Spring is the season of blossoming beauty, the outdoors starts to burst into life, refreshing itself with colour. But for many people (like me), it also brings with it some less glamorous side effects – namely hay fever. If you are a hay fever sufferer you will be all too well aware of the symptoms: the joys of itchy and watery eyes, sneezing fits, coughing and a seemingly endless supply of tissues.
Hay Fever (aka seasonal allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds (but not hay). Trees (particularly birch, alder and hazel), grass and weed pollens are far more common triggers for hay fever than flowers. And there are lots of myths surrounding hay fever:
- MYTH #1: HAYFEVER IS CAUSED BY HAY – The name “hay fever” is an inaccurate term, a misnomer. It originates from the 19th century when people associated sneezing and other symptoms with hay harvests. In reality, hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen – a fine powder released by plants for reproduction. When pollen enters the body, the immune system mistakenly identifies it as a threat and releases histamines, causing symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes.
- MYTH #2: FLOWERS ARE THE MAIN CULPRIT – While flowers are often blamed, their pollen is usually too heavy to become airborne. The real culprits are grasses, trees, and weeds, which release lightweight pollen that travels through the air and triggers allergies.
- MYTH #3: RAIN WASHES POLLEN AWAY – Rain can temporarily reduce pollen levels by washing it out of the air. However, thunderstorms can worsen symptoms. The strong winds and airflows during storms can break pollen into smaller particles, which are more easily inhaled and can penetrate deeper into the respiratory system.
- MYTH #4: YOU CAN’T DEVELOP HAY FEVER AS AN ADULT – Allergies, including hay fever, can develop at any age. The immune system can change over time due to factors like environmental exposure, hormonal shifts, or even stress, making someone susceptible to new allergens later in life.
- MYTH #5: EATING HONEY CURES HAY FEVER – The idea behind this myth is that consuming local honey introduces small amounts of pollen to the body, building immunity. However, the pollen in honey is not the same type that causes hay fever. Most airborne allergens come from grasses and trees, not the flowers bees visit. There is no scientific evidence to support honey as a cure for hay fever.
- MYTH #6: HAYFEVER ISN’T SERIOUS – While hay fever itself isn’t life-threatening, it can significantly impact quality of life. Chronic symptoms can lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and reduced productivity. Additionally, hay fever is linked to other conditions like asthma, which can be more serious if left unmanaged.
Hay fever symptoms are usually at their worst between late March and September, especially when it’s warm, humid and windy. The spring and summer months are when the pollen count is at its highest. Symptoms can last for months, depending on what you react to. But for approximately one in four Brits, spring heralds the arrival of the first of the pollen and the hay fever battle begins.
Symptoms can include:
- sneezing and coughing
- a runny or blocked nose
- itchy, red or watery eyes
- itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- loss of smell
- pain around the sides of your head and your forehead
- headache
- feeling tired
I suffer with hay fever, generally having very itchy and watery eyes as well as an itchy throat. I do take daily antihistamine tablets to try and help reduce some of the worst symptoms, but I do also make use of eye drops to help reduce the itching and redness. Now I am fully aware that you shouldn’t rub your eyes as it can increase the irritation but that is very hard not to do so I do find eye drops and a cold compress helps sooth my eyes and help me through the day.
That brings me to TheraTears® Irritation and Redness Eye Drops – a unique 5-in-1 eye drop containing hyaluronic acid that lubricates, hydrates and protects the surface of the eye and reduces redness. The drops are also safe for contact lens wearers. TheraTears® Irritation and Redness eye drops are ideal to use alongside allergy and allergic conjunctivitis treatment to provide extra relief.
TheraTears® Irritation and Redness Eye Drops:
- Relieves irritation
- Reduces redness
- Eases stinging
- Whitens
- Protects
These drops contain:
- Euphrasia, also known as eyebright, a natural plant extract which helps to relieve redness and swelling.
- Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in many parts of the body and can work to lubricate your eyes.
The TheraTears® Irritation and Redness Eye Drops are also contact lens friendly (which is great for me as I wear glasses at home and contacts when out). The drops are easy to use and they really do help to reduce red, swollen and irritation caused by hay fever symptoms as well as from symptoms caused by pollution, smoke or just from staring into a screen too long.
Most of us can manage hay fever symptoms with over-the-counter antihistamines and eye drops alongside other measures such as keeping windows closed (especially in the early morning and evening when pollen counts are highest), wearing wraparound sunglasses when out and about to reduce direct contact with pollen and not drying clothes outside (they can pick up pollen). But if symptoms worsen despite your best efforts, it’s time to consult a pharmacist in the first instance or your GP if advised by the pharmacist. They may recommend prescription-strength treatments or even allergen immunotherapy for long-term relief.
Spring and summer doesn’t have to mean surrendering to hay fever misery and locking yourself away for months. With a few simple steps, you can reduce your symptoms and protect your eyes, enjoying the seasons to their fullest.
Eye drops alone won’t stop your hay fever symptoms but I have been using the TheraTears® Irritation and Redness Eye Drops and they work very well for me. I still take a daily antihistamine for my hay fever symptoms but when I get itchy and watery eyes when outside I found these drops worked quickly to reduce symptoms and offer excellent relief.
TheraTears® 5-in-1 Irritation and Redness, Screen Eyes and Dry or Tired eye drops are available in Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Boots, Superdrug and Amazon.
RRP: £5.99 for a 10ml bottle.
For more information, please visit www.theratears.co.uk