Hey fever hacks ASKS THE EXPERTS TO SHARE TIPS AND TRICKS THEY USE TO TREAT THEIR OWN ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
NATASHA HOLT
SALTY SUCCESS
“Aside from taking one-a-day antihistamines like fexofenadine, I clear my nasal passages of allergens and mucus using a saline solution,” says superintendent pharmacist Carolina Gonclaves ( pharmica.co.uk).
“Mix half a teaspoon of salt into a small cup of hot water until dissolved. Once cooled, dip a cotton bud in and gently wipe inside the nostrils, taking care not to go too deep. Or use in a syringe or dropper to gently wash the insides of the nostrils, though this requires care.”
HOSE YOUR HOUNDS
“Having got a dog last year, I found my symptoms triggered as he brought in grass pollen on his fur,” says GP and allergy specialist Dr Helen Evans-Howells (drhelenallergy.co.uk). “He now has to be washed after every walk.
“I started taking a prescriptiononly combination nasal spray, which contains antihistamine and a nasal steroid and it revolutionised my symptoms. Frustratingly not all GPs are able to prescribe this. If they can’t, try a steroid nasal spray containing fluticasone or mometasone.”
SAY YES TO YEAST
“I suffered badly with hay fever in my teens but since eating a fully plantbased diet, my symptoms have been milder and more manageable,” says Dr Clare Day, NHS doctor and cohost of the In A Nutshell podcast.
“Studies show you can improve allergy-related symptoms by increasing fibre intake and eating anti-inflammatory flavonoids found in foods like onions, shallots, apples, berries, tea, tomatoes, grapes, nuts and seeds.
“I also sprinkle a daily spoonful of dried yeast flakes on savoury food.
“It has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects, which improve my symptoms. Alcohol increases the production of histamine, the chemical which causes sneezing, itching and inflammation, so I avoid this too.”
BECOME IMMUNE
“I had immunotherapy 30 years ago,” says senior paediatric consultant Dr José Costa (thechildrensallergy.co.uk). “It has given me
EASE THE SNEEZES: There are several ways to reduce hay fever symptoms
long-lasting tolerance to tree pollen and involved an injection under the skin, but can come as a liquid spray or tablet.
“Giving regular low doses of the allergen trains the immune system to ignore the allergen, developing an immune tolerance. Treatment takes three years and leads to decades of reversal, or near reversal of symptoms. Before that, I used to frequently wash my face and eyes, and spray my nose with either saline or running water. Inhaling either mint or eucalyptus-based nasal sticks or taking mint lozenges helped with nasal decongestion. I found HEPA filters and window screens dramatically decreased the pollen circulating in the air at home.”
DRY CLOTHES INSIDE
“I always wash my hands and change my clothes if I have been outside to avoid bringing pollen into the house,” says pharmacist Katie Pickles (well.co.uk).
“I vacuum with a HEPA filter regularly, dust with a damp cloth and dry my clothes indoors to limit pollen in my house. This really does help.
“I experience itchy eyes and nasal congestion and find a Corticosteroid nasal spray is most effective for me. I wear wraparound sunglasses when I’m out to limit pollen exposure.”
GET AHEAD
“I started getting hay fever at seven and still have it over 50 years later,” says Dr Beverley Adams-Groom, pollen expert (clarityn.co.uk).
“I start taking my medication a month before the pollen season to avoid getting that first bout of symptoms and ensure that I take it consistently. Sufferers who do this have a better season and avoid becoming very sensitised to the pollen.”