Hay Fever

The term Hay fever is something of a misnomer in that it relates to a particular season when the grass and hay pollens are released into the atmosphere. (May to July). The more appropriate term is Allergic Rhinitis in that it takes in other seasons of the year when there is a release of pollens e.g. trees, weeds, and rape etc. The symptoms a re caused by the release of histamine in the cells of the lining membranes of the nose and eyes, also in the more severe cases the lungs, creating a running itching nose, sore red eyes and the wheezing of asthma.

Simple measures help to reduce the problem: avoiding the open air (difficult when the sun is shining) especially during grass cutting and haymaking: taking a shower after being outdoors, keeping windows and doors closed during hot weather (although it is possible to fit pollen filters to both cars and house windows): looking out for the pollen counts on weather reports and acting accordingly.

Treatments are various, antihistamine sprays and tablets (the latter can have a sedative effect): steroid nose sprays: and a variety of eye drops. Decongestant nose sprays and tablets should not be used on a long term basis as they can cause rebound congestion or conflict with other therapy e.g. for hypertension.

Steroid nose sprays often seem to be the most effective often with other treatments but used regularly. Other alternatives are Sodium Cromoglycate, used more frequently, Ipratropium Bromide (which reduces excessive mucous production). For eye symptoms there are antihistamine drops and cromoglycate drops.

For the most severe cases it is sometimes necessary to take a limited course of steroids by mouth under medical supervision. Similarly asthmatic patients will require the various inhaler therapies that are available. The ‘maturer age group’ are unlikely to be suitable for a course of desensitisation.

Finally the popular press has recently been reporting recent research which is reputed to demonstrate that thirty minutes of continuous ‘passionate kissing’ reduces the immune response, thus treating hay fever! How such an activity is compatible or possible with a dripping nose and sore red eyes is difficult to understand and unlikely to appeal to many of the maturer age group, but there may be some willing to try!

[ Back to The Scarlet Woman ]

This site is administered by cjsmithmedia.co.uk