All you need to know about hay fever in the UK 

11th April 2024

All you need to know about hay fever in the UK 

As the weather battles to transition into spring, many of us are likely to start finding ourselves grappling with the unwelcome symptoms of hay fever. Unlike the common cold, hay fever stems from an allergic reaction to pollen, which varies in type and intensity throughout the year. 

If you struggle with hay fever every year, you’re not alone. Alternatively, a recent change may have triggered a new experience for you. 49% of the UK report yearly had hay fever symptoms, making it one of the most common allergies. Understanding the different pollen seasons and their impact on hay fever is essential to help you find relief.

Common hayfever and pollen allergen signs

Hay fever and pollen allergies share some common symptoms with the common cold. However, there are some distinct signs that help distinguish between them. The key symptoms of hay fever include:

• Sneezing and coughing
• A runny or blocked nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
• Itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
• Loss of smell
• Forehead pain
• Headaches
• Fatigue

During the peak season, hay fever symptoms can worsen, especially when it’s warm, humid, and windy and the pollen count is high. Unlike a cold, hay fever can last for several weeks or even months.

Pollen calendar

The UK hay fever season is extensive, beginning as early as January and lasting until autumn. The primary culprits behind hay fever are tree, grass, and weed pollens. These peak at different times of the year and are heavily influenced by geographical location and weather patterns.

The hay fever season usually starts with tree pollen and lasts from late March to mid-May. It affects around 25% of hay fever sufferers.

Grass pollen is the most common trigger and typically peaks twice, from mid-May to July. Its impact varies depending on weather conditions and can often intensify symptoms for many.

Finally, weed pollen completes the hay fever cycle from the end of June to September.

Regional variations and weather impact on hay fever 

The timing and severity of hay fever symptoms can vary significantly depending on where you are in the UK. The north tend to have a later start and shorter pollen seasons due to generally lower pollen levels. Cities have lower pollen counts than out in the country, while seaside towns are less affected than inland areas.

The weather also plays a crucial role in pollen production and dispersal. Temperature fluctuations, rainfall, and wind not only determine the start and end of pollen seasons but also day-to-day pollen counts. Unpredictable spring weather and warm early summers can lead to higher pollen production, worsening hay fever symptoms for many.

3 common culprits of hay fever

Three types of tree pollen—birch, oak, and grass pollen —are commonly associated with allergies during the pollen season.

Birch pollen is a major source of pollen in the UK and is released between March and June. It is one of the most common triggers of hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) during the spring.

Oak trees also contribute significantly to the pollen count, especially in late spring and early summer. Although oak pollen is less allergenic than birch pollen, it can still cause symptoms in sensitive individuals.

Grass pollen, although not a tree, is also worth mentioning as it is one of the most common allergens affecting a large number of people during the summer months. Other sources of tree pollen, such as plane and ash trees, also contribute to the pollen count, but to a lesser extent in terms of widespread allergies, after birch and oak.

Testing for pollen allergies

The pollen seasons can be complicated, and every individual reacts differently to various types of pollen. This can make managing hay fever symptoms on your own seem like a difficult task.

However, identifying your specific triggers is a crucial next step towards finding relief.

By taking a test to determine the exact cause of your hay fever, a targeted management strategy can be developed. Why not take a test today? Our experts will be with you every step of the way, providing medication or suggesting lifestyle adjustments to offer you relief and help you understand your triggers.

Navigating through hay fever season can be challenging, but you’re not on this journey alone. Ready to take the next step toward clearer days? Register as a new patient with us today, and let’s embark on a path to better manage your hay fever and pollen allergens. Whether you opt for a comprehensive evaluation at our London-based allergy clinic or prefer the convenience of our home allergy test, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

It’s not always fun in the sun: watch out for allergies at the beach

5th July 2023

It’s not always fun in the sun: watch out for allergies at the beach

In the UK, we have to make the most of summer while we have it. And we’ve been fortunate this year to see a lot of sun – with hopefully plenty more to come. That sunshine has kicked many of us into gear, inspiring us to get outside and enjoy the good weather. The first place plenty of people will head to? The beach.

