A persistent itch at the back of your throat, an uncontrollable stream of sneezes and the dull ache of a congested head.
The symptoms come as a miserable warning sign to millions each year - the hayfever season has begun.
This
year experts predict an extra five million people will fall victim to
the allergy for the first time due to the increase in prevalence of this
condition.
And they,
along with 15 million current sufferers, will be forgiven for failing to
mount the same level of enthusiasm for the glorious sunshine and warm
temperatures, as their allergy-free peers.
While
summer marks welcome relief after a dreary winter, for hayfever
sufferers the changing seasons brings with it impending misery as a
dreaded cloud of invisible pollen spores descends.
Over
the course of the next 15 years, the problems is set to worsen as
experts estimate another 10 million people fall victim to the allergy.
WHAT IS HAYFEVER?
Hayfever is also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis.
It is a condition caused by an allergy to the pollen released into the air by trees, plants and grasses.
Symptoms range from a runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, to more serious breathing problems, known as seasonal allergic asthma.
The
allergic reaction is triggered when the pollen, which people are
sensitive too, is inhaled through the nose and comes into contact with
the nasal lining.
In
those plagued by hayfever the immune system falsely recognises the
allergens - protein in pollen grains - as a severe threat and reacts by
massive protective immune response- releasing of histamine, and
inflammatory mediators from mast cells.
Histamine
makes blood vessels wider and provokes swelling of the inside of the
nose as well as itchiness when it affects the nerve ending, alongside
with irritation of the eyes and tearing.
The
reaction causes the nasal passages to shrink in size, and this swelling
in the nasal passage is responsible for symptoms including a blocked and
runny nose
The histamine also causes the lining of the eyes and sinuses, setting off symptoms there, as well as in the nose.
While
unpleasant, sneezing, congestion and a runny nose are all symptoms of
increased immune response, designed to protect the body, either by
trapping and expelling the dreaded allergen, or by preventing it from
reaching further into the body.
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Dr Rudenko said
the nose in the the body's defense against allergens and so is the right
place to start fighting the symptoms locally
THE NOSE IS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE
In
combating the misery caused by hayfever, experts are quick to stress a
bid to defeat the allergy must first focus on the nose.
Dr
Rudenko, allergy and immunology consultant and medical director in the
London Allergy and Immunology Centre told MailOnline: 'The nose is a
vital but often neglected organ.
'The
natural protective film of special moisture and tiny moving cilia along
the nasal lining provide clearance of the air we breathe, trap dust,
nasty bugs and allergens carry them away before they can cause harm to
the organism.'
A CLEAN NOSE IS A HEALTHY NOSE
Dr Rudenko said waging war on hayfever symptoms can start long before the pollen season descends.
He told MailOnline it is vital that sufferers ensure their nose is kept in good condition all year round.
'If the nasal lining is dry or the tiny hairs, called cila, are blocked and cannot move, the nose does not function.' he said.
'Washing your nose daily can clean, clear and moisturise the nose to ensure it is in top working condition.'
Dr
Rudenko recommended Stérimar Nasal Hygiene made of 100 per cent natural
sea water, to 'ensure your first line of defence is in top working
condition to filter and filter and remove particles and allergens
effectively'.
He
said the spray is isotonic- containing the same salt balance as the
cells in the human body, making it gentle and effective at washing away
contaminants and debris trapped in the nose.
'When
used regularly, this can help to delay the onset of allergic reaction
when the levels of allergens rise by reducing exposure.' he added.
NATURAL SEA WATER OFFERS RELIEF WITHOUT SIDE EFFECTS
As
the summer months approach Dr Rudenko said hayfever sufferers should
begin to mount their next line of attack against the allergy.
While
some dismiss natural remedies as being 'ineffective' against allergies,
new innovations linked to sea water mean natural management of the
symptoms can offer relief without the side effects often linked to
over-the-counter medicated options.
The
nose is a vital but often neglected organ. Not only does it play a role
in our sense of smell, taste, and the sound of our voice, the nose is
the first line of defence against airborne contaminants
Dr Michael Rudenko
There has emerged a series of natural products that work in harmony with the body to enhance the natural protective functions.
Dr Rudenko said the benefits of natural remedies lie in the fact they are steroid and preservative free.
'It means they can be used by anyone that starts to feel the effects of hayfever,' he told MailOnline.
'This includes pregnant women, breastfeeding mums and children under the age of three.
'This
spray has no known side effects, and the routine with sea water can
potentially reduce the amount of medication a sufferer needs to control
their symptoms.'
He said among the most effective is Stérimar Stop and Protect Allergy Response nasal spray.
The spray works by creating an invisible film on the inside of the nasal lining, he explained.
'It
prevents and reduces the contact of allergens with the lining of the
nasal cavity to provide reinforced clearance of mucosa and reducing
allergic symptoms,' he told MailOnline.
'With a
base of natural sea water and a patented complex, the spray, which is
enriched with sea minerals, unblocks nasal passages and encapsulates,
inactivates and neutralises the allergens, helping to stop symptoms
fast.'
In addition, he said, the spray offers long-lasting hydration to prevent the delicate nasal lining from drying out.
'Sea
water can be used when needed and we often recommend it in clinic as a
complementary treatment to prescribed medication to get an add on
benefits,' Dr Rudenko said.
He said one
of its greatest benefits is the fact that, unlike other nasal sprays,
Stérimar Stop and Protect Allergy Response, can be used throughout the
hayfever season for anyone three years and up including pregnant women,
breast feeding mothers.
Dr
Rudenko explained that widely available decongestant medications,
including nasal sprays, work by effecting the muscles inside the blood
vessels.
They
should never be used for longer than seven days at a time. If used for
longer or with insufficient brakes between courses they can cause
irreversible damage of blood vessels known as 'rhinitis medicamentosa -
leading to permanent blockage of the nose that is very difficult to
treat even with surgical procedures.
As well as Stérimar nasal sprays, other measures can be taken to help ease hayfever symptoms.
Washing
your hair before bed is said to relieve symptoms as pollen is sticky
and can transfer to pillows, affecting sufferers during the night.
Pollen
can live in carpets so vacuuming regularly can also help as well as
using a damp or microfibre cloth to collect dust and stop pollen from
becoming airborne.
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