Spring has well and truly sprung - and while April brings with it an explosion of colour on the trees, fields and flowerbeds, unfortunately for many of us that also spells the arrival of the dreaded hay fever.
The pollen count is on the rise, with the North East set for medium to high pollen levels this week according to the Met Office forecast. Most prevalent between March and September, as many as one in five people experience hay fever at some point during their lives - and it can put a real dampener on the summer months for sufferers.
Common symptoms of hay fever include sneezing and coughing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy, red or watery eyes as well as an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears, and unlike a cold it can last for months.
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The full list of symptoms of hay fever include:
- sneezing and coughing
- a runny or blocked nose
- itchy, red or watery eyes
- itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- loss of smell
- pain around your temples and forehead
- headache
- earache
- feeling tired
If you have asthma, you might also:
- have a tight feeling in your chest
- be short of breath
- wheeze and cough
Hay fever can last for weeks or even months. While there's no cure for hay fever, there are a few steps the NHS recommends taking in order to limit its impact on your daily life.
One recommendation is to stay indoors as much as possible - but this isn't a practical solution for many sufferers, nor a desirable one as no-one wants to watch summer pass them by while they're stuck inside. Here are some other things you can try at home to help ease your hay fever symptoms, according to the NHS:
Put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes
Buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
There are also some things you should avoid doing where possible to help stop your hay fever symptoms from getting worse. Here's what the NHS advises against:
Don't cut grass or walk on grass
Don't keep fresh flowers in the house
Don't dry your clothes outside as they can pick up pollen while on the washing line
Don't let pets into the house if possible as they can carry pollen indoors - if you have a dog, you may want to try brushing them or wiping them down with a damp cloth when they come home from a walk before letting them inside
Don't smoke or be around smoke, as this will make your symptoms worse
The health service also suggests visiting your local pharmacist if you have hay fever, as they can provide you with advice and suggest the best treatments to try such as antihistamine tablets, drops or nasal sprays. If your symptoms are particularly severe, your GP may also be able to prescribe a steroid treatment or refer you for immunotherapy to slowly build up your immunity to pollen.
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