Around 50% of UK people are estimated to be affected by hayfever (to a varying degree) and it’s also becoming more common, although we don’t exactly know why this is the case – thankfully it does become better with age!
Hayfever is an allergy to grass, tree or weed pollen. Most people are allergic to grass pollen (which actually has two peaks) and the season lasts from mid-May until July. You can be allergic to the pollen from one or multiple types of trees, and the season usually begins in March and lasts until mid-May. Weed pollen can be released at any time, but the season typically covers the end of June to September.
The medical term for what happens when people suffer hayfever is seasonal allergic rhinitis which is inflammation or swelling of the nose, however it can also cause problems with the eyes and this is called allergic conjunctivitis.
Why does this happen?
Pollen is a fine powder produced by plants, trees, and flowers that helps fertilise other plants. When inhaled through the nose or when it comes into contact with the skin or eyes, it can trigger an immune response.
In the nose, this immune reaction can lead to swelling and increased mucus production. The excess mucus may drip down the back of the throat, causing nasal congestion, blockage, and a catarrhal (phlegmy) throat.
This inflammation can also affect the sinuses and the back of the throat, contributing to further discomfort and in the eyes can also cause swelling and watering.
Common symptoms include:
- Blocked nose
- Runny nose
- Fullness in the sinuses
- Sneezing
- Headache over the forehead
- Cough
- Itchy red and watery eyes
- Itchy throat
- Loss of smell
- Wheezing and shortness of breath
How to minimise hayfever
It’s practically impossible to prevent any contact with pollen, however if you reduce your contact with pollen it tends to lead to fewer symptoms.
Key tips to minimise contact with pollen:
- Use a weather app to monitor the pollen count
- Stay indoors, and keep windows and doors shut if the pollen count is very high
- Avoid cutting the grass
- Try and keep away from large grassy areas
- Shower and wash your hair after being outdoors
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around the side of your face
- When driving, keep your windows closed and ensure that your car has a pollen filter which is changed regularly
Treatment for hayfever
Medication for hayfever does not cure it, but simply helps to control the symptoms, these include:
Antihistamines
These tablets help to reduce the effect that pollen has when it encounters the inside of the nose and eyes. Most of the over-the-counter antihistamines are effective and generally have few side effects, these are branded as non-drowsy antihistamines, but this is not always the case.
Some people feel tired and drowsy on antihistamines, and this is important as you must not drive or operate machinery, or do skilled tasks if you are affected by the medication. You can reduce the side effects of medication by taking the tablets in the evening so that by morning any tiredness effect is minimised.
Antihistamines can interfere with other medications and can also affect the way our bodies react to alcohol. Sometimes a combination can intensify the sedation of the medications and impair co-ordination. Generally speaking if one of the non-drowsy antihistamines causes tiredness and fatigue you may well be absolutely fine on other non drowsy antihistamines, and it’s worth discussing this with your doctor or pharmacist.
Steroid nasal sprays
These reduce the swelling of the lining of the nose. They do not work immediately and can take several weeks to become effective. They should also be seen as a ‘preventative’ measure, a treatment to prevent the symptoms of hayfever and therefore they should be taken every day during the hay fever season. They generally have few side effects, however they can cause irritation to the lining of the nose and if you get a cold in the first two weeks of using the steroid nasal spray, it is a good idea to stop the spray until the cold has gone and then restart.
If you have already been using the spray for two weeks, and then you get a cold, do not stop the spray, but carry on as it should be taken every day. The gentlest steroid nasal sprays can be bought over the counter, however stronger ones require a prescription from your GP.
Eye drops
These contain chemicals that reduce the allergic reaction in the eye. The drops can be bought over the counter and should be used on a regular basis.
They can often sting a little when applied to the eye, but blinking 10 to 20 times will tend to spread the eye drop around the eye and reduce the irritation. It is important to keep the eye drops clean to avoid the risk of transferring infection into the eye.
Other treatments include nasal saline washes and decongestion nasal sprays; with these it is very important that you do not use them for more than a week. Continued use of a decongestant nasal spray leads to increased nasal congestion, called rhinitis medicamentosa which can be very uncomfortable and take a long time to resolve. There are also groups of people who should not use these including people who are pregnant.
If your hayfever is very bad, doctors will sometimes prescribe a short course of steroid tablets as these tend to suppress the symptoms of hayfever for a longer period of time – from weeks to the whole hayfever season.
Hay fever steroid injection
Around 1 in 10 people find that typical hayfever medications don’t provide sufficient relief. In the past, these individuals might have been offered a steroid injection, commonly known as the ‘hayfever injection’. This injection works by suppressing the immune system, which helps reduce allergic symptoms. It’s administered into a muscle and gradually releases the steroid into the body over the course of one to two months.
However, these injections are associated with several potential side effects, including:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Abdominal discomfort
- Insomnia
- Elevated blood pressure
- Mental health disturbances
As the injection weakens the immune response, it can also increase the risk of infections such as shingles and chickenpox. Due to these risks, the hayfever injection is no longer licensed for treating hay fever.
For those who don’t respond well to standard treatments, immunotherapy may be a suitable alternative. This approach involves gradually exposing the body to increasing amounts of the allergen to desensitise the immune system. Before starting, allergy testing is required to identify the specific trigger.
Immunotherapy must be supervised by an allergy specialist. It is not a quick fix and requires long-term commitment. Additionally, it may cause side effects such as:
- Itching
- Redness
- Swelling
- Throat irritation
If you’re struggling with hayfever symptoms, speak to your GP. They can help you explore the most effective treatment options and, if appropriate, refer you to an immunologist or allergy specialist.
Book an appointment with Dr Adam Simon, call 0161 428 4464 or email info@privategpextra.com
Recent Comments