HAY FEVER sufferers have been warned that a two-day ‘pollen bomb’ is set to hit Scotland this week.
The country is set to bask in 21C temperatures this week as summer finally arrives after a disappointing start to July saw yellow warnings for thunderstorms and rain issued.
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Weather maps from WXCharts show the mercury could rise to the low twenties in some parts as early as tomorrow.
But the warmer weather will also mean that the pollen count will soar tomorrow and Wednesday.
The higher temperatures allow birch trees to offload pollen into the air – which will keep people sneezing for several days.
Birch is the main pollen type across Scotland, with ash too in southern and central regions.
Many hay fever sufferers start to experience symptoms when the count reaches ‘medium’.
Pollen levels have remained ‘medium’ around in all regions across Scotland over recent weeks.
It will certainly be one of the worst times for hay fever sufferers
Max Wiseberg
But the next two days will see ‘high’ levels across four large areas of the country.
Dumfries, Galloway, Lothian and the Borders had low levels today but this will shoot up to high levels tomorrow and Wednesday before dropping to medium levels on Thursday and Friday.
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Central, Tayside and Fife had medium levels today which will rise to high levels until Wednesday and then return to medium again at the tail end of the week.
Strathclyde areas will follow the same pattern.
The Scottish Highlands had medium levels today, which will continue into tomorrow before high levels on Wednesday and then medium levels again on Thursday and Friday.
Allergens expert and creator of HayMax allergen barrier balms Max Wiseberg, says: “It will certainly be one of the worst times for hay fever sufferers.
“Many regions of the UK are forecast to have high and very high pollen counts for the foreseeable future. We are definitely in peak hay fever season.”
It’s estimated that half the British population suffer from hay fever symptoms, according to Allergy UK.
Many are plagued by symptoms of hay fever every summer – from itchy eyes, a constant runny nose, and headaches to irritating sneezes and a sore throat.
Avoid going out if possible when pollen counts are at their highest – in the early morning and early evening
Max Wiseberg
But for people with respiratory conditions, like asthma, high pollen levels can be fatal.
Asthma + Lung UK’s research suggests pollen is a trigger for 47 per cent of people with asthma and 27 per cent of those who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD).
This can cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing, a tight chest and breathlessness to flare up.
Max has advised hay fever sufferers what measures and precautions to take to help reduce the effects of the pollen.
Max added: “Avoiding the allergen is always key with any allergy, whatever it might be.
“Prevention is better than cure. Use an organic, drug-free allergen barrier balm such as HayMax, both at home and when you’re outdoors.
“Apply to the nostrils and around the bones of the eyes in the morning, throughout the day and at night. Independent university studies show that HayMax traps over a third of pollen before it enters the body. Less allergen, less reaction.
“Tie your hair up and wear a hat, cap or other head cover when outside to prevent pollen particles being caught in your hair.
The best hay fever treatments on a budget
1. Allergy Eye Mist
If you hate the thought of drops, consider an eye mist which works in the same way – just spray it once or twice onto closed eyelids to to three times a day.
Try Optrex hay fever relief eye drops, 10ml – £6, from Tesco.
2. Cetirizine Allergy & Hay Fever Tablets
Products containing Cetirizine work to combat allergies without making you feel tired.
Superdrug’s pack of 30 tablets comes in at £5.45.
3. Hay Fever Relief Nasal Spray
For over-the-counter relief you could try Pirinase Allergy Relief Nasal Spray for Adults x 60 Sprays from Pharmacy2U, £4.98
Or for something on prescription, try Beclometasone Nasal Spray from ChemistClick, £5.49.
4. Vaseline
Dabbing a little bit of petroleum jelly around the edges of your nose works as a barrier to trap pollen before you breathe it in.
Get a 50g pot for £1.80 at Boots.
5. The Eye Doctor Allergy Hay Fever Compress
The Eye Doctor Allergy Hay Fever Compress has thermal dynamic fabric, which uses regulated evaporation to cool more rapidly.
