Hayfever: how to relieve it
Hayfever might seem like a minor irritation to those who do not suffer from it, but for those that do, the summer months can turn into the most difficult time of the year.Everyday routines can be badly disrupted during attacks, and to make matters worse, the pollen season begins in the middle of exam term.
Hayfever is the most common allergic disorder in the UK and approximately 12 million people are afflicted by it. It is twice as common in men as women and seems to affect those of active temperament or high mental development.
The catalyst is pollen. The pollen from many different sorts of plant can affect us, but grass pollen is responsible in around 95 per cent of cases.
Inhaling it prompts an allergic condition of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and air passages. The cells in these areas produce histamines, which in turn produce the symptoms associated with hayfever – itchy eyes, runny/blocked nose and incessant sneezing.
The grass pollen season usually begins between mid-May and June, ending some time between mid-July and August, although symptoms can occur at other times due to sensitivity to other pollens.
How to relieve symptoms
There are a few obvious precautions that can be taken, but often these will be impractical. Where possible:- Stay indoors when the pollen count is particularly high
- Keep windows closed
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