Hello hay fever – a pollen survival guide

There’s an excitement during this time of year as we anticipate the arrival of warmer weather. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, leaves are sprouting, flowers are blooming and many of us are… well, sneezing and swollen from allergies. The onset of itchy eyes, the never-ending urge to sneeze and that constant feeling of irritation… you guessed it, its hay fever season.

Allergic Rhinitis

Hay fever, otherwise known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction that affects the nose, eyes, sinus and throat. As Better Health Channel explains, hay fever can occur during any time of the year. People are susceptible in the spring season as more pollen arises from new flora in the atmosphere, increasing the likelihood of irritation.

Causes

Ever get that itch in your nose that just can’t be tamed, no matter how hard you squeeze, scratch or rub? That’s the work of dust, pollen and other teeny particles that get trapped in the hairs and mucus inside your nasal passages. People with hay fever are allergic to specific pollens; the immune system treats these foreign substances accordingly by launching an ‘attack’ on the unwanted particles entering your body. It results in the nose swelling and increasing mucus production in an attempt to block these elements from infiltrating.

Hay fever is a misleading term – you might be wondering why you’re getting feverish without any sign of hay. The term originates from hay harvesting season, where allergies caused by grass and hay were rife. Allergic rhinitis allergies are produced by ‘airborne pollen’ – namely from grasses, weeds and trees. These pollen grains are then carried by birds, bees and the wind to spread across plants; working to fertilise and reproduce plant species.

Asthma and hay fever

According to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA), some people with allergic rhinitis may also have asthma or, when left untreated, may increase the risk of developing asthma.

Thunderstorm asthma, a sudden respiratory break down instigated by local thunderstorms, arises through a combination of meteorological and biological factors. The Conversation describes it as ranging from small, isolated events to city-wide epidemics (e.g. Melbourne’s November 2016 thunderstorm asthma incident).

Thunderstorm asthma is mainly triggered by an allergic reaction to grass pollen – this specific particle is multiplied through higher rainfall in winter and spring. People with asthma should be aware of their asthma action plan and carry appropriate preventers. Hay fever sufferers are also advised to seek instruction from a GP or pharmacist if symptoms become unmanageable.

Symptoms

Hay fever symptoms are generally the same for most people:

• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery and irritated eyes
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy ears, nose and throat
• Headaches

Though annoying, these symptoms shouldn’t be debilitating. If you find your hay fever causing difficulties with everyday functioning and breathing, seek advice from your doctor.

Diagnosis

Green Day famously sang “Wake Me Up When September Ends” – they were probably referring to the end of the first month of spring and a relief from allergies. But for some people in various areas in Australia, hay fever can last up until Summer, or even throughout the year, if pollen levels remain high.

Try to take note of the occurrence and timing of your symptoms prior to visiting your doctor in order to understand the environment in which allergies are more likely to occur. An allergy-trained doctor can then perform allergy tests (e.g. skin prick or blood allergen tests) to distinguish which particles are causing you sneezing, coughing or itching fits.

Treatment

There are several ways to prevent or reduce symptoms of hay fever, as suggested by Better Health Channel:

• Use an app or website that measures the pollen count index, such as Weather Zone, to see the pollen forecast
• Stay indoors on high pollen count days and windy spring days after thunderstorms
• Rinse your eyes with cold water if irritated to remove any pollen
• Reduce exposure to dust, dust mites and animal hair

Your doctor may also prescribe medication that can relieve pressing symptoms (dependent on your condition and medical history), including:

• Allergen immunotherapy – exposure to increasing amounts of allergen extracts to slowly reduce the intensity of symptoms
• Intranasal corticosteroid sprays – nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis relief

There are also a range of treatments that are available over the cwounter, just ask your pharmacist:

• Non-sedating antihistamines – Pre-emptive relief from sneezing and itching
• Eye drops – relief for irritated eyes
• Decongestant sprays – used in short spurts to relieve nasal blockage (prolonged use can damage the lining in the nose)
• Many complimentary medicines such as Garlic & Horseradish, Ginger and Pro-biotics may assist in boosting the immune system and reduce reactivity to pollens; however, the best way to consume these natural medicines is in their natural form in food.