Whether it’s sunnier shores in another country or right here on our lovely British coasts, the beach is always a great place to go. Even with all the sand getting everywhere. But what does this mean for your allergies? Here are some you need to be mindful of this summer.

The sun

As strange as it sounds, people can be “allergic” to the sun. There are a couple of ways this could come about, but we want to highlight one in particular: polymorphic light eruption. This is a scientific way of describing a rash on your skin after being exposed to the sun, very similar to an allergy.

Symptoms include an itchy or burning rash which can happen in mere hours, but can also take up to 2 to 3 days to turn up. And this can last for up to 2 weeks. It happens when the UV light touches our skin. The thought is that it alters something on the surface, which our immune system then reacts to. To combat it, stay in the shade when you can.

Sun cream

You could also protect yourself with sun cream, but this may cause issues itself. This will be a form of dermatitis – when your skin reacts to something it doesn’t agree with. It can be caused by an allergy. You might be allergic to something in the sun cream, causing your skin to break out in a rash or aggressive red patches.

Alternatively, it could be irritant contact dermatitis, which is more common in people with a history of eczema or sensitive skin. Symptoms will be similar and are more of a reaction to the sun cream as a whole rather than any one ingredient.

Pollen

Yes, pollen can still affect you at the beach. Many people assume that the coast is pollen-free. It is true that the sea breeze is more likely to blow it away, and the moisture in the air is going to give it less room to travel. But that doesn’t mean it’s gone for good.

Ragweed pollen has been found 400 miles out to sea. And up to two miles up in the air! It’s impossible to escape it forever. So don’t think you can skip out on your antihistamine this time.

Insects

We talked about insects not too long ago, and they’re just as likely to turn up at the beach. You also have beach-specific insects that live in the sand. If you’re lying on a towel on the ground, you may come into contact with them, and their bites might trigger your symptoms.

Not to mention the fact that people love to bring packed lunches with them to the beach, attracting wasps and bees who want a taste. If you know you have an insect allergy, don’t drop your guard and be as vigilant as you would usually be.

With all this said, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy your day at the beach. Have fun, get some sun, and eat an ice cream for us. Just make sure you’re doing it in the safest way possible.

If you ever have any allergy concerns, you can always talk to one of our allergy specialists. We can help you navigate the ins and outs of your condition and allow you to live the best life possible. Just call us on 02031 433 449 or register as a new patient here.

Unusual symptoms that might be linked to your hay fever

21st June 2023

Unusual symptoms that might be linked to your hay fever

The past couple of weeks have been tough for people in the UK with hay fever. High levels of pollen combined with the hot, still weather means it’s been hard to escape the symptoms. All you have to do is step outside for 5 minutes and you start to feel miserable. It’s hard to enjoy the nice weather when you’re blowing your nose constantly or itching your eyes.

These are the symptoms we all know and absolutely do not love. Other common ones include an itchy throat and endless sneezing. But there are some less common symptoms that you might not realise are part of your hay fever. If you know where they come from, you might have an easier time dealing with them. Let’s look at three unusual examples…

Headaches and face pain

The last thing you want when you’re dealing with hay fever is a nasty headache – or even a migraine. But did you know the two could be linked? That stuffy nose and constant sniffling can lead to a sinus blockage and inflammation. And when this happens, it creates a pressure build-up that can present as a headache.

You’ll know it’s a sinus headache if you feel the pressure particularly around the upper part of your nose and behind your eyes. This may extend down your face; you could even feel it as low as your jaw. Nasal decongestant medication could help alleviate this. 

There’s a chance the headache could be a coincidence. It is summer after all, so it could be a sign of dehydration. So make sure you’re drinking enough water, too.

Loss of smell and taste

It’s not the only unusual symptom caused by sinus blockages. That build-up can also lead to a temporary loss of smell and – by association – taste. The inflammation in the nasal passages, which happens to keep pollen out, limits our ability to smell. And since smell and taste go hand in hand, you may also notice food isn’t as nice to eat.

This loss is known as ‘anosmia’ and is also a key symptom of COVID-19. This can make it tricky to figure out the cause. But if you know you have hay fever and it’s that time of year – and if you have other symptoms such as a blocked nose – then you can probably cross COVID off the list of suspects.

