5 seasonal allergy dos and don’ts for this summer

27th March 2023

5 seasonal allergy dos and don’ts for this summer

It’s that time of year for around a quarter of people in the UK. Yes, it’s time for seasonal allergies. Call it hay fever or allergic rhinitis, it’s all the same: runny noses, scratchy throats, and itchy eyes. It makes the spring and summer months almost unbearable for some, depending on the severity of their symptoms.

And every year you might end up asking yourself the same questions. What’s the pollen count? Is it worth going outside? Should I take an antihistamine now or later? Oh the joys. So to stop your fretting, we’ve put together some essential seasonal allergy dos and don’ts. Let’s look at how you can make your summer that little bit easier.

Don’t: Leave the windows open

We’ll start with a basic tip. As you’ll likely already know, it’s the pollen in the air that aggravates our hay fever and sets us off. So if you leave your window open, you’re practically inviting it into your home.

This goes double at nighttime. If you leave the windows open in your bedroom while you sleep, not only do you let the pollen inside, you let it affect you while you don’t even notice. Next thing you know, you’ll wake up with a stuffy nose and dry throat, getting your day off to the worst possible start!

Do: Take more frequent showers

It’s inevitable that, at some point, you’re going to have to leave your home and go outside. And when you do, you’re walking amongst the pollen in the air. It will stick to your clothes, in your hair, and on your pets (if you have any).

So when you get home, make it a habit of first changing clothes (to avoid spreading the pollen on your furniture) and preferably have a shower too. This way, you wash any pollen off your skin and out of your hair. Pets can’t escape this either. Give them more frequent baths to get rid of any pollen clinging to them.

Don’t: Dry your clothes outside

Sometimes, there’s nothing better than putting on fresh, air-dried clothes. Other times, there’s nothing worse. The pollen that sticks to you when you go for a walk is just as likely to stick to any clothes you hang up outside.

If you don’t have a tumble dryer, you’re better off doing them inside in a cool room. You may want to invest in a dehumidifier to draw out some of that excess moisture and prevent it from affecting your room.

Do: Keep up your exercise routine

From our tips so far, you might think you’re better off just avoiding going outside altogether. But that’s excessive – you can still enjoy the outdoors, just with a little extra caution. And this still applies if you like to go for a jog.

If your idea of exercise involves heading outdoors, you can still do that as long as you change when you go out. Pollen levels are, typically, higher in the morning and evening. So instead of that 6am stroll, maybe move it to your lunch break.

Don’t: Overmedicate

Antihistamines are an over-the-counter medication you can buy at any good supermarket or chemist. And they’re almost essential for people with hay fever as it greatly reduces the severity of symptoms. So, to some people, it may make sense to have one or two more than the recommended dose.

You should never do this. Always follow the advice on the box and talk to your doctor before you take any extra self-medication steps. Those guidelines are there for a reason, and overmedication can do more harm than good. Talk to your GP or an allergy specialist if you find antihistamines aren’t doing enough for you. They may be able to prescribe a stronger alternative.

And those are our seasonal allergy dos and don’ts! Some of them are common sense but just might not occur to you in your day-to-day life. But now that you know them, you can spend more of your summer enjoying the weather than blowing your nose.

If your seasonal allergies are interfering with your life, then get in touch. Our allergists can help you with your hay fever and ensure you don’t have to suffer more than necessary. Reach out on 02031 433 449 or register as a new patient today.

It’s almost tree pollen season – here’s what you can do to help your allergies

22nd February 2023

It’s almost tree pollen season – here’s what you can do to help your allergies

While hay fever is seen as a ‘summer’ allergy, it can actually start much earlier than that for some people. While we may typically think of hay fever (otherwise known as allergic rhinitis) as an allergy to flower pollen, it usually isn’t. For some, it means an allergy to grass. Or weeds. Or trees, which are due to start causing symptoms any day now.

If you have the condition, you’ll know the familiar feelings of a stuffy nose, itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, or whatever your personal pains are. And starting from around March – or potentially even earlier – tree pollen could cause an allergic reaction. What can you do about it? Let’s take a look at some simple advice.

