insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 02 - April 2015 | Page 63

HEALTH+WELLNESS

'TIS THE SEASON FOR

Hayfever

BY LISAMARIE LAMB

Spring and summer are wonderful seasons – colourful, warm, and full of new life and
adventure around every corner. But for some, this time of year is full of misery and pain;
runny noses, non-stop sneezing, itching eyes, sore throats, and all manner of different –
and disastrous – complaints. It’s hayfever season, and those who suffer can have a truly
terrible time, despite the nice weather. Or rather, because of it.

What is Hayfever?
Hayfever is a bit of a mystery. Scientists know
that hayfever is an allergy, and that it causes the
immune systems of those who are affected to
go haywire, detecting something harmless (pollen)
but telling the body that something dangerous
is attacking it. The immune system goes into
overdrive, mounting a response in the best way
it knows how – by trying to rid the body of the
assailant. This can be in the form of sneezing,
watering eyes, itchy skin, and many more tricks
that the body has to combat the perceived
problem. But as to why that mistake is made, no
one is quite sure. Studies are, however, ongoing.
Why Some and Not Others?
Not everyone suffers from hayfever, and not
everyone who does suffer is affected to the same
degree, or has the same symptoms. This all
depends on how a person’s immune system
reacts to pollen – with some studies suggesting
that it’s all in the genes. Research has shown
that many cases of hayfever are genetic, and
that if one or both parents suffer, then their
offspring will also be sneezing and spluttering
when summer rolls around.
That isn’t always the way it works though.
Scientists have found that someone suffering
with asthma is more likely to have hayfever
(despite whether their parents suffer or not), and
the same goes for those with eczema. They have
also found a link between hayfever and being
exposed to tobacco smoke at an early age.

The Causes
‘Pollen’ is a catchall term that describes the main
cause of hayfever, but there are around 30
different varieties of pollen in this country, and
not all hayfever sufferers are allergic to the same
ones (which can make treatment tricky). The main
culprit is grass pollen, which is what around 90%
of those with hayfever have a problem with. Weed
pollen (from dock and nettles), however, is another
offender, as is tree pollen (the worst trees for
releasing allergens are oak, ash, cedar, and birch).
If you suffer from hayfever from late March to
May, tree pollen is probably the cause. May to
July is most likely grass pollen, and June to
September is weed pollen. Of course, you may
be allergic to more than one \Hو