Excessive sweating

It’s summer; you’re going to sweat. But if you’re sitting in a cool room away from the sun and you’re still sweating, then it could be a part of your hay fever. Now, it isn’t a direct symptom of hay fever in the sense that sneezing or coughing is. Rather, it’s your body reacting to the changes that hay fever has put you through.

Let’s explain it further. When your body goes through a stressful or painful situation, it releases a number of chemicals to cope. It could be adrenaline or cortisol – whatever it needs to do to keep your body going. But these chemicals put your body through some strain, which can increase sweating.

While hay fever is rarely fatal, it is often inconvenient. And this lengthy list of symptoms is part of what makes it such a pain to live with. But if you know what to expect, you can figure out how to fight back. If your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, and if over-the-counter medication isn’t doing enough, then talk to your doctor about your next steps.

Or go one step further and find a dedicated allergist who can listen to your worries and find the best course of action for you. Our team is always here to help anyone dealing with life-altering allergic conditions. Reach out to us on 02031 433 449 or register as a new patient here.

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.

How to allergy-proof your home

21st December 2022

How to allergy-proof your home

If you’re a house-proud person, there’s probably no better feeling than having everything spick and span. The floor’s had a good mop or vacuum and everything’s in its rightful place. But what if we told you it might not be as clean as you think? To you, it’s perfect, but to people with allergies? There could be a stray hair or bit of dust that’s going to set them off.

Yes, something as simple as travelling to someone else’s home can be a chore for someone with an allergy. You go to your friend’s house only for the dog hair on the sofa to bring you out in a painful rash. 

With this being the festive season, you might be about to entertain some guests. So what can you do to allergy-proof your home and keep them feeling comfortable?

What to be aware of

Let’s start with the mystery allergens you should know about. There are some that are likely to be more common than others in a home, and while they might not bother you, they might be the bane of someone else’s existence.

First, there’s dust. It builds up in every crevice, and if you’re only cleaning where you can see it, you might have missed some. Then there’s mould, though this might be less prevalent. It’s still worth looking out for in rooms where it often appears, such as the bathroom.

If you have a pet, then pet dander could be an issue. This also has a habit of getting everywhere you don’t want it to be. Depending on the season, pollen might be lurking too, sticking to everything as it is wont to do. Lastly, food allergies. You may think someone has to eat something to have a reaction, but sometimes food particles are enough to set them off.

What will help with guests is knowing what their allergies are. This way, you can appropriately prepare. Now we’ve covered that, let’s look at our top 3 tips for allergy-proofing your home. 

Tip #1 – Clean, clean, and clean!

You might be the cleanest person in the world, but it still might not be enough. If you know you have guests coming over, up your cleaning routine. Do it more often to prevent a build-up of allergens.

You’ll also want to clean in places you might not usually. So make sure to get every shelf, every ornament, every skirting board – even your curtains! Allergens can stick to them like crazy.

Tip #2 – Dealing with your pets

If you have a pet, pay particular attention to areas where they spend time. If your dog is allowed on the sofa, that’s a prime candidate for a deep clean. Their dander will get everywhere, especially on the carpet. If you can afford the investment, a high-power vacuum designed for pet hair would be best.

Your cleaning routine also extends to your pet. Giving them regular baths ensures they don’t have allergens tangled in their fur. And regular brushing (done outside) gets rid of loose hair.

Tip #3 – Thinking about food

As we said earlier, a simple food particle is sometimes enough to trigger someone’s allergies. In these cases, their symptoms are likely to be respiratory. So they may suffer from breathing difficulties, and in worst-case scenarios, this can lead to potentially fatal outcomes.

Especially over this holiday period, think twice about the food you have. If you know you’re feeding your guests, ask about any allergens and take them seriously. But if you’re not, then keep food away from any guests and stay out of the kitchen just in case.

Being considerate about someone’s allergies doesn’t have to take a lot of effort. But the gesture will mean a lot if you allergy-proof your home. So whether it’s for the benefit of any guests over the holidays or you carry this advice into the new year, take our tips and become an even better allergy ally.

