hayfever Archives - Lifelab Testing

Tag: hayfever

The do’s and don’ts of a pollen allergy

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Seasonal allergies can be an utter misery if you are suffering from them, as they can cause so many issues which leave you feeling upset and tied down. Worry no longer! As the pollen count rises, there are some things that you need to do in order to keep your pollen allergy symptoms at bay.

What to do if you suffer from a pollen allergy?

It may sound tedious but you do need to stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is high. This will help you to cope with your pollen allergy (hay fever), as the pollen will not be able to gain access to your body.

If it is windy, then Allergy Clinic recommends that you also avoid places where dust and pollen are likely to blow about more than usual. Nowadays, with the way modern technology has been transformed, you can even access a pollen counter and download it straight to your phone.

Find the right medication right for you

You need to find the right medication for you. If your allergy test has highlighted that you may have a pollen allergy then you should contact your GP or health professional immediately. If you have seen an allergist, then they should give the right medication for you. Hay fever and food allergens like wheat, gluten and shellfish are perfect examples of why allergy testing can be beneficial for you.

Myths and truths of Hay Fever

If you are suffering from a pollen allergy, then you will probably read plenty of articles (like this one) highlighting what to do in order to cope with your intolerances and allergies.

Lifelab Testing recommend ordering an allergy test to identify whether it is hay fever causing your symptoms or something else entirely. We also recommend wearing sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes. We don’t, however, recommend wrapping vaseline around your nostrils as this is a myth to stop hay fever. Although some pollen will get stuck to the vaseline, it does not completely block it from entering your nose.

In conclusion

Overall, we would recommend identifying if you have an intolerance or a pollen allergy immediately.

4 myths about Hay Fever you need to stop believing

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

Suffering from a stuffy nose? Will your nose not stop running? Have you got an itchy throat? Make sure you take an allergy test to stop yourself from suffering from allergy symptoms today. At this time of year, many people put their symptoms down to hay fever, but there are many other things you need to know about!

So, if you think that you are one of the 18 million people in the UK who is struggling from your symptoms, then you should make sure you know what is causing your symptoms, as it might not be hay fever. Order your allergy test today. But for now, here are 4 myths you need to know about hay fever if that is in fact, what is causing your issues.

1) Flowers cause your allergies

Lots of people think that being around flowers will set off hay fever. This is not true at all. Pollen which is most likely associated with your allergies is probably airborne, and will come from grass, weeds and trees. So, if it is a pollen allergy or hay fever that you are struggling with then look no further than an allergy test to find out which items could be affecting you. Allergies are not to be messed around with, so do not let hay fever or any other allergy ruin your life.

2) Hay causes Hay Fever

This is genuinely a myth, which is even more confusing! Hay contains grass and pollen grains which could cause your runny nose. So, hay might not be causing hay fever symptoms. Find out from a Lifelab allergy test which items you need to look out for. We do advise however that you do stay away from these sorts of things and take precautions to stop your hay fever.

3) Rain cannot clear pollen

This isn’t a complete myth like before. The logic makes sense… Rain will temporarily clear pollen from the air, but it always comes back. After the rain, there is often an increase in wind gusts and draughts after the rain. These factors subsequently increase the pollen count, and this leads to symptoms just before, or even after the rain starts. So, don’t rely on the rain to get you out of trouble.

4) Vaseline won’t help

Vaseline does not always stop your hay fever symptoms. It can catch some of the pollen particles but it will not catch them all. A bit of vaseline either side and in the nose can catch a few grains, but plenty of it will stop the grains going up your nose. Try allergy testing and check out our extensive and detailed website to see what we can do to help you.

For more information on allergies and intolerances, please log on to our website to see how we can help you to understand your symptoms.

Seasonal allergies: Know which allergies will flare up this summer and how to treat them

Posted on by Kate Young

Lifelab’s in-house Nutritional Therapist, Sian Baker, advises that pollen and mould are the two most common seasonal allergens. She says:

Pollen

“Pollen is the most commonly known of the seasonal allergens and it is responsible for hay fever – however there are three different types of pollen to be aware of; tree, grass and weed, each of which is prevalent at different times of the year.

“February to June is peak time for tree pollen, whilst grass pollen is usually found between May and July, and weed pollen between June and September. During these times, you will expect to experience symptoms outdoors, however there are a number of ways to prevent the pollen from affecting you indoors, too, including: drying any washing inside, keeping windows and doors closed, taking a shower and changing clothes after having been outside, and brushing or bathing any dogs after a walk.

“People who suffer from an allergy to any pollens should also be aware of Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS), which manifests as reactions to certain foods, in the form of tingling and itching in the mouth, throat and lips. The foods wihch are most likely to cause this include specific fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and spices, whose protein structure is similar to that of each pollen.

