The arrival of spring is a joy for most of us, but for 15 to 20 per cent of Britons, hay fever can cast a dark cloud over the season. Hay fever is an allergy caused when the body makes antibodies to fight environmental triggers, such as pollen. Trees, grass and plants start to release their pollen in April, and the symptoms can last until October for some people. Children and teenagers are most commonly affected by the allergy.
- Symptoms include a runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing and sometimes facial pain and headaches, and the severity of symptoms usually depends on how high the pollen count is. The pollen count is the number of grains of pollen in one cubic metre of air. Fewer than 30 grains of pollen in every cubic metre of air is considered low, 30-49 grains moderate, 50-149 grains high and 150 grains very high. Symptoms usually occur when the pollen count reaches 50 and above
- Hay fever is usually diagnosed by a GP using the skin prick test. Your GP will prick the surface of the skin with a needle that has a tiny amount of pollen on it. If it goes go red, swells up or becomes itchy, this could indicate that hay fever is present. Antihistamines, nasal sprays or eye drops are most commonly used to treat hay fever. Antihistamines are most effective at treating itching, sneezing and watery eyes, but they may not help a blocked nose, in which case, a nasal spray is recommended. Eye drops are used to soothe sore and itchy eyes.
90% of people in Britain with hay fever are allergic to grass pollen
50% Chance of inheriting an allergy if your parents have allergies
7 The age at which hay fever usually develops
Source: NHS Choices
