MILLIONS of asthma sufferers are at risk this Easter weekend – as a massive pollen bomb has hit the country causing misery for hay fever sufferers.
Warnings are in place as spring pollen levels set to be at their highest in the UK over the next few days since records began in 1951.
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Last week’s cold spell followed by highs of 23C this weekend has triggered a pollen explosion – with medics warning it could prove deadly.
And experts have even warned of coronavirus confusion as hay fever sufferers mix up symptoms such as sneezes and congestion with Covid-19’s dry cough and fever.
More than six million Brits are plagued by itchy eyes, a constant runny nose, headaches and irritating sneezes every summer.
And for half of them, deadly asthma attacks are a real threat – triggered by pollen.
Levels hit hard
Doctors said last week’s cold spell delayed trees’ pollen release, meaning a sharper and more condensed pollen season to come.
Tree pollen levels will hit hard this week for all of the UK except Scotland and the far north of England, with the worst to come after Easter.
The Met Office added: “Birch tree pollen at a high risk during dry, sunny weather. Ash pollen season will continue as well.”
It comes as temperatures this week are set to reach highs of 23C and 24C, with an ‘African heatwave’ blasting towards the UK.
Asthma UK are now urging sufferers to make sure they take their medication as prescribed alongside their usual hay fever medicines to reduce their risk.
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Jessica Kirby, Head of Health Advice at Asthma UK, told The Sun Online: “A high pollen count could put people with asthma at risk of a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
“An estimated 3.3 million people with asthma say that pollen triggers their asthma symptoms, leaving many wheezing and struggling for breath.
“With warm spring weather causing tree pollen levels to rise, we are advising everyone with asthma who suffers from hay fever to make sure they take their asthma medicines as prescribed alongside their usual hay fever medicines to reduce the risk of hay fever triggering an asthma attack.”
Asthma UK have shared three steps you can take to reduce the risk of hay fever triggering an asthma attack…
1. Carry your reliever inhaler every day
If you have asthma, hay fever can cause your already inflamed airways to swell up even more.
It can also make you more likely to react to other triggers like dust or pollution, and if hay fever combines with viruses like colds or flu, the extra inflammation can make your asthma symptoms even worse.
Reliever inhalers quickly relax the muscles in your airways and ease your symptoms on the spot, so it’s important to carry your reliever inhaler with you.
2. Take your preventer inhaler as prescribed
This reduces sensitivity and swelling in your airways, helping to stop wheezing and coughing before they even start.
Make sure you take your preventer inhaler exactly as prescribed to reduce the risk of hay fever triggering your asthma symptoms.
3. Blitz hay fever symptoms with medication
Use antihistamine and/or a steroid nasal spray.
There are lots of different medicine options for hay fever. Your pharmacist can help you decide what to try.
An estimated 26 per cent of adults in the UK reported suffering from hay fever in 2017, according to research.
In 2018, that figure increased to 31 per cent with a million new people buying hay fever medicines and remedies for the first time.
The rise is believed to be due to changes in our climate.
5 ways to treat hay fever
There’s currently no cure for hay fever, but most people are able to relieve symptoms with treatment – to a certain extent.
1. Have more sex
Apparently, having sex can help to relieve symptoms of congestion.
Researchers at Tabriz Medical University in Iran suggested that getting frisky during pollen season could ease allergy-related symptoms such as sneezing.
According to their study, sex causes blood vessels in nasal passages to constrict helping to clear blocked noses and dry up runny eyes.
Max Wiseberg, airborne allergen expert and founder of HayMax barrier balms, said: “There is research which suggests that sex could help with the symptoms, so that may be something to consider although there may be some practical issues around timing and locations.
“However there is probably not a more pleasant way to deal with the symptoms of hay fever.”
The only downside is that the effects are thought to only affect guys who ejaculate – not women.
2. Avoid pollen
The most effective way to control hay fever is to avoid exposure to pollen.
Allergy UK says the best way to do this is to keep windows and doors closed when inside – especially early in the morning and evening when the pollen count is highest.
They also advise avoiding peak pollen times and wearing wraparound sunglasses and a hat to prevent pollen getting onto the face and in the eyes.
You should also avoid drying clothes on an outdoor washing line and shower when you get indoors to remove pollen from your skin and hair.
3. Antihistamines
Antihistamines treat hay fever by blocking the action of the chemical histamine, which the body releases when it thinks it’s under attack from an allergen. This stops the symptoms of the allergic reaction.
Antihistamines are usually effective at treating itching, sneezing and watery eyes, but they may not help with clearing a blocked nose.
They’re available in tablet form and also as nasal sprays and eye drops.
4. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids (steroids) are used to treat hay fever because they have an anti-inflammatory effect.
When pollen triggers your allergic reaction, the inside of your nose becomes inflamed.
Corticosteroids can reduce the inflammation and prevent the symptoms of hay fever.
5. Natural remedies
Many people are turning towards natural remedies rather than conventional medicine to alleviate symptoms.
Some try inhaling steam to clear congestion while others suggest drinking nettle tea – an anti-inflammatory.
Lloyds Pharmacy pharmacist Pareena Patel says: “Allergic reactions can cause symptoms in your nose, especially pollen allergies during hay fever season, which can cause nasal congestion.
“Allergies may also trigger symptoms of asthma, and can make breathing more difficult.
“If you are struggling with your breathing you should speak to your local pharmacist or GP for advice.
“Drug free therapy is a way of helping to treat symptoms without taking medication.
“It involves using natural techniques or products to alleviate your symptoms.
“This approach used on its own or combined with medication can be a more sustainable way of helping to manage your condition.”
A “pollen bomb” has put more people at risk than ever, with experts saying that a concentration of lots of different types of pollen is triggering allergic reactions in people who have never suffered from hay fever before.
Three in ten Brits suffer from hay fever.
The NHS suggests wearing wraparound sunglasses, changing your clothes and showering after going outside and recommends staying indoors when pollen counts are high.