“An example of this would be a person with a birch allergy experiencing symptoms after eating apples, plums, kiwis, carrots, celery, hazelnuts, almonds, sunflowers seeds, oregano, basil or dill, all of which have a similar structure to birch. Such a reaction only usually occurs after ingesting raw varieties of fruits and vegetables. A person may also experience reactions to certain items but not others. ”

Mould

“A mould allergy can cause very similar symptoms to that of hay fever, including itchy eyes or throat, watering or red eyes, sneezing, and/or a blocked or runny nose. It can also trigger asthma, should the mould spores reach the lungs.

“When the mould grows and spreads, it produces spores, which travel through the air and can cause reactions. These moulds can be found both outdoors, on fallen leaves, on rotting logs, in compost piles and on dead plants, and in damp spots indoors.”

“With mould, year-round reactions can occur, however, others are seasonal, including Cladosporium, which is most prevalent between June and August, Alternaria, which can be found between July and September, and both Aspergillus and Penicillium between October and March.

“To avoid reactions from mould, reduce damp in the home by improving airflow through rooms, using an extraction fan, cleaning windows to remove mildew, keeping bathroom tiles and utilities clean, not leaving damp clothing around, repairing leaks and investing in a dehumidifier. When working in the garden, consider wearing a mask, particularly when mowing the lawn, removing any leaves or digging around plants.

“Any allergy symptoms can be further reduced by limiting the consumption of histamine-rich foods when symptoms are severe – these foods tend to be those which are fermented and aged, including alcohol, matured cheeses, smoked meats, ready meals and products containing yeast. Keeping hydrated can also minimise the symptoms of allergies.”

Information on allergies

For more information on allergies and intolerances, including dealing with hay fever or pollen intolerance then check out www.lifelabtesting.com in order to find out more. Remember, once you have purchased a test, you can also purchase sessions with our Nutritional Therapists who will be delighted to assist you with understanding your reports and walking you through your results!

Dealing with Hay Fever in the Summer Months

Posted on by Donna Mastriani

It can’t have escaped your notice that the UK is experiencing a warm spell not seen since the mid-1970s and whilst this is great for sun worshippers and seaside goers alike, it’s not good news for everyone. Around 1 in 4 Britons suffer from hay fever, which equates to a staggering 15 million people and when it gets warm, the misery and irritation that comes with hay fever is unleashed.

Surprisingly, however, many of the people suffering from hay fever don’t know it and simply put the symptoms they experience down to other factors, like tiredness, colds and flu. For those people that this applies to, the unfortunate fact is that they are more than likely suffering unnecessarily, as there is a range over the counter, non-prescription medication available to tackle the problem.

Throw into the mix the fact that there are numerous types of hay fever, which are triggered by a range of grasses, trees and weeds and you soon see why it can sometimes be tricky to put your finger on the root of any ‘hay fever-like’ symptoms you might be having.


The Symptoms

During the Spring, Summer and sometimes even in the Autumn months, Hay Fever can strike, and the symptoms felt can be quite varied, but they all point to the same kind of allergic irritation:

Typically, hay fever symptoms include:

A headache
Earache
Dry throat
Asthma
A complete loss of sense of smell
Irritated Sinuses
Sneezing
Sore and/or watery eyes
Itchiness of the soft tissue in the eyes, mouth and nose

If you regularly experience any of the above symptoms, then there’s more than an average chance that you have some form of hay fever, but the good news is that there are ways and means of minimising the effects and easing your irritation.


Relief


There is a raft of non-prescription medication available from your local pharmacy for dealing with the problem of hay fever and they range from simple antihistamines to decongestants, eye drops and steroidal treatments. For each symptom, there will be a medication to lessen its effects.

However, how can you be sure exactly what is causing your own particular form of hay fever? How do you know that you’re not wasting money on medication for something you might not even have?


Get Tested!


At Lifelab Testing, we offer simple, painless blood screening services that pinpoint exactly what your body is allergic to. So, instead of going through the painstaking process of trying to identify what’s causing your problem, you can have a detailed report produced of not only your own allergic triggers but also foods that you might be intolerant to.

The whole process is usually completed within a week and it can all be done from the comfort of your own home. It doesn’t cost the earth either, with tests starting at £68.99, you could be living free from hay fever and a range of other allergic conditions in no time. If not, you’ll at least be armed with the knowledge you need to know to best avoid whatever it is your body has a tough time dealing with.

If you’d like to know about taking the next step, click here, and you’ll find everything you need to know. There’s even a ‘live chat’ facility to allow you talk to our friendly experts and ask any questions you might have.

We look forward to helping free you from the misery that is Hay Fever.