Having an allergy doesn’t mean you can’t live a normal life. If you ever have any concerns about your potential allergies, feel free to reach out to us. You can register as a new patient or call us on 02031 433 449.

The downsides of sleeping with a fan on when you have allergies

10th August 2022

The downsides of sleeping with a fan on when you have allergies

The UK broke its highest ever temperature record in July, leaving a lot of people fighting the heat. It led to some beautiful days in the sun, but some uncomfortable nights trying to get to sleep. One way people try to beat that nighttime heat is by keeping a fan on, spreading cool air through the room.

But people with allergies might have found this exacerbates their symptoms. What was supposed to be a cool night’s sleep turns into one filled with dry eyes, a dry throat, and a stuffy nose. Why does this happen? And what can you do to stop it?

The downsides of sleeping with a fan on

A fan’s whole purpose is to move air around a room to keep it cool. When there’s a lot of dust or pollen lying around, that is naturally going to get whipped up and moved around the room too. If you have an allergy to either of these, you’re basically going to get them thrown in your face by your fan, setting off a reaction. If you also have the window open, the fan may also pull in even more pollen from outside and circulate that through the room.

This is going to cause those telltale symptoms, such as a runny nose, watery eyes, and an itchy throat. More than that, fans can cause issues even without allergies. The cold air it pushes around can dry out your skin and eyes. And excessive dryness can trigger your body to produce more mucus, leading to congestion. Combine this with allergy symptoms, and you might wake up feeling worse than when you went to sleep.

How to prevent it

The simplest solution is to not sleep with a fan on, but that might make your night worse in other ways. So there are a few ways you can mitigate any issues. Number one is to keep the fan clean. The blades can quickly accumulate a lot of dust, so giving them a wipe daily can stop the build up.

Next, keep your fan at a distance. With how warm it can get, we know you’ll be tempted to have it right at your side. This is only going to send allergens directly at you. Keeping it further away means the allergens can be dispersed. Also, make sure your fan can rotate. This way, it isn’t pointing just at you and can evenly distribute the air. You might also want to invest in an air filter that’s rated specifically for allergies.

It might not solve all your problems, but it should allow you to have a good night’s sleep without feeling too many bad effects. As long as you keep your room clean – and potentially even keep the windows closed during the day – you should be fine. If you ever have any huge concerns, you can always talk to an allergy specialist for the best advice.

Don’t let your allergies bring you down and keep you up at night. Talk to one of our experts to help you live freely. You can register as a new patient here, or simply give up a call on 02031 433 449.

What kind of fruit are you allergic to?

13th July 2022

What kind of fruit are you allergic to?

Not too long ago, we talked about fruit allergies and a condition called ‘pollen food syndrome’. This is something that affects 2% of UK adults and means they have a reaction when they eat fruit. As the name suggests, it’s about pollen-bearing fruit and there can be crossover with hay fever.

But it’s not as simple as being allergic to all fruit. Which fruit you’re allergic to is likely linked to a particular type of pollen allergy. As you may know, seasonal allergies affect people in different ways. Some might feel it earlier in the year because of tree pollen, or later in the year because of weed pollen. And, depending on which affects you, it might change what fruit you can or can’t eat.

This happens because the protein structure in plant-based food is similar to pollen in trees, grasses, and weeds. This is called “cross reactivity”. So let’s take a closer look at which fruits are linked to which pollen…

Tree pollen

When we say tree pollen, it isn’t necessarily all trees. The most likely causes come from the similarity with birch or alder trees. Now, this isn’t a guarantee. Just because you have a tree-pollen allergy doesn’t mean you’re going to react to these fruits. But there may be a link.

Here are some common culprits associated with tree pollen:

• Apple
• Apricot
• Strawberry
• Peach
• Pear
• Plum

While we’re here, it isn’t just linked to fruits. It can also involve vegetables such as celery, potatoes, tomatoes, and green peppers, along with nuts like almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts.

