If you suffer from hay fever or other respiratory allergies, such as asthma, rhinoconjunctivitus and rhinitis, you are certainly not alone. 

The UK has one of the highest rates of allergic disease, including allergic rhinitis, in the world. The latest estimates suggest that one-third of the total UK population - approximately 18 million people - will develop an allergy at some time in their lives.

Hay fever is one of the most common allergies in UK , affecting about 12 million people, 15 to 25% in the population and in the teenage category this figure rises to 35%. 


What is Hay fever? 

Hay fever is the common term for seasonal allergic rhinitis and is caused by an over-reaction of the immune system to pollen (from trees, grasses, flowers and weeds) or fungal spores (from fungi and moulds) that are common in the air at certain times of the year. In addition to the typical symptoms of sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes, the patient frequently feels irritable, tired and has difficulty concentrating. Pollen and spores can also trigger asthma in susceptible individuals. 


What causes Hay fever? 

The peak season for grass pollen, which affects 95% of hay fever sufferers, is June and July. The pollen count tends to peak in the early morning and late afternoon to evening and is worst on warm, dry sunny days. The count is usually lower on cloudy, cool days and wet or very humid days. 

Tree pollen peaks in April when the silver birch trees are in flower and about 25% of sufferers are affected at this time. There are also earlier allergenic spring trees such as hazel, alder and elm and then plane, ash and oak tree pollen in the late Spring. There are allergenic weed species too, such as nettle, plantain, mugwort and dock that affect people in the summer. The fungal spore season peaks in late July, August and September, gradually fading to low in late November. 

Some people are allergic to lots of different species and can therefore suffer symptoms from early Spring through to late Autumn.

 Actually, hay fever should not really be called hay fever because it is caused by pollen and fungal spores not hay! 


Rhinitis (allergic symptoms in the nose) and rhinoconjunctivitis (allergic symptoms in the nose and eyes) can be triggered by house dust mites (which are common in homes in the UK ) and pets, such as cats, dogs, small mammals and horses. Whilst pollen hay fever is seasonal, these other types of allergy tend to occur at all times of the year. Sufferers of house dust mite allergy tend to be worse in the morning when they get up or when doing jobs that stir up the dust, such as housework. They also tend to find that their symptoms improve when they go on holiday to somewhere warm and dry where the house dust mite populations tend to be smaller and of a different type. House dust mites and pet allergens can also induce asthma attacks in susceptible people.

The management and treatment of hay fever and respiratory allergies  

• First of all, visit your doctor who will assess your symptoms and issue you with appropriate medication. This is particularly important if you suspect you may have asthma.

• You may also like to consult your pharmacist for further advice on the wide range of available medications and remedies. These include different types of antihistamines, nasal sprays and decongestants, homeopathic remedies and other alternative medicines. There are also products that work as a barrier, such as Nasaleze, a cellulose powder that coats the lining of the nose thereby preventing the pollen, spores, mite and pet allergens from causing a reaction.

• Bear in mind that standard hay fever medication (particularly antihistamine) does not work for everyone. Pregnant or breastfeeding women cannot use antihistamines and must seek advice about alternative remedies and avoidance measures.

Preventive strategies 

• Avoid the outdoors between 5-10 am. Save outside activities for late afternoon or after a heavy rain, when pollen levels are lower. 
  
  

• Keep windows in your home and car shut to lower exposure to pollen. To keep cool, use air conditioners and avoid using window and attic fans. 
  
  

• Purchase an air purifier with a clean air delivery rate (CDR) suitable for the size of the room. Allergy UK have tested and approved several types (through their Seal of Approval system) to ensure that they adequately filter allergens from the air. 
  
  

• Wear wraparound-style sunglasses to keep pollen out of the eyes as much as possible. 
  
  

• Be aware that pollen can also be transported indoors on people and pets. 
  
  

• Dry your clothes in an automatic dryer rather than hanging them outside. Otherwise pollen can collect on clothing and be carried indoors. 
  
  

• Consult the pollen forecast to find out what is the likely risk for your area. Here is a general interpretation of the forecast: 
   Low forecast: only a few very susceptible people will be affected. Moderate forecast: many hay fever sufferers will get some symptoms. 
  High forecast: the majority of hay fever sufferers will get symptoms, in some these will be severe. 
  Very high forecast: most hay fever sufferers will have symptoms. Some people who do not usually get hay fever may have symptoms.

Trees