Hay Fever - Are you allergic to summer?

While most of us look forward to the balmy, sunny days of spring and summer, for millions of people the onset of warmer weather is not so welcome. There are an estimated twelve million hay fever sufferers in the UK, for whom the coming months will bring the misery of itchy, swollen eyes, streaming noses, sneezing, sore throats, wheezing, headaches and irritability. In the most serious cases insomnia and depression are not uncommon.

During the summer months, newspapers and weather reports often include the ‘pollen count', which refers to the number of pollen grains in the air per cubic metre. It peaks in June and July, when it can reach up to 200 grains per cubic metre. In fact, many people begin to suffer the symptoms of hay fever at a pollen count as low as 10. The amount of pollen floating around fluctuates over the day, the peak hours being between seven and nine am and three to seven pm.

When symptoms are severe, avoiding exposure to pollen may seem the most attractive option but, of course staying indoors with all the windows shut is not really a viable possibility for most people. The good news is that there are many ways in which sufferers can help to relieve the condition through changes in their diet and by purchasing over-the-counter natural remedies.

Vitamins are essential to the proper functioning of the immune system and so the importance of eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables cannot be over-stressed. Of particular value is vitamin C, which has long been known for its antihistamine response. It may be helpful to take a supplement of quercetin, a bioflavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties that helps to inhibit the production of histamine. Bromelain too may be useful as it supports the action of quercetin and helps to clear congestion.

Often the symptoms of hay fever are exacerbated by food allergies. Wheat and dairy foods are very common allergens, which increase the production of catarrhal secretions so avoiding these may well bring some relief. Interestingly, eating locally produced honey could offer a degree of homoeopathic protection.

There are many natural remedies available, containing combinations of traditionally used herbs and essential oils. Examples of these are for example Bioforce Luffa Complex and Potter's Antifect. Garlic reduces mucous in the system, echinacea stimulates the body's natural defences and common plantain and scutellaria have anti-allergic properties and act as natural antihistamines. Dong quai also has properties that reduce the allergic response. Eyebright has long been used as an effective treatment for eye inflammations because it contains tannins that help to dry up the secretions of the mucous membranes. Natural decongestants include cod liver oil, eucalyptus and peppermint. One or two drops of peppermint oil can be used in a bowl of hot water as a steam inhalation.

Homoeopathic remedies, with their philosophy of treating like with like, sometimes actually involve dilutions of plant pollens. These remedies can be taken in the weeks leading up to the hay fever season to bring about desensitisation. Examples of popular homoeopathic remedies for hay fever are Nelson's Pollenna and New Era For Hayfever And Allergic Rhinitis.

By eating sensibly, using an appropriate natural remedy and following the other practical guidelines below, hay fever sufferers should be able to enjoy the mild weather, just like everyone else.

Useful tips:-

• Try to stay indoors during the peak pollen hours from 7.00 to 9.00am and from 3.00 to 7.00pm
• Keep windows and doors closed.
• Don't rub your eyes - it will make them more itchy
• Dry washing indoors as pollen grains can stick to it outside
• Avoid wide, open spaces like parks and fields
• Don't mow the lawn during the day as doing so creates clouds of pollen
• Avoid pets who can bring pollen in from outdoors on their coats

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