Grass pollen

People allergic to grass pollen are likely going to feel the effects in the summer months. So if you’re struggling with hay fever right now, this is who to point the finger at. Fruits you might be allergic to could include:

• Kiwi
• Melon
• Orange
• Dates

Again, this could also affect vegetables, in which case it could lead to allergic reactions to potatoes, peas, and wheat. You can also add peanuts to the list.

Weed pollen

Weed pollen is likely to affect you in autumn, as that’s when weeds – such as ragweed – release it. When it comes to fruit, weed pollen has been linked with:

• Banana
• Melon
• Watermelon

When it comes to vegetables, it could include cucumbers and carrots. No matter the pollen, not everyone with a seasonal allergy will also have a matching fruit allergy. Some studies have shown that three-quarters of people sensitive to pollen develop pollen food syndrome, and others say that having more than one pollen sensitivity is also linked to developing the condition.

But it isn’t always the case. And even if you do have it, the symptoms might be so mild while eating the fruit that you don’t even realise. So if you want to be safe and make sure, consult your GP or an allergy specialist today.

If you want an allergist to talk to about how your allergies affect you, reach out to us today. We’re always happy to welcome you as a new patient, or you can just give us a call on 02031 433 449.

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.

Allergies keeping you awake? Here’s what you can do to help

4th May 2022

Allergies keeping you awake? Here’s what you can do to help

There’s nothing worse than a bad night’s sleep. You wake up in the morning feeling tired, grumpy, and angry at yourself for not being able to get some shut-eye. For some people, when their allergies hit, this is just an inevitability. They know they’ll be up all night with a stuffy nose or persistent cough.

Only 17% of people with allergies rate their sleep as optimal. And about half of all people have been woken up by their allergies and struggle to get back to sleep. That’s not a good feeling for anyone. But what is it that’s causing this exactly? And what can you do to make it better?

Causes of bad sleep

If you’re struggling to get to sleep, it could be because the allergens are right under your nose. Literally. There are likely two main causes that might be leading to your reaction: dust mites and pollen. Both will hang onto your bedding, clothing, and carpet, leaving you breathing them in all night.

You can read more about dust mites here, but the short of it is they live in our fabrics. Their skin and excrement is what sets our allergies off, and it’s not uncommon to find them in your bed. Pollen – which we also talked about recently – is going to affect anyone with hay fever. This has a tendency to cling to clothes and can easily come in through an open window.

So how can you make your sleep a little better?

Up your cleaning routine

The simplest trick is to increase how often you clean your bedroom. Since pollen and dust mites hang around on bedding, get into the habit of cleaning these regularly. You might have to play around with the idea to learn how frequently this needs to be. Also, vacuum more often if you have carpets, and don’t forget your curtains too.

Cleaning also applies to you. If you’ve been outside, pollen could stick to your hair. Switching to a night-time shower or bath will let you get that off your body instead of transferring it to your pillow. Speaking of which, hypoallergenic pillows and bedding exist, so if it’s a real problem, this is something you could invest in.

Keep pets out of the bedroom

This might be a sad tip, but a necessary one. Pets can just as easily get pollen caught in their fur. And just like with hair, this can be dispersed across your bedroom. Try a few nights of keeping them out of the room and see if that makes it better.

If you can’t bear the thought of sleeping without them, wash them more regularly too. Make sure to give them baths or, failing that, rub them down with a clean towel daily.

Don’t sleep with the windows open

As we get towards summer, this is going to be a hard pill to swallow. Nights are going to get hotter and humid. But by keeping your windows open, you’re just inviting pollen in. Really, you don’t want to open them at all throughout the day.

If this sounds like an unbearable idea, consider investing in an air purifier. This will extract allergens from the air, which will hopefully help you sleep a bit easier at night.

And those are our tips! We know a bad night’s sleep can have devastating effects on the next day. You shouldn’t have to put up with that. Hopefully our advice lets you catch a few more Zs. If not, talk to your doctor about allergy medication. Something like a nasal spray might work wonders. Whatever you can do to help you sleep peacefully is worth it.

Struggling to sleep at night because of your allergies? Talk to one of our specialists about it. We’re always here to listen to you and offer our advice. You can register as a new patient, or simply call us on 02031 433 449.