What is hayfever?
Hayfever is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis because the symptoms are typically seasonal, recurring annually when the atmosphere levels of pollen or spores are highest.
Hayfever is an allergy to tree or grass pollen. Mould spores can also cause hayfever symptoms. The pollen grains (or spores) irritate the delicate linings of the nose and the eyes which become inflamed. This inflammation day after day leads to a variety of symptoms including: 

Frequent sneezing (especially in quick succession)

Runny eyes or nose (sufferers can have a runny nose all day during the pollen season)

Blocked nose, not eased by blowing

Dry/itchy tongue/throat

Itchy nose and eyes

Headaches, poor sleep and concentration

Why do these symptoms occur?
If you are “allergic” to pollen/spores, the body reacts as if the pollen were an invading virus or poison. The body’s defence system against attack, the immune system, overreacts causing the irritation and inflammation of hayfever.

The peaks and troughs!

• Mould spores are present in the air between May and October, peaking in late summer (August/September) 
• The tree pollen season extends from February to late May 
• Grass pollen season runs from May to September, with a peak in midsummer (June/July) 
• Pollen seasons are subject to geographical variation; pollen usually peaks later in the North than in the South. 

During the summer months, grass pollen counts (the number of pollen grains in a cubic metre of air) are reported daily by national and local media. Grass pollen hayfever symptoms are closely correlated with local pollen levels, usually beginning when the count exceeds 50. The weather can affect the pollen count

• On a sunny day, pollen counts will be high, rising throughout the afternoon and peaking in the early evening (5-6pm in rural areas, later in towns and cities)
• On a rainy day the air will be cleared and pollen counts will be lower than normal
  Symptom control and relief 

Things you can do:

• Check the pollen count and stay indoors when it is high 
• Avoid being outdoors in the early evening when pollen counts peak 
• Sleep with windows closed 
• Keep car windows and doors closed (some cars are fitted with pollen filters) 
• Ask someone else to mow the lawn 
• Wear sunglasses to stop pollen entering the eyes 
• Escape to the seaside where pollen counts are lower 
• Seek treatment from your pharmacist or doctor 

Treatment options

Preventative Medication

Steroid nasal sprays - These medicines help to prevent the irritation and inflammation and so treat and control the symptoms suffered. They should be started before your hayfever symptoms begin and continued throughout the season, even when symptoms are absent. The reason for this is that exposure to pollen changes the lining of the nose making it even more sensitive to the next batch of pollen it meets.
Some preventative medication can be bought over the counter at a Pharmacy, but if you feel your symptoms are not well controlled, seek medical advice.

Antihistamines – can be used during the season to control breakthrough symptoms.

Decongestants – should only be used for short periods (up to one week). Prolonged use is not advised as this can exacerbate your nasal problems.

We hope this information is useful.

If you require further support or information please contact:

THE BRITISH ALLERGY FOUNDATION
DEEPDENE HOUSE
30 BELLEGROVE ROAD
WELLING
KENT DA16 3PY

Tel: 020 8303 8525 www.allergyfoundation.com

AIR POLLUTION INFORMATION SERVICE (up to date information on your area’s air quality)

Tel: 0800 556677 www.airquality.co.uk