Look at pollen counts

It helps to know what you’re up against. Even if it seems early, make a habit of checking the pollen count every day. This will give you a rough idea of how you can react, and also help you monitor when you react.

You might find that low-pollen days don’t really affect you, so you don’t have to worry too much. Or you might discover the opposite – that it doesn’t take much to set you off. Getting into this rhythm will help with the next point…

Change it up

Knowing the pollen count means you can react to it. As we mentioned earlier, it has a way of affecting your eyes, nose, and throat. So you could use this knowledge to change how you dress. Maybe wear a mask to prevent you from inhaling pollen. Or wear sunglasses to keep it out of your eyes.

You might also find it helpful to change what you do when you get home. As you go about your day, you’ll pick up pollen. This will stick in your hair and on your clothes. If you don’t already, make a routine of changing when you immediately get back. Slip on some comfier clothes and put what you’ve been wearing in the wash basket.

And if you’re a ‘morning shower’ person, you could switch to showers in the evening. This will let you wash any pollen off your hair and skin, preventing you from taking it to bed with you, further aggravating your symptoms.

Know your medication

If you’ve had hay fever symptoms for a while, you’ll likely already know what your options are. But if you don’t, you might consider looking at what over-the-counter medicines can do for you.

The more popular ones are antihistamines, as these should work towards preventing your body from responding as badly to the pollen. Then you also have nasal sprays to deal with any annoying blockages and eye drops to stop the itching. Of course, this is a very general overview and we always recommend that you talk to your GP or an allergy specialist about your options.

So if you’ve ever suffered from springtime allergies, it might be the trees that are to blame. But with a bit of proactive work, you can calm the symptoms before they even begin. And if you’re still not sure about what to do, talk to a medical professional whenever you can.

If you ever have any questions about your allergies, we have a team of experienced specialists ready to help you out. You can register as a new patient any time by clicking here, or pick up the phone and call us on 02031 433 449 if you’d rather.

Is hay fever worse in 2022? And what is thunder fever?

6th July 2022

Is hay fever worse in 2022? And what is thunder fever?

We’ve talked at length about how annoying hay fever can be. When you just want to enjoy the summer sun, the last thing you want is a runny nose, scratchy throat, and itchy eyes. And if you ask some people, this year has been a particularly bad one.

But is there anything to it? Has 2022 been especially filled with pollen? Let’s take a look at what the Met Office has been saying, why some people keep talking about ‘thunder fever’, and if there’s anything you can do about it.

Is hay fever worse this year?

The short answer is yes and no. No because, according to the Met Office, this year’s pollen levels haven’t been noteworthy. Not compared to previous years at least. 

Instead, they attribute increasing hay fever symptoms to the weather. Because we had a warm spring – and a wet one too – the pollen may be more “potent”. And the sunny weather we’ve been having recently will encourage plants to release this potent pollen.

Dr Luke Powles of Bupa also threw out the theory that COVID restrictions could have played a part. By staying indoors more, we’ve had less contact with pollen, which means our body hasn’t built up a bit of immunity to it.

What about thunder fever?

You might have seen stories about ‘thunder fever’ and how this might also exacerbate allergies. So what is it? Thunder fever refers to the event when thunderstorms and high pollen levels combine. The wild winds of the thunderstorm whip up pollen into the air, dispersing it around. 

Thunder fever also affects people with asthma as the humid weather and high levels of pollen make it harder to breathe. The name comes from a spate of people dying from asthma attacks during thunderstorms in Australia in 2017.

Another term you might see combined with this in the media is ‘super pollen’. This is referring to the thunderstorms breaking up the potent pollen into smaller particles, thus making symptoms even worse. The Met Office stresses that super pollen – and thunder fever – aren’t scientific terms and are still being researched. So take these stories with a good pinch of salt.

Advice for treating your hay fever

Pollen is the culprit causing your hay fever, so you want to avoid it where possible. In your home, this means opening your windows less frequently – especially while you sleep. We know this sounds unbearable, but leaving your windows open is an invitation for pollen. And when it gets inside, it’s going to stick to your furniture.

Speaking of which, cleaning more is also a good idea. Vacuum and dust everything frequently to keep the pollen at bay. If you have a cat or dog that’s been outside, they might have pollen stuck to them. So keep them off the furniture, at least until you’ve given them a bath.

