For immediate release
Hay Fever Starts Earlier in the Year As More People Suffer
The increase in the numbers of people from all walks of life being referred by their GP with the
more severe manifestation of allergic rhinitis has continued over the past couple of years,
reports Andrew Williams, a Consultant Nurse in Allergy...
“Despite the recent summers being pretty much a washout and expected referrals therefore
taking a nosedive due to lower average pollen counts, the evidence is that people are
suffering to the extent to be bothered to do something about their uncontrolled symptoms,”
says Andrew Williams, Consultant Nurse in Allergy at Homerton University Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust.
Andrew continues, “Most people in the UK with tree pollen allergy suffer from birch pollen
rhinoconjunctivitis [hay fever] in April and May. However, more patients are presenting with
tree pollen hayfever in February than before. They are allergic to more uncommon allergens
like plane and ash pollen from February to mid May, and at least a third have grass pollen to
contend with too. This would extend their hayfever season and need for treatments by a
good 2 to 3 months. That’s 5 months of misery and lost productivity.”
“The definitive treatment for respiratory allergies like hayfever is immunotherapy which can
modify the way the immune system responds to being provoked with the offending allergen
and this effect can be permanent. For a small group of people with severe hayfever – whose
symptoms of runny itchy nose, multiple sneezing, nasal congestion, itching in the mouth, eyes
and throat and sometimes tight wheezy chest – immunotherapy is the answer.”
“However, conventional treatment of antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays are usually
sufficient if taken regularly to improve symptoms for the majority of sufferers.”
“Having talked about medicines we should not forget the first line of defence against allergy;
avoidance of the allergen. This can be difficult and results in some good but pretty
impractical advice being given on occasions, such as don’t go out in the summer, avoid
going out in the mornings and evenings when pollen counts are highest! However patients
could also try pollen “barrier” balms that are available over the counter which contain no
drugs but can help to prevent allergens from reaching the immune system which activates
the difficult nasal symptoms.”
HayMax organic, drug-free pollen barrier balms help prevent or reduce hayfever symptoms.
The balms are applied around the base of the nostrils to form an invisible barrier against
pollen. And they have been proven in independent studies to block over one third of pollen
grains before they enter the body [1]. As long as this is enough to stop the sufferer going over
their sensitivity level, their hayfever symptoms won’t be triggered.
As they are drug-free, HayMax balms are suitable for children, pregnant and breast feeding
women, and for use while driving and during exams.
HayMax pollen barrier balms retail at £6.99 per pot and are available from Holland & Barrett,
selected Morrisons, Waitrose and Boots, independent chemists, pharmacists and health
stores, on 01525 406600 and from haymax.biz.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Reference
[1] Chief Investigator: Professor Roy Kennedy, Principal Investigator: Louise Robertson,
Researcher: Dr Mary Lewis, National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, 1st February 2012.
(Study carried out on the HayMax allergen barrier balm.)
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
Why do we get hayfever?
Hayfever is 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.
About HayMax™
HayMax™ is not a cure for hayfever, but by trapping pollen before it enters the body, it helps
keep the sufferer hayfever-free for longer. 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.
Andrew Williams
Andrew Williams is a Consultant Nurse for Allergy at Homerton University Hospital NHS and is
an expert in hayfever and other airborne allergies. He is available for interview or comment.
To arrange an interview or expert comments, please contact Jenny Liddle at Excellart on
01761 413 022 or info@excellart.co.uk.
Further Information
If you require any further information about HayMax™, please contact:
Ian and Jenny Liddle, Excellart, 01761 413022
info@excellart.co.uk www.facebook.com/Excellart www.twitter.com/excellart
ENDS