Summer Heaven, Hayfever Hell (My Experience of Hayfever)

Member Name: suzie_wong

Product:	My Experience of Hayfever
Date:	05/07/01 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Don't have to mow the lawn, Can be controlled

Disadvantages: Itchy Eyes, Look Like Rudolf

Everyone looks forward to the summer. Hot weather, lying in the park, going to the beach, having barbecues and garden parties and wearing little more than T-shirt and shorts. Yes, I love the summer too, except for one thing. I spend each and every day with a nose like Rudolf, itchy eyes and blotchy skin. Very attractive to the opposite sex, especially when upon being asked my name and I have a sneezing fit so strong that the entire contents of my nose decide to show themselves by running sexily down my chin! (Yes it has happened, and no I haven’t seen him again!) Hayfever makes my summer hell!

Hayfever is a common allergic condition which usually starts around the end of spring and early summer and goes on in some cases right until October, apparently it depends on what type of pollen you are allergic to.

But why call it hayfever when it is not caused by hay and is rarely accompanied with a fever? I can think of better names for it, but I don’t think that they are suitable to written down! Doctors prefer to call it seasonal allergic rhinitis, but that is a bit of a mouthful and not very easy to say, especially when your nose is bunged up and a build up of phlegm in your throat has made your voice sound like that of a thirteen year old boy going through puberty.

Hayfever is caused by airborne pollen from trees, plants, weeds, moulds and grasses, (which is the most common), which drop into the eye or is inhaled through the nose. Symptoms developed in the spring are usually caused by tree pollen whereas in the height of summer, the symptoms are caused by grass pollen. The only good thing about grass pollen is that it gets me out of mowing the lawn!

The majority of people are allergic to just one type of pollen, but the unfortunate few, like myself, are sensitive to all types of pollen and suffer for most of the summer.

The symptoms of hayfever are usually
Sneezing and runny nose (Always carr
y a hankie)
Blocked nose
Itching of the nose, mouth and eyes
Sore throat
Swollen eyes
Headaches

They occur within a few minutes of being exposed to the allergen and the first symptom is usually itching as histamine stimulates the nerves in the eyes and nasal passages. This results in sneezing (which is very inconvenient when driving) in an attempt to expel the irritating substance. Next histamine triggers the nerves that control the production of watery secretions to try and flush out the irritation. When this doesn’t work the blood vessels in the nose cause a ‘nasal discharge’. This in turn results in nasal congestion and red puffy eyes.

The mainstay of hayfever treatment is antihistamines. They can control the itchiness, sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes, but can be expensive, especially the none drowsy type, and you usually only get seven. My advice is get them prescribed from the doctor. You can usually obtain them on repeat prescription and get around a month’s worth. This is even more cost effective if you don’t pay for your medication.

Other things to try to help alleviate the symptoms of hayfever are

For itchy eyes – put some cold witch hazel on a tissue and put over the eye. This will help get rid of the puffiness and cool the eye down.

Drink nettle tea – It looks revolting and smells worse but it does help. I don’t know why or how but it does. You can buy it from health food shops and some supermarkets. You don’t have to pick your own nettles and boil them!

Check for high pollen counts on the TV, radio and newspapers

Avoid being outside between 5pm and 7pm and keep the windows and doors shut during these times

Sleep with you window shut

Rinse your hair before you go to bed to get rid of any pollen that you have collected during the day

Use air filters or ionisers at home or work
to clear the air

Avoid areas with long grass and mowing the lawn. If this is necessary, wear wrap around sunglasses to protect your eyes. You can wear a mask over your nose and mouth but I found this scared the neighbours!

Avoid damp areas where they may be mould

Hayfever can make you feel miserable, depressed and unsociable, but only if you let it. I used to feel sorry for myself every time summer came around but by taking antihistamines to control the symptoms and not exposing myself to triggers for too long too often I am now back to being the life and soul of the party that I am in the winter!

Summary: