Top tips to help you through hay fever season
Always check with a pharmacist or GP if you are combining products, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if it is for a child. However, many can be taken together. My ideal combination is one (and only one) antihistamine, an allergen barrier balm, one (and only one) steroid nasal spray and one or more other natural products.
Apply it around the rim of the nostrils and bones of the eyes to trap pollen before it gets in your eyes or is breathed in – less pollen, less reaction.
It can relieve most hay fever symptoms – sneezing, itchy, runny eyes, skin irritation, itchy nose and throat – but is less effective for nasal congestion. The most common are acrivastine, cetirizine, chlorphenamine, desloratadine, fexofenadine and loratadine. Many are available over the counter but some are prescription only.
Use a steroid nasal spray. They work by fighting inflammation and mucus production, reducing the allergic reaction of your nasal tissues to the inhaled allergen.
Keep pollen out of your body when outdoors. Wear wraparound sunglasses to help stop pollen getting in your eyes and a hat for your hair. Apply an allergen barrier balm before leaving home.
Keep pollen out of your home. Keep doors and windows closed when possible. Remove shoes at the door to prevent pollen being brought indoors. Vacuum and damp dust regularly – damp dusting helps stop pollen dispersing. If you have a pet, keep it well groomed and shampoo regularly.
Red onions, kale, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, blueberries and apples contain quercetin, a natural antihistamine. Beer, wine, spirits, dairy drinks and chocolate all contain histamine. Ginger and green tea work as natural antihistamines, while peppermint reduces congestion.
This can help you judge if your hay fever symptoms will be particularly severe on
any given day.
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TENS of thousands of children and adults with type 1 diabetes across England are to receive an “artificial pancreas” in a world-first initiative being rolled out by the NHS.
The groundbreaking device continually monitors a person’s blood glucose, then automatically adjusts the amount of insulin given to them through a pump.
Local NHS bodies have already started identifying eligible people who they believe could benefit from the Hybrid Closed Loop system – sometimes called an artificial pancreas.
The technology will cut out the need for finger-pricking blood tests and insulin injections, and help prevent life-threatening hypoglycaemic (low blood sugar levels) and hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels) attacks, which can lead to seizures, coma or even death.
It will also help reduce the annual £10 billion the NHS spends on treating people with diabetes for conditions such as strokes, blindness, kidney disease, and amputations.
The mass rollout of the device builds on a successful pilot, which saw 835 adults and children given devices to improve the management of their condition.
Dr Clare Hambling, National Clinical Director for diabetes, said: “This transformative technology holds the power to redefine the lives of those with type 1 diabetes.”
Professor Partha Kar, NHS national speciality advisor for diabetes, said: “This is great news for everyone with type 1 diabetes.
“This futuristic technology not only improves medical care but also enhances the quality of life for those affected”.
The National Institute of Health Care and Excellence recommends the devices should be rolled out to young people under 18, pregnant women with type 1 diabetes, and adults who have difficulty managing their condition (HbA1c of 58 mmol/mol – 7.5% or higher).
Gemma Lavery, 38, received one of the devices as part of the NHS pilot and calls the technology a “game changer”.
She said: “I no longer have to worry about work related stress affecting my blood glucose levels as the closed loop helps to sort this out before it becomes a problem.
“I can have a full night’s sleep without worrying about regular low glucose levels hindering my morning routine and I have found that my diabetes is more stable.”
Les Watson has been living with the condition for nearly 44 years. He said: “I now spend hardly any time interacting with the system other than at mealtimes or telling it I’m heading out to exercise.”
Colette Marshall, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “This really is a landmark moment and we’ll be working with the NHS and others to ensure a fair rollout that reaches people as quickly as possible.”