Hay fever is a common allergy which affects approx 2 in 10 people in the UK and is caused by an allergy to pollen. Hay fever is traditionally associated with grass or hay pollens, the most common is grass pollen. Grass pollen normally affects people each year from late spring to early summer.
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However, pollen is also produced by other plants, trees and flowers, tree pollen usually affects sufferers in early spring to late spring whilst nettles and docks (weed pollen) pollinate from early spring through until early autumn.
As the symptoms of hay fever occur at the same time or in the same season each year, it is also known as season allergic rhinitis. Hay fever causes the nasal passage to become inflamed and is an allergic response. Your immune system (the body's natural defence) responds as if it were being attacked by a virus.
These symptoms will vary from person to person, and in some instances, only nasal symptoms can occur whilst other suffers may only be affected by itchy and watery eyes. Sometimes, the symptoms may be so severe that they affect sleep and interfere with school, studying or work.
The type and amounts of pollen vary depending on what month it is and most will notice that their symptoms worsen during a particular month.
Children who are school-age along with teenagers often develop hay fever, and, in many cases, the condition improves or goes away. Hay fever can run in families and if you suffer from asthma or eczema, you are more likely to develop hay fever. Hay fever sufferers are also more likely develop asthma or eczema as well.
Even though hay fever doesn't pose a serious threat to health, it can have a negative impact on a person's quality of life. People with very severe hay fever often find that it can disrupt their productivity at school or work.
Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis) is another common complication of hay fever. Children may also develop a middle ear infection (otitis media) as a result of hay fever.
During the Spring and Summer when the pollen count is high, there are things you can do to help alleviate hay fever symptoms. Although there is no cure, you can treat hay fever and avoid making symptoms worse.
Consult your doctor on the best medication to take during hay fever season, this maybe in the form of a nasal spray or anti inflammatory. However, it's best to explore these options with a doctor in case of any side effects.
An effective ventilation systems can filter out larger particles, such as pollen, preventing them from entering the home. Having a ventilation system in place means there’s no need to open the window, which can cause a problem for those with pollen allergies.
Some sufferers of seasonal health conditions, such as hay fever and pollen allergies, have noticed improvements in their condition when an effective ventilation system is fitted. A constant supply of filtered fresh air entering the home can help to control pollutants in the indoor atmosphere.
Our products can help alleviate the symptoms of hay fever by bringing in a constant flow of fresh, filtered, clean air into your home, reducing the allergens that are found in the air.
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