The Telegraph recently reported on our early dose of mild weather and how it is likely to spark an early pollination and allergies. The article revealed that there are 12 million hay fever sufferers in Britain, all of whom will be keeping a keen eye on the weather forecasts and pollen counts as they brace themselves for an itchy, sniffly spring and summer. All winter long we have longed for milder weather and blossoming trees but now hay fever season is nearly upon us, we need to be practical and look at ways to prevent or cure its symptoms so our spring and summer isn't ruined. So if you or someone you know suffers from hay fever, this quick guide to hay fever is for you. Read on to find out what you are dealing with and how to combat it:
Hay Fever: The Basics
What Is Hay Fever?
Simply put, hay fever is an allergy to pollen. Pollen is the fine powder produced by flowers, plants and trees. It is carried from high pollen areas to the faces of hay fever sufferers by the wind, birds and bees. Grass and hay pollens are particularly aggravating to hay fever sufferers but grass pollen is the most common - and often the most severe - allergen. Spring and summer (May through July) are grass pollination season and incidentally, hay fever is at its worst during these seasons. Your immune system reacts to the pollen and causes several (in some cases debilitating) symptoms. Hay fever is the pollen affecting the cells in the lining of your nose and eyes, causing them to release chemicals that inflame the eyes and nose
What Are The Symptoms?
- Common symptoms are:
- A runny, itchy nose
- A blocked nose
- Itchy, watery and red eyes
- An itchy throat
Less common symptoms are:
- Loss of smell
- Facial pain
How Do People Alleviate Hay Fever Symptoms?
Pollen is impossible to avoid completely but trying to limit your exposure can help. Here are some ways to go about limiting your exposure to pollen:
- Check television, newspaper, radio and internet weather forecasts for the pollen count (the number of pollen grains per cubic metre of air) Note: a high count is 50 or more
- Stay indoors as much as possible, keeping doors and windows closed
- Avoid grassy places, camping and mowing/mowed lawns
- After being outdoors (especially in the countryside) shower and wash your hair
- Keep your car windows closed and think about investing in a pollen filter for your air vents
- Use sprays, medication, drops and antihistamines; they can be over the counter or prescribed
Artificial Grass: The New Solution
Artificial grass is actually a great solution to hay fever because it does not contain the same irritant materials as natural grass does. Natural grass houses all sorts of irritant particles like pollen, dust and mould. When disturbed (by mowing etc.) these particles become airborne and affect hay fever sufferers, making your own back garden you worst enemy in summer months. Whilst synthetic grass won't cause your hay fever to disappear altogether, it will reduce the highly irritant grass pollen count in your immediate home vicinity so you can at least sit out and enjoy your own garden.
If you are interested in artificial grass as a way to combat hay fever then please contact the Artificial Lawn Company today - we are happy to help!