BLOW OVER

By KAREN CHESTER

Welcome to the arrival of peak hay fever season. According to NHS data, approximately 20% of UK residents su er from hay fever. Hay fever, medically known as allergic rhinitis, is caused by environmental allergens, such as pollens, dust mites, moulds, and animal dander.

When your nose or eyes meet microscopic allergens, your immune system identifies these airborne substances as harmful and produces antibodies against them. In spring, the allergens can be from the wind borne pollen of plants and di erent types of grass.

Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest. Hay fever will last for weeks or months, unlike a cold, which usually goes away after one to two weeks.

Some people experience symptoms now and again; for others, they can be persistent and severe. Common hay fever signs include: sneezing; runny or stu y nose; itchy throat; watery eye; congested nose; and snoring.

Complications may include: sleep disturbance; daytime tiredness; headaches; poor concentration; recurrent ear infections in children; recurrent sinus infections in adults; and asthma, which is more di cult to control When symptoms of hay fever strike, most of us reach for medication – like an antihistamine to give us much-needed relief. But not everyone has that option. Some hay fever su erers can’t use medicines, whether it’s because they’re pregnant, allergic to certain medications, or it’s just a personal preference. If that’s you, there’s no need to worry; there’s a whole range of natural remedies for hay fever to try. Here are four natural home remedies for hay fever season for you to try.

Evidence from a review of clinical trials suggests that acupuncture may ease nasal symptoms, lower the level of medication you need and generally improve your quality of life.

Healthy gut bacteria can play a huge part in keeping your immune system healthy. So it makes sense that it could also help during the hay fever season. Allergies and hay fever are immune responsive, which causes allergic reactions to di erent pollens, weeds, and grass. This isn’t a quick fix to give you immediate relief for hay fever symptoms – it’s a long game.

Lavender, frankincense and camomile are among the oils sometimes used to ease hay fever symptoms, but there’s no firm evidence of their e ectiveness. Try the calming aromas to see if they work for you. You could try putting a few drops of Eucalyptus oil into a bowl of hot water and breathe in the steam. This oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and could help to relieve a stu y nose.

Probably one of the sweetest home remedies, local honey can work wonders for hay fever su erers. Try your local farmers' market – this honey has to be local, as regular honey you find in a supermarket won’t do the trick, as the bees need to create the honey from local pollen. Once you start eating this, you’ll build up a natural tolerance to the pollen in your area.

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