We all look forward to the warmer spring and summer months. Still, if you’re one of the millions of people in the UK affected by hayfever – as many 20% of us are – you’ll know that the hayfever season is lurking just around the corner, if not already in full swing. There’s even talk of an unfriendly-sounding ‘pollen bomb’ heading our way.
So, why is pollen so irksome? An allergic reaction such as hay fever can be explained as an excessive reaction to a normally harmless substance, in this instance, pollen. The immune system identifies pollen as dangerous and produces an antibody called IgE, which triggers the production of histamine. Histamine is an inflammatory chemical that causes an array of unpleasant symptoms, including running nose and eyes, itching and burning in localised areas such as in the throat, nose and eyes, puffiness, swelling and mucus formation. Altogether, not much fun.
Tree pollen occurs first, typically from late March until mid-May, and affects around 25% of the population. Up to 95% of hayfever sufferers are affected by grass pollen, by far the biggest trigger, and this tends to be an issue from around mid-May, lasting until the end of July. Weed pollen can be released at any time but the season typically covers the end of June until September.
Added to the staggered nature of the season, your postcode will also determine when you’re likely to be affected. Generally, there’s a later start and shorter season in the north of the country, where there tends to be less pollen. Urban areas also have lower counts than the countryside, but arguably there are other airborne irritants to contend with.
Photo credit: Stephan H. on Unsplash
What’s the take-home? Pollen pretty much has its bases covered from March through to September, BUT, if you are prone to hayfever, there are a number of measures you can take to stay one step ahead.
Firstly, do your homework! Stay up-to-date with the latest pollen information in your local area by checking your 5-day pollen forecast (avogel.co.uk). You can tailor your results to where you live, and also pollen count according to type (tree, grass) if you know what pollen type you’re allergic to.
You’ll also want to keep your body as free from toxins as possible by avoiding junk and eating whole foods. Keep your caffeine and alcohol intake low and avoid nicotine. If you live in a polluted area or work with chemicals or in traffic-ridden areas, regular detoxes to keep your system clear will help. Simple steps such as drinking plenty of water and keeping your bowel moving daily will reduce the toxic load on your system.
Avoid dairy foods as they cause mucus formation that can exacerbate hayfever symptoms, and keep your intake of refined sugar low. If you suffer with any type of allergy, hayfever included, you’re more likely to have wobbly blood sugar and be sensitive to refined sugar. Sugar can trigger surges and drops in blood sugar levels that cause adrenalin production to kick in, which involves the production of histamine – just what you don’t want.
Make sure you’re sleeping well. Whilst scientists are still trying to figure out the exact relationship between sleep and the immune system, studies show that sleep helps to shift the balance of anti-inflammatory proteins so that the immune system can recognise and respond better to bugs and allergens, which may help to reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Plant remedies can also help. Echinacea purpurea taken twice daily can help to improve your body’s ability to identify harmful substances correctly. Ideally, you would think about taking Echinacea about two months before your known hayfever time, but it may still prove helpful even after symptoms have set in.
Approximately two weeks before your usual symptoms kick in, take Luffa operculata twice daily. Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets contain seven tropical herbs, including Luffa operculata and Galphimia glauca, to help with allergy to grass and tree pollen. They are non-drowsy and so will not affect your ability to drive or use machinery. If your eyes are particularly sensitive to hayfever try Pollinosan Hayfever Eye Drops. With hyaluronic acid and chamomile, they provide a soothing solution for red, itchy eyes as a result of hayfever-causing allergens, and can be used with contact lenses and glasses. A nasal spray is also available for immediate relief from symptoms due to hayfever and allergy, such as runny nose, itchy nose, and nasal congestion.
Finally, check prevailing winds and pollen counts and remember that wind dried clothes can become pollen catchers. Hanging clothes inside will help to keep them pollen free!
Title photo credit: Павло Павлюк on Unsplash
