Keeping Hay Fever Under Control

With pollen counts reportedly exceeding all previous records in the UK, asthma experts have issued advice for helping to keep hay fever under control.

Almost 80% of people with asthma say that their symptoms are triggered by pollen. Many treatments offer fast and effective relief, but there are also a few simple precautions you can take to help minimise symptoms.

Top tips for keeping hay fever under control

Karen Newell, a nurse specialist on the Asthma UK Adviceline, offers the following advice:

-- Check the pollen forecast on the television or in the newspaper before venturing outside. If it's a high pollen count stay indoors.

-- Keep doors and windows closed when the pollen count is at its highest.

-- Vacuum and damp dust regularly with a damp cloth to remove any lingering pollen or spores.

-- Smear Vaseline inside your nose. It helps stop pollen and spores settling on the lining of your nose.

-- Choose a low pollen count day for gardening, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and a hat to protect hair from pollens. Do not wear gardening clothes inside as allergens cling to clothes.

-- Regularly splash your eyes with cold water. This will soothe and cool your eyes and will also help to flush out any pollen.

-- Keep furry pets out of the house. Pollen and spores collect on their fur and are likely to carried back into the house.

-- Stop people smoking in your home. Smoking and breathing in other people's smoke irritates the lining of the nose, eyes, throat and airways which can make hay fever symptoms worse.

-- Call the Asthma UK Adviceline (08457 01 02 03) to speak to an asthma nurse specialist. They can advise you on the specific treatments you can use in addition to hay fever precautions.

'If you have asthma you may already have a personal asthma action plan telling you what to do when your asthma gets worse,' adds Karen.

'If you don't have one, speak to your GP or nurse before the hay fever season starts. They can develop a plan with you, and explain how to recognise when your asthma is getting worse and what you can do about it.'

PERSONAL ASTHMA ACTION PLAN

http://www.asthma.org.uk