Wales: Hayfever sufferers warned as pollen "very high"

Airborne allergens expert Max Wiseberg said: “Pollen forecasts are very high for Wales for this weekend. With grass pollen now in peak season, most hay fever sufferers will be affected.

"It is estimated that 95% of all hay fever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen."

He added: “Doesn’t it drive you mad with all the tips asking you to stay inside if you have hay fever?

“If you’re like me, you’ll prefer to go out and suffer rather than stay cooped up indoors at the weekend. So here are some tips to help you enjoy the outdoors – without having to suffer.”

Tips to help you enjoy the outdoors

“The best way to deal with an allergen is to avoid it in the first place – if it’s not in your body, you can’t react to it! But that’s impossible with pollen, so why not try another way to stop it getting in your body? 

"HayMax organic drug-free allergen barrier balms can be applied to the nostrils and bones of the eyes in the morning and throughout the day, to trap over a third of pollen particles before they enter the body where they can cause symptoms. Less pollen, less reaction!”

“Wear wraparound sunglasses when you’re outdoors to help prevent pollen particles coming into contact with your eyes. Avoid areas with oak and birch trees if possible, especially early mornings and early evenings.

"Tie your hair up and wear a hat, cap or other head covering when outside to help prevent pollen particles being caught in your hair. Don’t dry your clothes on a clothes line outdoors, as pollen particles will be blown onto the clothes by the outside wind; dry them indoors instead.”

“When you return home, take a shower and change your clothes to remove any pollen particles that have become trapped on your skin and clothes and in your hair.”

“Many people find it difficult to find a product that does the whole job for their hay fever or find that the product that was good stops working when pollen levels are very high.

"So I have been suggesting that people use a combination of natural products and conventional medicine for hay fever, dust and pet allergies, and many people find that this provides a good solution for them – a Hay Fever First Aid Kit.”

“First of all apply your organic allergen barrier balm, which will lessen the amount of pollen your body has to deal with.”

“Then if you are OK using drugs, antihistamine tablets can relieve hay fever symptoms  such as sneezing, itchy, runny eyes, skin irritation, itchy nose and throat, but are less effective for nasal congestion.

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"So adding a nasal spray to your kit is useful. Steroid nasal sprays reduce inflammation in the nose and work best for clearing nasal symptoms including itching, sneezing, watering and congestion.

"Eye drops may be useful for reducing itchy, watering, swollen eyes. If you prefer not to take drugs, there are natural antihistamines available such as quercetin and butterbur.”

“Tablets, sprays and drops can be taken individually or in combination to help combat the symptoms of your allergy, depending on which symptoms you suffer from and how severe they are.

"There are many different brands, so don’t give up if the first one you try doesn’t work for you; you may well find another version that works better.

"It’s advisable to ask your GP or pharmacist before combining treatments and never take more than one antihistamine or more than one nasal spray at a time.”

“And it’s not just outdoors that you need to think about pollen; it can get indoors too, so a good strategy is to also stop it getting into the home. Close windows and doors to prevent pollen blowing indoors.

"Vacuum the house regularly (especially beds and fabrics) to remove pollen particles, and when you’re dusting, damp dust, so that pollen particles are not redistributed into the air.

"If you own a pet then ensure that it is well groomed and shampooed as much as possible to remove pet allergens and pollen particles.”