Dr Lalitha Badul
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen that in simple terms, causes your body to freak out when it catches the slightest whiff of the stuff.
Thinking it’s under attack, the immune system switches into overdrive – releasing an onslaught of chemicals in an effort to protect you from what it thinks is a life-threatening infection. It’s these chemicals that cause the classic symptoms of a runny nose, watering eyes and an itchy or painful throat.
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Thankfully, there’s a range of ways to relieve your symptoms and prevent them from spoiling your summer altogether.
Brew up: Green tea is a fantastic drink in and of itself, but it can also be a boon for hay fever sufferers. Camomile also comes recommended and you might want to try using the teabag as a cold compress to sooth those swollen eyes.
Vaseline: Before heading outdoors, spread a bit of Vaseline on the inside of the bottom of your nose, this should act as a trap for at least some pollen particles.
Steaming the tide: Try putting a towel over your head and breathing in steam, this should help to open your airways. Popping a decongestant like Vicks in the bowl can also speed the process along.
Sunglasses: The eyes make promising targets for pollen, so if you don’t wear prescription lenses, you might want to consider rocking a pair of shades to minimise their exposure.
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Nice and spicy: Add a generous portion of garlic, ginger and chilli to your food – they’ve been shown to ease the symptoms of congestion and are tasty to boot.
If your symptoms are particularly severe and don’t get any better after using over-the-counter treatments, you might need to see a GP, who’ll be able to prescribe medication to help ease their effect or prevent hay fever attacks.
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Antihistamines, which prevent the chemical reaction that causes hay fever symptoms, are often prescribed. These can be used when the signs of hay fever first appear or as a preventative measure.
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