Other than that, standard antihistamines will help. Though if you are unsure, consult your GP – or an allergy specialist – first. This year might feel bad for hay fever sufferers, but hopefully arming yourself with this information will make it easier to avoid any allergy outbreaks.

If you have any questions about your hay fever (or other conditions such as asthma), reach out to our team on 02031 433 449. You can also register with us as a new patient here.

Seasonal allergies getting you down? Here’s how to exercise outdoors this summer

18th May 2022

Seasonal allergies getting you down? Here’s how to exercise outdoors this summer

It’s nearly summer. Which can only mean one thing: we’re going to get some sun. Well, hopefully. When the sun does eventually come out, it’s a great opportunity to spend more time outdoors, work on our tan, and – for some – get some exercise. Why waste the money on a gym membership when the whole world can be your gym?

If you have seasonal allergies, like hay fever, the gym probably sounds like the better option. Because with summer comes a lot of pollen. And with pollen comes a lot of scratchy throats, blocked noses, and itchy eyes. But if you’re determined to work on that summer body by getting some much-needed outdoor exercise in, is there a way to keep those allergies at bay?

What time of day to exercise

One way to avoid as much of the pollen as possible is to change when you exercise. This is likely going to be either early in the morning or later in the evening. Though this will depend on the type of pollen you’re allergic to.

For example, grass releases its pollen early in the morning, so it won’t be as prominent in the air until later on. So if you get out at the same time – around 7 a.m. – you can potentially avoid the worst of it. The same goes for later on once the pollen has settled – around 7 p.m.

What weather to look out for

The perfect part of exercising outdoors in summer is that you get to bask in the warmth of the sun. But this might be bad for your allergies. When the weather is nicer, plants are more likely to open up and release their pollen, meaning there’s more of it in the air. And if there’s a breeze, this moves the pollen around, meaning you’re more likely to run into it.

Ideally, you’d want to go for a jog when it’s raining. The rain will typically suppress the pollen so it doesn’t get to travel as far. But going outside in that kind of weather isn’t something people tend to like. Instead, go for your run after the rain has stopped. This way, the pollen is still pushed down and you don’t have to get wet.

The easiest way to keep track is to look at the weather report. They always have pollen counts which will give you an idea of what to expect that day. And over-the-counter antihistamines can help with your symptoms if you’re safe to take them. If you’re ever in doubt, talk to your GP or an allergy specialist about your condition.

For when you need someone to talk to about your allergies, get in touch with our team of allergists. We can help you navigate your seasonal woes. Register as a new patient or call us on 02031 433 449.

Got a green thumb? Here’s why houseplants could be triggering your allergies

11th May 2022

Got a green thumb? Here’s why houseplants could be triggering your allergies

Houseplants are having a real moment right now. They’re popping up in homes, restaurants, and shops across the globe. Gone are the days of spending time outside tending to your vegetable patch. Instead, it’s all about misting your monstera and propagating your pothos. In fact, the average Briton will spend £300 a year on houseplants. 

And for the millions of allergy sufferers across the globe, indoor houseplants can seem a pretty safe trend. It’s easy enough to avoid any plants with flowers or pollen that could cause you grief. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple…

Could I be allergic to my houseplants?

The short answer is yes, you might be. But not for the reasons you think.

Your plants themselves are less likely to be the culprit. Unless they sneakily do contain pollen that’s triggering your hay fever, or you’re coming into direct contact with a sap your sensitive skin disagrees with. But the more likely reason you’re reacting to your plants is because of mould or dust.

Mould thrives in damp environments. And this makes the soil of your plants a perfect breeding ground. It can show up on top of the soil, dead leaves, or the outside of pots. With any slight disruption to the soil or pot, mould spores are released into the air, and you can quickly find yourself sneezing, coughing, and itching. Or experiencing many other common allergy symptoms.

Having houseplants also increases the general humidity of your home. And this can result in more black mould showing up – such as in the kitchen or bathroom – and more spores being released into the air. 

What about dust?

If you don’t think mould is the culprit, try inspecting your plants a little more closely. While dusting your furniture is fairly common practice, dusting your plant leaves can seem a little extreme. And tedious.

