HAY fever sufferers at risk of deadly asthma attacks are being warned to “stay inside” today and over the coming days – as a massive pollen bomb hits the UK.
Warnings for ‘very high’ pollen levels are in place from today – and into the weekend – with grass season now upon us.
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An estimated 13 million Britons are plagued by symptoms of hay fever every summer from itchy eyes, a constant runny nose, headaches to irritating sneezes.
For people with asthma, high pollen levels can be fatal.
“More than three million people with asthma are affected by pollen and when levels are at their highest it can be deadly for those with a lung condition,” said Erika Radford from Asthma + Lung UK.
“When pollen particles are breathed in, they can cause inflammation in the airways and get into the lungs, making it harder for those with lung conditions to breathe which can be terrifying,” she explained.
However, Erica said there are things people with asthma can do to protect themselves.
“Checking pollen and air pollution forecasts in your local area every day is a good idea, so you can avoid going outdoors as much as possible on high pollen days,” she said.
“You should always have your reliever inhaler nearby, even when at home, in case pollen does trigger symptoms like breathlessness or chest tightness.
“Reliever inhalers quickly relax the muscles in the airways to help you breathe more easily when symptoms arise.
“Another thing you can do is to take antihistamine medicines to relieve your hay fever symptoms.
“In addition, your GP can prescribe a steroid nasal spray to help reduce the allergic reaction.”
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Asthma is a common condition. In the UK, 5.4 million people have asthma.
In the UK, 5.4 million people have asthma. This is about 8 in every 100 people.
People with asthma can get symptoms like wheezing, breathlessness, a cough or a tight chest.
Sometimes symptoms can get worse quickly. This is an asthma attack.
Symptoms can be triggered by things like exercise, allergens or changes in weather.
The most common symptoms of asthma are:
- Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
- Breathlessness
- A tight chest – it may feel like a band is tightening around it
- Coughing
See a GP if you think you or your child may have asthma, or you have asthma and are finding it hard to control.
Source: The NHS
Which areas are worst affected?
The South West, South East – including London – Wales, East of England and East and West Midlands will all be hit by ‘very high’ levels of pollen as of today.
The North West of England, Yorkshire and Northern Ireland will also be affected.
As of Thursday, the North West of England will see similar levels of pollen.
Residents living in the South West, Wales the North West and Northern Ireland will get some respite come Friday, a pollen drop to mix if ‘high’ and ‘medium’ levels.
Those in Strathclyde in Scotland are expected to take on the brunt of pollen that day, with levels set to rise to ‘very high’.
On Saturday, it looks like Central Tayside and Fyfe, and Northern Ireland will join with similarly high levels.
But hay fever hell is expected to peak on Sunday, when the entire UK is set to see ‘very high’ levels of pollen – apart from the most northern parts of Scotland.
Best hay fever treatments to buy online
1. Allergy Eye Mist
If you hate the thought of drops, consider an eye mist which works in the same way – just spray it once or twice onto closed eyelids to to three times a day.
Try Optrex ActiMist Double Action Spray Itchy Watery Eyes, £13.75. Boots Allergy Eye Mist, 10ml, £9.99, is suitable for all types of contact lenses too.
2. Cetirizine Allergy & Hay Fever Tablets
Products containing Cetirizine work to combat allergies without making you feel tired.
Superdrug’s pack of 30 tablets comes in at £5.45.
3. Hay Fever Relief Nasal Spray
For over-the-counter relief you could try Pirinase Allergy Relief Nasal Spray for Adults x 60 Sprays from Superdrug, £8.39.
Or for something on prescription, try Beclometasone Nasal Spray from ChemistClick, £5.49.
4. Vaseline
Dabbing a little bit of petroleum jelly around the edges of your nose works as a barrier to trap pollen before you breathe it in.
Try branded balms such as Haymax pure organic drug-free pollen barrier balm 5ml, £8.49. Or petroleum jelly such as Vaseline does just the same job for only a fraction of the price.
5. The Eye Doctor Allergy Hay Fever Compress
The Eye Doctor Allergy Hay Fever Compress has thermal dynamic fabric, which uses regulated evaporation to cool more rapidly.
It helps to reduce puffiness, swelling, itching, inflammation and even headaches, and comes with an adjustable comfy strap.
You can buy it at Superdrug for £8.99.
6. Throat spray
Ultra Chloraseptic Anaesthetic Throat Spray contains the active ingredient benzocaine which belongs to the group of medicines called local anaesthetics.
You can buy Ultra Chloraseptic Anaesthetic Throat Spray for £6 from Amazon.