According to Allergy UK, hay fever affects between 10 and 30 percent of all adults in the UK, making it one of the most common allergies.
Tree pollen first appears from late March to mid-May, while grass pollen usually persists from mid-May to July. Most people are allergic to grass pollen, but many people with hay fever feel the effects of the allergy as early as this year.
Hay fever usually begins in childhood or adolescence and is more common in boys than girls, but can also develop into adulthood when both men and women are affected. Here’s everything you need to know about allergies and what the experts say
What is hay fever?
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, usually when it enters the mouth, nose, eyes, and throat.
The NHS reports that symptoms of hay fever include:
- sneezing and coughing;
- runny or stuffy nose;
- itchy, red, or watery eyes;
- itching in the throat, mouth, nose and ears;
- loss of smell;
- pain around the temples and forehead;
- Headache;
- Ear ache;
- feel tired
Most people with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen, but some also suffer from weed and tree pollen.
How can you get hay fever as an adult?
It is believed that about a third of adults in the Western world are potentially prone to developing allergies, and it is written in our genes. However, this does not mean that these people will develop allergic symptoms.
Dr Runa Ali, an allergy and asthma specialist at the King Edward VII Hospital in London, explains: “Most people only have antibodies against viruses and bacteria, but a third of people also have antibodies against common things like pollen or peanuts. However, of that number, only half will develop true symptoms.”
Exactly what could cause allergies to flare up later in life is still largely unknown, but experts have many theories.
“Hypotheses for what could be affecting your immune system include a serious infection such as pneumonia, environmental pollution, or hormonal changes,” the doctor said. Ali.
“But even if we were to identify susceptible people, it would not alert us to who would eventually develop an allergy and who would not. If you test positive for a certain allergen, you may be able to avoid it, but by exposing yourself, you can still be tolerant!
Other possible triggers for developing allergies, such as hay fever, in adulthood are lifestyle changes, such as the release of histamine. or trigger the release of histamine in the body.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says: “Allergies occur when your body thinks a substance, such as animal dander, pollen, or mold, is harmful. This substance causes your immune system to release a chemical called histamine, which leads to allergy symptoms.
“As you get older, your immune system can weaken, so your reaction to an allergen also becomes weaker. Repeated exposure can also cause your immune system to overreact. If you developed allergies as an adult, you may have mild symptoms throughout your life, but an event such as a move or a new pet prompted your immune system to react.
How can I relieve my symptoms?
There is no cure for hay fever, but there are a number of over-the-counter medications that can be used to relieve symptoms, such as antihistamine pills, sprays, and eye drops. Talk to your pharmacist to find the right treatment for you.
Other tips include closing windows, showering regularly, and washing clothes to remove pollen.
Pollen concentration is especially high at night. So consider using a fan instead of opening windows at night to get better sleep.
The NHS recommends taking the following steps to help with hay fever:
- Apply petroleum jelly around the nostrils to catch the pollen;
- Wear sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes.
- take a shower outside and change clothes to wash off the pollen;
- stay indoors as long as possible;
- Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible;
- regularly vacuum and wipe the dust with a damp cloth;
- Buy a pollen filter for car wind deflectors and a vacuum cleaner with a Hepa filter;
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a fever or don’t feel well enough to go about your usual activities.
It is not recommended to do the following:
- mow the grass or walk on the grass;
- spending too much time outdoors;
- keep fresh flowers indoors;
- smoking or being near smoke – this aggravates your symptoms;
- Dry clothes outside – they can trap pollen.
For more tips on how to deal with hay fever from Allergy UK, click here.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.