But as they’re sitting out in the open undisturbed, your plants will be accumulating dust. And when there’s a slight breeze, those dust particles float up into the air. So you may find yourself suffering the very same symptoms we listed above. 

Is there a solution?

The good news is you don’t have to rehome your plants unless you want to. With the right measures in place, there’s no reason you can’t live in perfect harmony.

Certain pots and potting materials will be better for increasing evaporation and minimising damp in your plants. Where possible, opt for high-quality potting soil as this has better drainage. And avoid terracotta pots as this material pulls moisture out of the soil and onto the outside of the pot – where mould can then develop. 

You also want to avoid over-watering. Soggy soil is mould’s best friend, so err on the side of caution. If they’re getting a little damp, you can also give your plants some time in direct sunlight to dry out. And finally, you want to get into the habit of wiping down the leaves on a regular basis.

It’s easy to get attached to your plants. But this makes it harder to admit they could be the reason you’re suffering. A quick allergy test will confirm whether they’re actually the cause. And by switching up a few materials and habits, you can quickly get back to feeling your best.

For extra support navigating your allergies, get in touch with us. Sign up as a new patient or reach out on 02031 433 449.

What to do about your mystery seasonal allergy

20th April 2022

What to do about your mystery seasonal allergy

In a recent blog, we talked about what to do about springtime allergies. It’s that time of year that hay fever and pollen sensitivities start to affect people. Blocked noses, itchy eyes, and scratchy throats are all uncomfortably common. But when you know what you’re fighting against, it’s at least easier to treat.

If you experience these symptoms and don’t know why? That’s when it gets trickier. It might describe you. Every year, around the same time, you start to feel those familiar warning signs. But you ignore them and try to carry on. We’re here to tell you that you don’t have to turn a blind eye.

In fact, it’s better not to. If you’re having mystery symptoms that might be seasonal allergies, here’s what you should do.

Start an allergy diary

This is a bit of an odd one. Most people with allergies don’t have to track them. They just treat them and get on with life. But when you don’t know what you’re up against? That information can be invaluable.

Keeping track of your symptoms is just so you have something to talk to a doctor about. If you can go to an allergy specialist and tell them when you’re experiencing certain symptoms, it’s going to help their diagnosis and recommendations. Factors to note down include time of year, time of day, and what reactions you have. It’s going to come in handy for this next tip…

Talk to a specialist

You can talk to your GP and it’ll be fine, but we recommend talking specifically with an allergist. This is because they’re going to have more in-depth experience with this topic and can quickly guide you to an answer.

The allergy diary is going to be useful here. It’ll likely answer some of their questions for you and start them down the path of finding what you’re allergic to. In the case of seasonal allergies, if they see your reactions around March or April, it’s going to point them towards a tree pollen allergy.

Get an allergy test

This might be the allergist’s next course of action. An allergy test will further help them hone in on the right answer and start shaping your course of treatment. For average seasonal allergies, this may just be some antihistamines. More serious allergies will require more serious treatments.

If you’re unsure about this, talk openly with the allergy specialist. They can talk you through the types of tests available, what results you’re likely to see, and how the test might affect you. You can read more about allergy testing in one of our other blogs.

25% of people in the UK have a seasonal allergy like hay fever. So if this is the case for you, just know you’re far from alone. Talk to the right people, get yourself tested, and start to live a healthier life. Don’t let that stuffy nose ruin any more summers!

If you’re looking for an allergy specialist to guide you through your seasonal allergy concerns, get in touch. You can register as a new patient at this link or, if you’d rather, give us a quick call on 02031 433 449.

Your springtime guide to pollen and hay fever

23rd March 2022

Your springtime guide to pollen and hay fever

We recently talked about seasonal allergies and how they seem to be coming earlier and lasting longer. We’re well into March now, so some people will be starting to notice those telltale signs. A runny nose. Itchy eyes. Scratchy throat. Yep, hay fever season is here.

But you don’t have to suffer in silence. Here’s our springtime guide for dealing with your hay fever and pollen allergies, and what you can do to stop them in their tracks.

Symptoms to look out for

The problem with seasonal allergies happening earlier is that there’s overlap with winter illnesses such as a cold or the flu. Along with something like coronavirus. So some people might not realise it’s actually their hay fever acting up.

