunglasses when outside, no just for UV protection but also to shield your eyes from the high pollen count. Larger butterfly or wrap-around sunglasses that cover a wider eye section may be especially helpful. Polarised sunglasses offer added protection against reflected sun rays and glare.
  1. Use eye drops: Itchy, dry and bloodshot eyes are one of the worst symptoms of hayfever.  Eye drops are a fast way of getting some relief from dried out and itchy eyes. Reintroducing moisture to the eyes could alleviate some of the irritating effects of hayfever.
  1. Get a pollen filter for your car: It can be difficult to keep car windows shut during hot weather, and pollen has other ways of getting in any way! You can buy a pollen filter to be fitted to the vents in your car, but this needs to be changed with every service.

 If you’ve tried everything and you’re still suffering, speak to your GP. Don’t let hay fever rule your life, it’s time to enjoy the summer!

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