What Actually Helps Hayfever?

Ah, hayfever season– hello old enemy! You're back again, just in time for summer, to make our lives insufferable, what with all the sneezing, itching, eye-watering, blocked noses, skin blotches, and-and-and...

This year, however, we're not going to take it lying down. Or even standing up. In fact, we're not going to take it at all. We reveal exactly what hayfever is, how you can avoid getting it, and if that's not possible, how to get rid of it.

So where you've been asking, 'What are the symptoms of hayfever?' 'Where can I get the hayfever injection?' or 'Does honey help hayfever?' here's all the answers to your most asked questions.

What is hayfever?

Hay fever is an allergy to pollen, specifically grass pollen. Indeed 95% of hayfever sufferers are allergic to it. Not only that, but it's often caused by an allergy to tree pollen and weed pollen too.

Why? Well, a hayfever sufferer's body identifies pollen as harmful to its immune system. Therefore, when it comes across it, it will attempt to expel it – normally via sneezing. It then also releases a number of chemicals to fight the spread of what it (incorrectly) believes is an infection. Thinking about it, it's all quite adorable really, but nonetheless still intensely irritating. Because it's those chemicals that cause the wretched watery eyes and runny nose and all the rest of it.

Interestingly, according to Experimental Researches on the Causes and Nature of Catarrhus Æstivus, hay-fever or hay-asthma symptoms were [first documented in England in 1819](Experimental Researches on the Causes and Nature of Catarrhus Æstivus) - the first country to ever do so.

What are the symptoms of hayfever?

According to the NHS there's a pretty lengthy list of hayfever symptoms:

Lucky us...

When is hayfever at its worst?

Generally speaking, on those hot, dry and dusty days between March and September. Tree pollen is released between March and May, grass pollen between May and August, and weed pollen, from June to September. So if you're a sufferer, you may as well stay in bed for all those sunny months. Sigh!

What is the 'pollen count'?

Wondering why hayfever is so bad this year? You'll have the pollen count to thank for that. The 'pollen count' is the measurement of the number of grains of pollen identified per cubic metre of air. You'll hear about it a lot on weather forecasts. The higher the number (or count), the more hayfever sufferers will suffer. 50 is considered low, whereas 1,000 is considered high.

How do you avoid getting hayfever?

Sometimes it's nigh on impossible. However... there are a number of things you can do to keep the worst of it at bay.

1.) Don't sit in fields of long grass (pretty obvious)

2.) Sleep with your windows shut at night to stop the pollen getting in

3.) Stay indoors when the pollen count is high

4.) Alcohol worsens hayfever as it contains histamine – a chemical that sets off allergy symptoms – so it's best avoided

5.) Wash your hands and face regularly

6.) Avoid pet fur and cigarettes; tobacco smoke can set off symptoms too

7.) Dry your clothes inside

8.) Go to the beach – very little pollen to be found there!

What is the hayfever injection?

If feel you're struggling more than most with the symptoms of hayfever, your GP might refer for immunotherapy. According to the NHS, this means you'll be given 'small amounts of pollen as an injection or tablet to slowly build up your immunity to pollen.' If you're looking into this kind of treatment then consider starting it in the winter for the most effective results.

Over-the-counter hayfever medicines

Remember to contact your local GP before trying new medication. Whether it's best hayfever tablets, the best hayfever nasal spray, or even the best hayfever eyedrops, here's all you need for some well deserved hayfever relief

Natural hayfever remedies

There's no getting away from it entirely – and we want to be honest with you about that – but there are some things you can do/eat (natural things) to help at least limit some of hayfever's tiresome effects.

And a reminder - if you're really struggling with your symptoms, make a point of booking in with you GP or pharmacist - they're there to help.