We all know the obvious symptoms:

• Runny, stuffy nose
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Scratchy throat or coughing

But there are some you might not realise are related to your allergy:

• Headaches, particularly around the temples (likely a sinus backup)
• Exhaustion
• Earache
• Loss of smell

Headaches, especially, are something we often attribute to something else. Not drinking enough water, not getting enough sleep – you get the idea. But you might want to pay attention to the kind of headaches you get. Do they feel like they come from a blockage? Are they more around the front of your head? If so, it could be hay fever and sinus-related.

How to minimise symptoms

There are steps you can take to keep your symptoms at bay. The issue is when pollen reaches you and causes a reaction. So you need to do what you can to keep the pollen away.

If you like to have your windows open, this could be making your symptoms worse, so keep them closed. Make a habit of checking the pollen counts too, so you know if it’s worth going outside. Speaking of outside, don’t dry your washing in the fresh air. Pollen can stick to it and you’ll bring it right into your house.

If you like going for walks, stay away from grassy, open spaces. If you live near the coast, consider going there. If not, stay in more urban areas. Especially if the grass near your favourite walking spot has just been cut.

Preventative measures

There are other ways you could prevent hay fever from bothering you. Over-the-counter antihistamines are regularly used by people suffering, as are nasal sprays. Before you do this though, you might want to talk with your doctor.

They may have a better suggestion for helping you deal with your symptoms. It might also be the case that they recommend you don’t take over-the-counter medication. Always consult them before taking any medicine, just in case.

It’s always a rough time of year for people with hay fever, but don’t worry. Just follow these tips and you’ll avoid any unnecessary exposure to pollen. You won’t ever be 100% able to get rid of it, but at least you can minimise any aggravation.

Don’t let your hay fever get you down this spring. Talk to the experts at the London Allergy and Immunology Centre today. We can help you with any allergy woes. Sign up as a new patient or call us on 02031 433 449.

Three common allergy myths you should know about

14th July 2021

Three common allergy myths you should know about

Dealing with allergies isn’t easy. From mildly inconvenient to life-changing, they’re tough to deal with. But when you’re constantly hearing misconceptions and myths about them, it makes it all so much harder. 

One person is telling you one “fact” and someone else tells you something different. It can feel exhausting and sometimes even be dangerous. It’s important to know what’s true and what’s just a bit of an old wives’ tale. So here are three common myths about allergies that we want to clear up.

“A peanut allergy is the most dangerous one”

With how much you hear about them, some people have come to believe that peanut allergies are the most dangerous type of allergy. But this isn’t true. 

While yes, some people can go into anaphylactic shock from them, many people just have mild reactions to peanuts. There’s a wide spectrum of reactions, and other allergies are no different. Some can have life-threatening reactions to, for example, pet dander. Allergies come in varying degrees, so one type of allergy isn’t necessarily worse than others.

“Local honey will help my hay fever”

It would be a lifesaver if it was true, but there’s no evidence that honey helps improve hay fever symptoms. The idea is that, by eating local honey, you’re eating local pollen. And by eating local pollen, you become less and less sensitive to it. 

But sadly, a 2002 study showed no difference in patients who were treated with local honey, processed honey, and a honey-flavoured placebo. 

“My baby won’t have allergies because it’s not in our family history”

Babies are more likely to develop allergies if both their parents have allergies, that’s true. But babies aren’t immune from allergies just because there’s no family history of them. In fact, 12% of children with allergies have no family history at all. Anyone can develop one and at any time in their life. 

With so many myths about allergies out there, we wouldn’t blame you for being confused about them. But dealing with them shouldn’t have to be difficult. If you’re struggling or looking for advice, get in touch with a professional who knows fact from fiction.

Need help controlling your allergies? Get in touch with London Allergy & Immunology Centre. Our team of professionals is ready to help you manage your allergies and regain control of your life. Call us now on 02031 433 449.

The foods that may make your hay fever worse

30th June 2021

The foods that may make your hay fever worse

Our diet affects almost everything. We all know how it can help or hurt our physical health, but did you know it could also worsen or alleviate hay fever symptoms? That’s because some foods contain higher levels of histamine, the chemical our body releases in response to our allergies. They give us all those uncomfortable symptoms that drive us mad. 

