insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 17 - July 2016 | Page 71

FOR RUNNERS
If running’s your exercise of choice, hay fever can
really stop you in your tracks and no one wants
to be stuck inside on a treadmill on a hot, sunny
day. We had a chat with Dr. Jean Emberlin,
scientific director at Allergy UK, about how outdoor
runners can keep their symptoms under control.
“The big problem for runners with hay fever is
that their training involves breathing more deeply,
taking in more air and inevitably taking in more
pollen and spores that will aggravate their
symptoms,” says Jean. “A lot of runners breathe
through their mouth as well as their nose, so they
need to be very careful in managing their exposure
to pollen, but there is advice they can follow that
will help.”
Talk to your pharmacist or GP to find adequate
medication. Cellulose powder that you puff up
your nose such as Nasaleze, forms a gel layer
right up inside your nose, which stops the allergens
reaching the mast cells that cause the hay fever
reaction. For runny eyes, get some eye drops
containing sodium cromoglicate, such as
Opticrom, which will clear the bleariness and help
you focus.
Time your runs around the worst of the pollen
count. The highest pollen counts are usually first
thing in the morning and late afternoon, so if you
do have the luxury of choosing when you train,
a lunchtime run will be much easier on your
symptoms.

Avoid running through long flowering grass, or through woods. If you can, keep to open, short
grass areas or tracks, so you don’t stir up the pollen as you run. Sticking to urban environments is
preferable too, but away from roads and polluted, built up areas.
Shower straight after your run. Wash the pollen off your skin and always wash your hair. Even if
you pop to the shops between training sessions, it’s a good idea wash your nose and eyes out when
you get back inside.
Wear wraparound sunglasses. These are great for keeping pollen out of your eyes and for preventing
exposure to bright sunshine, which will only exaggerate the symptoms of already aggravated eyes.

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