Hayfever · Apr 02, 2024

Battling the Pollen: A Guide to Understanding and Managing Hay Fever

Spring brings with it a burst of vibrant colours, warmer temperatures and the promise of outdoor adventures. However, for many people, this season also marks the beginning of an annual struggle with hay fever, also known as ‘allergic rhinitis’. As flowers bloom and trees blossom, pollen is released, triggering allergic reactions in some people. In this blog, we'll look at the causes and symptoms of hay fever and ways to reduce its impact on your daily life.

Understanding Hay Fever

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to airborne particles, mainly pollen grains from trees, grasses and weeds. When these allergens come into contact with the nose and throat, the immune system thinks they are threats and releases chemicals like histamine to fight them off. This immune response leads to a range of annoying symptoms, including:

Sneezing
Runny or blocked nose
Itchy, watery eyes
Scratchy throat
Blocked or painful sinuses (sinusitis)
Coughing
Tiredness
Headaches

How bad the symptoms are depends on the person’s sensitivity, pollen levels in your local area and whether you have an existing condition such as asthma. The inflammation caused by allergens in the nose can extend to the lower airways, potentially triggering or worsening asthma symptoms.

Managing Hay Fever

While hay fever can be distressing, there are several things you can try to reduce its impact.

Monitor Pollen Count: Keep track of local pollen forecasts and try to limit outdoor activities during high pollen days, typically warm and breezy days. The Met Office give a very useful 5-day pollen forecast for the UK.

Close Windows and Doors: To prevent pollen from entering your home, keep windows and doors closed, especially during peak pollen times.

Use Air Purifiers: Invest in an air purifier with a HEPA filter for your home, to remove pollen from the air.

Practice Nasal Rinsing: Rinsing inside your nose with a saline solution can help flush out pollen from your nose. This is a natural, drug-free treatment which helps to prevent symptoms from starting in the first place. We recommend using the PARI MONTESOL Nasal Douche and Nasal Rinse to clean and protect your nose. The rinse contains natural saline with soothing dexpanthanol to calm irritation.

Wear Wraparound Sunglasses: Wearing sunglasses when outdoors can protect your eyes from pollen and reduce itchiness and irritation.

Try Medications: Over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and nasal corticosteroids can provide relief from hay fever symptoms.

Nasal sprays are often recommended for managing blocked sinuses, but these can fail because they cannot make their way through the narrowed passages to the nasal sinuses. In contrast, nebuliser therapy with the PARI SINUS2 is a gentle, non-invasive alternative, which enables the mist (aerosol) to penetrate directly into the nasal sinuses. Using a liquid saline such as NaCl 0.9% with the PARI SINUS2 can help to lubricate and clear your sinuses.

Hay fever can limit how you enjoy the spring and summer months, but with proper understanding and management, it doesn't have to rule your life. By taking practical steps to minimise your contact with pollen and planning in advance, you can enjoy the beauty of the seasons without constantly battling the sniffles and sneezes. Remember, if your hay fever symptoms persist or worsen despite self-care measures, don't hesitate to seek advice from a healthcare professional for treatment options, especially if you have an existing lung condition.

Visit AllergyUK for more information on hayfever and how to manage it.