How to avoid hay fever at the beach – a great day out for the whole family
Posted: 19th April 2018 | Posted by Costa
How to avoid hay fever at the beach – a great day out for the whole family
Summer is so close we can almost taste it. One glimpse of the sun and visions of hot summer days, melting ice cream, and breezy nights come flooding back. But for people with hay fever, these images are only reminders of the stinging eyes, runny noses, and endless sneezes that come with hay fever season in the UK. This usually runs from late March to September, when pollen counts are high, but for some, hay fever is a year-round attack.
Avoiding the problem
For children, the summer months provide the perfect opportunity to explore, play, relax, and spend time with their friends and family. School is out and the days are long, but up to 40% of children in the UK suffer from hay fever.
This means they spend more of their time inside, avoiding pollen to reduce their symptoms. Inside they have so many entertainment options to choose from. But these can never replace the benefits like fitness, better social interaction, and increased curiosity about the natural world that comes from being outside. So, having outdoor activity options for children and adults with hay fever can be beneficial.
A trip to the beach is an annual tradition for many families and can provide you with charming memories. Hay fever at the beach is less of a problem because the areas around the sea have significantly lower pollen counts than inland. This is a result of strong sea breezes that blow allergens away while moisture prevents pollen travelling too much in the air. Going in the water reduces contact with allergens as there is less around. Also, water around the nose acts as a pollen barrier. If you don’t want to get your face wet, Vaseline around the nose has the same effect.
But…
This doesn’t mean there is no pollen at the beach. Precautions, like taking medication and going at times when there are low pollen counts, are still useful. Pollen counts usually rise in the morning and peak at midday, so plan to go after that time. You can check online what the pollen count is on a particular day in a certain area to ensure you are not venturing out on the most pollen-saturated days.
What is great about coastal areas is that there are other activities you can do besides soaking up the sun or playing beach volleyball. The sea provides a great space to do watersports in a low-pollen, outdoor area. The UK has many beautiful beaches which offer activities like swimming, surfing, sailing, or even scuba diving. Your child can learn valuable skills, improve their fitness and learn about marine biology without the constant worry or irritation from their hay fever. Most importantly your child can have fun. It’s what summer is all about.
If you or your child suffers from hay fever, asthma, food or other allergies, our specialist consultants can help. London Allergy and Immunology Centre provides expertise in allergies, immunology, dermatology, and ENT. To find out more, visit our website, or book an appointment with our consultants.