To stop your symptoms from getting worse, it’s best to avoid high histamine foods. Here are four common culprits that might not be helping you during this hay fever season.

Dairy

Dairy products can be taxing on our immune systems. And when they’re weak, it can cause an overreaction to pollen and make existing symptoms worse. To fight hay fever, it’s important to have as strong an immune system as possible. This is possibly why vitamin C helps combat symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Coffee

It may be time to replace your morning coffee with decaf. Caffeine is naturally high in histamines, which can worsen hay fever symptoms. Excess caffeine may even cause liver congestion, making it even worse still, as well as causing other problems. 

Alcohol

Nothing sounds better than sitting in the garden with a beer or a glass of wine on a warm, sunny evening. But sadly, beer, wine, and liquor all contain histamines that are produced during the fermentation process. Alcohol also suppresses the immune system. So, similar to dairy, anything that weakens this will make symptoms more of a chore.

Nuts

While nuts may seem like the perfect snack, they’re packed full of histamines too. So it may be best to lay off cashews, pistachios, walnuts, and almonds until your symptoms become more manageable. Nuts like hazelnuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts are less likely to trigger symptoms as they contain lower levels of histamine. 

While no food will ever cure your hay fever, avoiding certain foods may help prevent your symptoms from getting worse. Always check with your doctor or allergist before making any lifestyle changes. 

Is hay fever getting you down? Get in contact with the London Allergy and Immunology Centre today. Our team of experts can help you manage your allergies and help you regain control of your life. Call us now on 02031 433 449.

The foods that may help your hay fever

23rd June 2021

The foods that may help your hay fever

For those suffering from hay fever, summer can be a miserable time. Instead of enjoying the sun, you’re constantly checking for updates on pollen levels. The constant disruptive symptoms can put us off wanting to do anything outdoors altogether. 

But some studies have linked certain foods with helping to alleviate hay fever symptoms. Let’s look at some of the studies and see what they say. As always, talk to your doctor or allergy specialist first before making any big changes!

Vitamin C

Foods high in vitamin C have been shown to reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis. So to combat that pesky pollen, it could be a good idea to load up on vitamin C. And you aren’t just limited to oranges. There are many foods high in vitamin C, including: 

• Grapefruit
• Lemon
• Lime
• Peppers 
• Strawberries
• Blackcurrants
• Broccoli
• Sprouts
• Potatoes 
• Tomatoes 
  

Tomatoes aren’t just high in vitamin C; they also have plenty of lycopene. This is an antioxidant compound that gives food its red colour. As well as reducing allergy symptoms, lycopene may also help reduce the effects of asthma.

Anti-inflammatories

A runny nose and itchy eyes are the result of inflammation and swelling in the lining of your nose and the protective tissue of your eyes. So increasing your consumption of anti-inflammatories could help reduce your hay fever symptoms. Anti-inflammatory foods include:

• Tomatoes 
• Leafy greens like kale and spinach 
• Fatty fish like salmon, tuna and sardines
• Avocados 
• Oranges 
• Cherries 
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Purple grapes 
• Olive oil
• Pumpkin seed oil 
• Flaxseed oil 
• Turmeric 
• Ginger 
  

Probiotics

The gut is incredibly important to our overall health. In fact, around 70% of our immune system is housed in our guts. We can’t be healthy without a healthy gut. And probiotics have been proven to ease allergy symptoms in those with birch pollen allergy. So if you’re a sufferer, simply adding probiotics to your diet could help. Probiotic foods include:

• Kombucha
• Sauerkraut
• Pickles
• Miso
• Kefir
• Yoghurt
• Tempeh
• Kimchi
• Some types of cheese, including mozzarella, cheddar and gouda 
  

We understand if hay fever season is driving you crazy. As well as potentially helping with your allergies, some of these are great options for a healthy diet. Before you do anything related to your allergies, talk with your doctor first.

Need help managing your allergy symptoms? London Allergy & Immunology Centre has a dedicated team of professionals who can help you regain control of your allergies. Call us now on 02031 433 449.