The hidden symptoms of hay fever
There are over 12 million people in the UK that suffer with hay fever, and with the peak problem season just around the corner, one in five of us will begin to experience sneezing, itchy eyes and nasal congestion.
Furthermore, there is a range of side effects, or ‘hidden symptoms’, that are not often immediately associated with hay fever, but are directly caused by the seasonal condition and cause significant issues for sufferers.
For some Brits, some symptoms can be so severe that they can cause secondary problems including disrupted sleep and poor concentration at work, as well as more serious issues such as depression and asthma.
To help you take control of your hay fever, Dr Mike Smith, one of the UK's leading media doctors with a special interest in respiratory conditions, has worked with Ultra Chloraseptic Anaesthetic Throat Spray, ultrachloraseptic.co.uk , to put together the ‘hay fever hit list’, revealing the lesser known symptoms and how you can make sure they don’t disturb your fun in the sun this year.
Dr Mike Smith’s ‘hay fever hit list’
Sore throats
One of the most forgotten, yet painful, hay fever symptoms is the sore throat and there are a number of reasons for this problem developing. “Firstly, as hay fever blocks the nose and sinus, sufferers are forced to breathe through their mouth constantly, which leaves the throat sore, red, dry and irritated. Secondly hay fever causes sinus drainage, or ‘post nasal drip’. This is a build up of mucus at the back of the nose which then ‘drips’ down to the throat and can result in chronic pain and infection. Sore throats also can be made much worse by being dehydrated, especially on a hot day.” Dr Smith says: “It’s advisable to carry an antiseptic throat spray at all times to provide fast and effective relief when needed.”
Asthma
Hay fever is much more likely if there is a family history of allergies, particularly asthma. In addition, hay fever sufferers are more likely to develop asthma than those who don't suffer from hay fever. “This likelihood also increases if hay fever is left untreated. For those who already have asthma, it often makes asthma symptoms worse” says Dr Smith. “Allergens can trigger asthma symptoms: tight chest, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. If this happens to you, speak to your doctor or nurse as soon as possible. They will give you medicines to help you control these symptoms.”
Headaches
“There are many disorders of the ear, nose and throat which can cause recurring headache; the more common of which is sinus problems. Hay fever causes swelling in the nose which results in sinusitis” says Dr Smith. It also brings on headaches when the immune system overreacts to irritants, such as pollen. The best way to avoid or get rid of a sinus headache is to treat the underlying sinus inflammation. “Using a humidifier during hay fever season could help, as could a saline nose spray. If your symptoms persist, speak to your doctor.”
Depression
Dr Smith says: “Research indicates that if you have a mood disorder and are also allergic to tree or ragweed pollen, your depression will likely worsen during hay fever season.” A research project found 53 per cent of 100 people diagnosed with either depression or bipolar disorder tested positive for ragweed or tree pollen allergies. They also had increasingly worse scores on depression tests as it progressed from low to high pollen season. “If you suffer from low mood during hay fever season, treating the symptoms of hay fever could help; otherwise visit your GP for further advice.”
Skin rash
Hay fever skin rashes can be caused by pollen falling on the skin, by direct contact with leaves of offending plants, or by droplets of moisture from plants which can often carry pollen. “Activities in the garden during peak hay fever season such as mowing the lawn or trimming bushes can aggravate pollen in plants, particularly the common ragweed (one of the worst offenders for hay fever suffers), causing skin irritation” says Dr Smith. “The best advice is to check the pollen count first thing in the morning and avoid doing gardening on days when it is likely to be high. Antihistamine products are also very effective for rashes”.
Sleep deprivation
Many sufferers report their hay fever symptoms being worse at night, particularly in the summer months. “When the air cools after sunset, the pollen can slowly descend, creating an invisible pollen shower. A top tip is to wash your hair before bed and regularly change your pillow case – this will help to get rid of any pollen particles which could be the cause if your night time hay fever attacks” advises Dr Smith.
Dr Mike Smith’s quick tips for handling hay fever:
1. Avoiding exposure to pollen is the best way to reduce the allergic symptoms of hay fever, so stay indoors when you can on ‘high-pollen-count’ days (when the count is between 50 - 150)
2. If you’re a spectacle wearer, fine. If you’re not, it’s advisable to wear wraparound sunglasses on high pollen days
3. Take a non-sedating anti-histamine to dampen symptoms
4. Drink at least an extra 500ML of water on pollen days to make sure that you remain hydrated
5. Take your holidays by the sea. The land being warmer than the sea, attracts pollen-free air for the sufferer to breath and with it some natural relief for the hay fever symptoms