It helps to reduce puffiness, swelling, itching, inflammation and even headaches, and comes with an adjustable comfy strap.
You can buy it at Superdrug for £8.99.
6. Throat spray
Ultra Chloraseptic Anaesthetic Throat Spray contains the active ingredient benzocaine which belongs to the group of medicines called local anaesthetics.
You can buy Ultra Chloraseptic Anaesthetic Throat Spray for £6 from Amazon
“Wear wraparound sunglasses when outdoors to prevent pollen particles coming in contact with your eyes.
“Avoid going out if possible when pollen counts are at their highest – in the early morning and early evening.”
There are even some things you can do in your home to prevent hay fever symptoms.
Max added: “Wash your face (or your child’s face) as soon as you get home on high pollen count days. This will wash away allergens so that they can’t cause a reaction, and a cool compress will soothe sore eyes.
Hay fever can lead to tiredness, fatigue, exhaustion… These symptoms can in turn zap your energy levels leaving you feeling low and sluggish. So a good night’s sleep is important
Max Wiseberg
“Vacuum your home regularly, especially beds and fabrics to remove pollen. And damp dust surfaces – damp dusting removes pollen particles without dispersing them back into the air.
“Dry your clothes indoors rather than on an outdoor clothes line or dryer to prevent pollen particles being blown on to your clothes by the outside wind.
“If you own a pet then ensure that it is well groomed and shampooed as often as possible to remove pollen particles from its fur. It may be best to get someone to do this for you.
“Shower at night before sleeping to remove pollen particles from your hair and body.
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“Hay fever can lead to tiredness, fatigue, exhaustion and can also affect how you sleep and cause sleep disturbance and difficulty getting to sleep.
“These symptoms can in turn zap your energy levels leaving you feeling low and sluggish. So a good night’s sleep is important.”
Sun Health’s 14 tips to beat hay fever hell on a budget
SUMMER is here, which means the annual onslaught of dreaded hay fever symptoms is back with a vengeance.
Triggered when the immune system reacts to the allergen pollen, common hay fever symptoms include watery, itchy eyes, a tickly throat and a runny, congested nose.
Holly Shaw, a nurse adviser for charity Allergy UK, puts this down to “better diagnosis but also climate change, with warmer temperatures causing pollen seasons to start earlier and last longer”.
But if the go-to remedies of daily anti-histamine tablets, nasal sprays and balms from the chemist are not doing the trick, don’t lose hope, there are other hacks you can deploy.
From regularly showering and vacuuming the home to scoffing chocs, here are some tactics backed by experts not to be sneezed at . . .
- Wear wraparound sunglasses and a hat with a peak or big brim or go for a face mask
- On high pollen days, have a bath or shower and wash your hair. Change your clothes when you get home.
- Avoid mowing the lawn or raking leaves – ask someone else to step in.
- Try not to dry clothes or bed linen outside when the allergen count is high.
- Keep windows firmly closed, especially early in the morning and in the evening, when higher levels of pollen are released.
- Wipe down pets with a damp cloth, as they can bring pollen into the home. Also, think about keeping your dog or cat away from you if you can.
- Put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap particles before they can work their way up your nose.
- Take a few minutes each day to vacuum well, especially if you have deep-pile carpets. Hoover over upholstered furniture where particles may have spread through open window.
- Wipe down window panes and sills regularly.
- Wash your bedding once a week at a high temperature to remove any pollen that may have transferred from you and your clothes.
- Take vitamin D supplements. Research has shown they can regulate immune system cells that help to prevent allergic reactions.
- Experts say diets high in antioxidants such as broccoli, spinach, potato and carrot can help to ward off stuffy noses caused by hay fever.
- Dark chocolate can also help to reduce symptoms, it is said.
- If all else fails and you feel hay fever is ruining your life, or even causing asthma attacks, pay a visit to your doctor who could refer you to a specialist clinic
