Managing and treating your hay fever
The hay fever season runs from spring to Autumn and affects around 18million people in the UK. Hay fever sufferers have allergic reactions to different types of pollen, which includes itchy eyes and nose, sneezing, running or blocked nose and difficulty breathing.
Pollen grains set of an allergic reaction as the conjunctiva (the transparent membrane covering the white of the eye) becomes inflamed causing watery, red itchy eyes. The whites of your eyes may swell up and you may also experience a gritty feeling in your eyes.
Managing your hay fever:
- Stay indoors when there is a high pollen content, keep windows and doors closed and surfaces cleared of dust. Avoid going out early evening and mid morning when the pollen is at its highest
- Wear sunglasses when you are outdoors – wraparound glasses offer more protection from pollen
- Wear glasses rather than your contact lenses – especially when the pollen count is high
- Change your clothes and have a shower – if you’ve been outside for a while you may have pollen on your clothes and skin.
- Bathe your eyes regularly in cold water
- Apply petroleum jelly to your nose which traps pollen
Treating your hay fever:
- Anti-allergy eye drops – these act as a defective defense. If you wear contact lenses remember to check you can use eye drops while your lenses are in.
- Antihistamines – taking antihistamines before you come into contact with pollen can prevent this happening or can help reduce the severity of the symptoms if taken afterwards
- Steroid eye-drops – these are very effective but can have serious affects, such as glaucoma, cataracts and damage to the cornea. They are only available on prescription.
How to use eye drops