Don’t get us wrong, we love the warmer weather, but it’s difficult to stay positive all the time when you suffer from hay fever. If you’re on the 16 million people who battle with the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis – such as repeated sneezing and coughing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, and scratchy throat – keep reading on…
One way to fight the symptoms of hay fever is to stay inside, but don’t worry, we’re not going to recommend that. After a year of being locked inside, who could blame you for wanting to finally get out and about?! Hay fever can last for months at a time and has no cure – but you can act to alleviate its symptoms with the help of Lynemouth Pharmacy.
Prepare yourself before venturing outside
Pollen, a very fine powder produced by trees, flowers, grasses, and weeds to fertilise other plants of the same species, was identified as the cause of hay fever by scientist Charles Blackley in 1859. Today, 90% of hay fever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen, which reaches its highest concentrations from mid-May to July each year.
So, what should you do before leaving the safety of your home? Wearing wraparound sunglasses to prevent pollen from entering your eyes is a good idea – and, after you return home, it would be a good idea to shower and change your clothes, as pollen could otherwise be left on your body.
In addition to this, perhaps try putting Vaseline around your nostrils, the NHS recommends, as doing so could help you to trap the pollen. If your hay fever symptoms persist, even despite this preparation, you may need additional medical advice that our pharmacists would be delighted to provide.
Get in touch today to learn more
We’ll ask you to explain your symptoms to us when seeking our help, as hay fever can be easy to mistake for a cold. Unlike a cold, hay fever is likely to make itself known for longer than a couple of weeks, while – ironically, given the name – hay fever does not usually produce a fever.
Once we’ve confirmed that you’re suffering from the seasonal sniffles, we’ll be able to suggest a suitable remedy from the range of hay fever relief we have available in store. If you have nasal symptoms, we might advocate a nasal steroid, which would reduce inflammation in your nasal passage and possibly your eye area.
In a similar way, if it’s itchy, watery, or red eyes that you’re struggling with, we may also suggest mast cell stabilisers (eye drops) to help give you relief. Oral antihistamines are another option for keeping pollen-induced allergic reactions at bay.
It’s easy to contact us for expert advice on hay fever medication, such as by phoning 01670 860355 or emailing info@lynemouthpharmacy.co.uk
