Sunshine, warmer days, busier beer gardens. Spring brings with it a lot of good stuff – but a lot of us are also suffering from the seasonal sniffles. Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen, grasses, and weeds, and roughly 13 million people in the UK suffer from it. That’s 1 in 4 adults, and 1 in 10 children, making it an extremely common side effect of the change in seasons. If you’re suffering from this, and are wondering how to get some relief from the rising pollen count, we’re here to help. Keep reading to discover the triggers, symptoms, and remedies to the all-too-common reactions of hayfever.
What causes hayfever?
Hayfever is a very common reaction to the rising amount of pollen in the air that comes with the change in seasons. It can happen in spring from the tree pollens, early summer from the grass pollens, and even in autumn from the weed pollens, so understanding how to manage it is vital for your year-round comfort. It can occur for anyone, too, but some people are more susceptible than others: genetics and immune sensitivity both play a big part in how much the pollen will affect you, so if a parent already suffers from hayfever, pay attention. You may be more likely to pick it up at some point.
Common hayfever symptoms
Wondering if what you’re experiencing is hayfever? There are a few symptoms that are a big tell, so if spring comes around and you’re not feeling 100%, keep an eye out for the following things:
- Runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, watery, or red eyes
- Sneezing fits
- Post-nasal drip
- Itchy throat, ears, or mouth
- Fatigue or brain fog
- Coughing or wheezing
Natural ways to help relieve hayfever symptoms
Hayfever is never fun to experience, but if your case is mild, there are a few natural ways to support your body and relieve your symptoms without having to go to your GP:
1. Stay up-to-date with supplements
Staying on top of your supplements year round is a great way to curb your hayfever symptoms, potentially relieving the worst of it before it hits. Try to take seasonal supplements year-round to give your immune system as much support as possible, considering the following ones to avoid the main hayfever symptoms when the seasons start changing:
- Vitamin C: A natural antihistamine and immune support, vitamin C gummies can be a great way to help your body manage the growing levels of pollen if you’re sensitive to it.
- Quercetin: With plenty of supplement options, quercetin is a plant flavonoid that may reduce histamine release. It’s found in various foods such as apples and onions, as well as synthetic supplements, and can help to prevent the itchiness hayfever tends to result in.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Taking supplements such as fish oil or flaxseed oil can increase your intake of omega-3, reducing the inflammation in your body that hayfever can cause.
- Probiotics: Any form of probiotic will support your gut health, which can improve your immune response to any allergens in the air.
- Bee pollen/local honey: Consuming honey can give you anecdotal support for building tolerance to pollen, but if you suffer from severe allergies, these defenses won’t be enough for your symptoms.
- Magnesium: Taking magnesium may support relaxation of airway muscles, and reduce allergic responses when the pollen count rises.
2. Consider adding to your diet
Your diet may have more of an impact on your hayfever symptoms than you think. Here are some simple things to add to your daily dietary intake that could minimise the effects you’ll experience when the seasons start changing:
- Anti-inflammatory foods: Adding things like leafy greens, berries, turmeric, and oily fish may help your body to fight off inflammatory forces.
- Avoid foods high in antioxidants: Foods like citrus fruits, red peppers, and broccoli may increase the level of allergic reaction your body creates. While antioxidants are generally useful for your body, too many can influence a Th2 response, which is linked to hayfever.
- Avoid dairy or processed foods: If you suffer from any hayfever symptoms, avoiding dairy or processed food may help to avoid excess mucus production.
- Focus on hydration: Drinking plenty of water helps thin mucus and reduce sinus pressure, significantly relieving the more oppressive symptoms of hayfever.
3. Look into your lifestyle
While diet and supplements play a huge part in relieving hayfever symptoms, there are a few things you can do in your day-to-day to help make it more manageable:
- Close windows: Keep your windows closed on high pollen days, especially morning and evening, to prevent the worst of your symptoms hitting,
- Remove any traces: After you’ve been outdoors, make sure you shower and change clothes before relaxing in the evening to get rid of the small traces of pollen.
- Dry your laundry inside: When you’ve done laundry in the spring/summer, dry your clothes indoors to avoid pollen sticking to them and worsening your symptoms.
- Protect your property: Consider using pollen filters in your home or car to stop the worst of the hayfever triggers affecting you in the areas you spend the most time in.
- Look out for your eyes: In the spring and summer months, try to wear sunglasses outdoors whenever possible to protect your eyes from pollen.
- Carry nasal spray: Try a saline nasal spray to clear pollen from nasal passages when your symptoms are worsening.
When to see a doctor
In more severe cases, you’ll need to visit your GP to relieve your hayfever symptoms. If you find yourself suffering year-round, you know that over-the-counter options aren’t helping, or you’ve realised that hayfever is triggering other symptoms such as asthma (including wheezing or breathlessness) or sinus infections (including pain, fever, or thick mucus), you should make an appointment with your doctor to discuss stronger treatments.
Hayfever can be very disruptive to your life in the spring and summer months, but there are various ways to make it more manageable. From seasonal supplements, to diet, to smart lifestyle choices, you can make a real difference to your symptoms if they’re really affecting your life. But remember, always consult a healthcare professional if your hayfever symptoms persist or worsen!
