For immediate release
Survey Shows Hayfever Affects Attendance and Job Performance
A survey from the US has found that rhinitis and asthma can affect both job performance and
attendance. The most common form of rhinitis is seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever), triggered by
airborne allergens such as pollen. However, if you trap pollen before it gets in your system using a
pollen barrier balm, you’re well on the way to overcoming this irritating summer condition….
In a survey carried out at the University of California, almost 25% of people with either rhinitis or
asthma had taken at least one day or part of a day off work specifically due to their illness in the
previous four weeks. And a third of rhinitis sufferers reported that their symptoms were bad enough
to have a negative impact on their job performance [1].
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes, nose and throat,
and watery eyes. Hayfever is the most common form of allergic rhinitis in the UK, with an estimated
15 million sufferers, and occurs as a result of our immune system’s overreaction to pollen. Too much
pollen stimulates the body’s mast cells, which then break or degranulate, releasing mediators that
include histamines. These mediators can cause many symptoms including the unpleasant itching,
red eyes, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and itchy roof of the mouth and ears associated with
hayfever.
Many people take anti histamines to cope with their hay fever. But, as airborne allergies expert Max
Wiseberg says, “Histamines, as well as being the nasty things that cause the horrible symptoms of
hay fever, are also very useful things which keep us alert, attentive and awake. That is why anti
histamines can make us drowsy and can, therefore, affect our job performance.”
Fortunately there are ways to combat your hay fever without causing drowsy side-effects. HayMax
pollen barrier balms have been proven in independent studies to trap pollen, as well as other
airborne allergens that could cause similar problems. As long as this keeps you below your
sensitivity level, the nasty symptoms won’t be triggered – so no negative effects on job
performance and attendance.
Applying the balm around the base of each nostril two or three times a day during the pollen
season provides a highly effective pollen barrier. It works by helping to stop the pollen from getting
into your body. And if it isn’t in your body, it can’t make you sneeze. An independent study in July
2009 by Professor Jean Emberlin, Director of the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit
(NPARU), showed that HayMax™ “does trap significantly more pollen than an uncoated nostril”. [2]
This balm has also been proven in an NPARU study to “block over a third of pollen grains in the air
before they enter the body”, as well as dust and pet allergens. [3]
HayMax drug-free pollen barrier balms retail at £6.99 per pot (enough to last many people a whole
hayfever season) and are available from Holland & Barrett; selected Morrisons, Waitrose and Boots;
independent chemists, pharmacists and health stores; on 01525 406600 and from haymax.biz.
NOTES TO EDITORS
References
[1] The study was carried out by researchers from University of California, San Francisco, USA, who
investigated the impact of asthma and rhinitis in the workplace.
[2] Prof Jean Emberlin, Independent Research on HayMax Pollen Barrier Balm, The National Pollen
and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU) University of Worcester WR2 6 AJ, July 20th 2009.
[3] Chief Investigator: Professor Roy Kennedy, Principal Investigator: Louise Robertson, Researcher:
Dr Mary Lewis, National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, 1st February 2012.
Max Wiseberg
Max Wiseberg is an expert on hayfever and airborne allergies. He regularly writes in the press for
publications including Health Food Business, The Practicing Midwife, Pharmacy magazines, Natural
Lifestyle, Your Healthy Living and has appeared on BBC radio, many local radio stations, as well as
Fitness TV and the Holiday & Cruise channel. If you would like to arrange an interview with Max or
require any further information, please call Ian or Jenny Liddle on 01761 413 022.
HayMax™ is proud to be Allergy UK’s official corporate hay fever partner for 2014. Allergy UK is the
leading national charity providing support, advice and information for those with allergies,
intolerance and chemical sensitivity.
About HayMax™
HayMax™ is not a cure for hayfever, but traps pollen before it enters the body. Hayfever is an
allergic reaction to pollen. Each person can tolerate a certain amount of pollen without reaction –
their ‘trigger’ level – below which they suffer no effects, but above that an allergic reaction occurs.
And as long as HayMax™ keeps the sufferer below their trigger level, they will have no allergic
reaction.
HayMax™ products have gained no less than 27 awards, including a recent Platinum Award from
Janey Lee Grace, a Highly Commended in the Natural Lifestyle Awards, a gold award from
bizziebaby.co.uk, the ‘Janey Loves’ logo, a nomination in the Vegetarian Society Awards 2010 and
the Allergy Friendly Product Award – which shows that products are beneficial for allergy sufferers
based on consumer opinion and approved by AllergyUK.
Further Information
If you require any further information about HayMax, or product images, please contact:
Ian and Jenny Liddle, Excellart, 01761 413022
info@excellart.co.uk www.facebook.com/Excellart www.twitter.com/excellart
ENDS