Get a handle on your hay fever

As pollen levels continue to fluctuate through the summer season, NHS 24 is sharing advice on how to safely manage hay fever as part of their summer health campaign.

The common allergic reaction is caused by pollen irritating the nose, throat, eyes, and sinuses. Symptoms are often like those of a cold, and can include frequent sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy, red, or watery eyes, an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears, and a cough.

“Hay fever is common, and it can affect up to 1 in 5 people at any point in their lifetime,” explains Dr John McAnaw, (pictured above) Associate Clinical Director at NHS 24.

“While it is not a life-threatening condition, there is no cure for it, and it can make those who have the condition feel quite miserable through the summer months.”

NHS 24 manages NHS inform which is Scotland’s online health information service. The site includes more information on how to self-manage hay fever through its online symptom checker and where to seek further help if required.

Dr McAnaw continues: “There are some simple things you can do yourself to lessen your symptoms of hay fever.

“If you need to be outside, it can help to wear wraparound sunglasses, and apply a small amount of Vaseline (petroleum gel) to your nostrils to stop pollen getting in your eyes and nose. It also good idea to take a shower and change your clothes after being outdoors to remove the pollen on your body.

“If you continue to struggle with the symptoms of hay fever speak to your local pharmacist, who can give you information on over-the-counter medicines that are suitable for you. If your hay fever is persistent, severe, or it causes complications with any other illnesses such as asthma, you should contact your GP for further advice.

“The most effective way to control hay fever would be to avoid pollen completely, but this would be near enough impossible to do in the summer months. If you struggle particularly with hay fever and the pollen count is high, you might want to consider staying indoors as much as possible.”

More information on the pollen count can be found by visiting the Met Office’s pollen forecast page on their website.

Yolanda Clewlow is the Met Office’s Relationships Manager for Health and Air Quality, and the UK Pollen Forecast Manager. She said: “We’re constantly monitoring what’s in the atmosphere and what might be coming in terms of pollen in the air. We look at a very broad picture for the pollen outlook, including the weather in the previous year when pollen is formed on some plants to make a judgement on how heavy a season might be for pollen release. Rain, wind, temperature, and sunshine all affect how much pollen will be produced and how much it will be dispersed.

“The first thing to do is to make sure you understand the type of pollen you’re allergic to and monitor the Met Office pollen forecast. That way, you know when the very high days of pollen are coming, and you can take precautions to try and avoid it.”