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The first signs of spring and summer are a welcome sight for most of us. But for many mums they are the beginning of months of hayfever misery. And when pregnant, many mums prefer not to use their usual remedy, as some medicines can be harmful to the unborn baby’s health. But you don’t have to suffer in silence; there are many ways to help reduce the unwanted symptoms which you may not have thought of…
Eat some anti-histamines!
Yes, some everyday foods really do contain natural anti-histamines, which can help reduce your symptoms. Red onions, contain an anti-histamine called quercetin. Also, turmeric, an orange-yellow spice widely used in curries and South Asian dishes, is believed to reduce inflammation caused by the enzyme phospholipase A2, which is provoked into action by pollen in your system. So if you’re lucky enough to develop a strange taste for these during pregnancy, it may be your body’s way of trying to help you!
Cut the pollen at work and play
Reducing the amount of pollen getting into your body is another way of helping or cutting out the symptoms altogether…
Pollen counts are highest in the early morning or evening, so if you aren’t going out to work, you could try avoiding going out at these times. When you do go out, wearing wrap-around sunglasses can reduce the amount of pollen getting in your eyes – reducing runny or swollen eyes. And when you get back home, it is a good idea to wash your hair, or do so in the evening, as pollen can get trapped in the hair, disturbing your sleep. And don’t get changed in the bedroom, as this will disturb pollen collected in your clothes, which you will breathe in during the night, and will affect your sleep.
Make a ‘Pollen Trap’
Natural pollen barrier balms applied to the base of the nose and around the eyes throughout the day can help trap pollen before it enters the body. This can be very effective at helping to prevent and reduce hayfever symptoms. The stickier the balm, the more pollen it will trap. HayMax pollen barrier balms, have been proven “to block over a third of pollen grains in the air before they enter the body.” [1]
HayMax has been formulated to be suitable for pregnant and breast-feeding women and there’ve been lots of positive comments about it on Mumsnet, as well multiple awards from Bizziebaby parenting website. This soothing balm, which can be used by your children too, contains only natural and organically grown ingredients (certified with the Soil Association). It is applied to the base of the nostrils to help stop pollen entering the body. It’s drug-free, and with no drowsy sideeffects, it won’t affect you whilst driving or when you’re working, or whilst taking exams.
HayMax™ retails at £6.99 for a 5ml pot and is available from www.haymax.biz, on 01525 406600, from Asda, Holland & Barrett, selected branches of Tesco, Boots and Waitrose, and independent health stores, chemists and pharmacies.
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Hayfever and Pregnancy
Once you find out or suspect that you are pregnant, you should consult your doctor if you are taking regular medication – and ideally before you start trying for a baby, as it may take a while for your body to be clear of any possible effects. You should also tell your doctor, dentist or other healthcare practitioner that you are pregnant before any treatment, so they can prescribe and treat you safely.

References
[1] Chief Investigator: Professor Roy Kennedy, Principal Investigator: Louise Robertson, Researcher:
Dr Mary Lewis, National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, 1 st February 2012.
HayMax™ is proud to be Allergy UK’s official corporate hay fever partner.
Several new case studies available, with photos
Why do we get hayfever?
Hayfever is a result of our immune systems' overreaction to innocuous antigens such as pollen.
These antigens stimulate the bodies’ mast cells, which then break or degranulate, releasing mediators that include histamines. These mediators can cause the unpleasant itching, redness and inflammation associated with hayfever.
Further Information
Max Wiseberg, founder of HayMax Limited, is available for interview. He is an excellent speaker on the subject of hayfever, having appeared on 34 radio stations and a 2 hour chat show on the BBC.
If you would like to arrange an interview, please call Ian or Jenny Liddle on 01761 413 022.
If you require any further information about HayMax™, please contact:
Ian and Jenny Liddle, Excellart telephone: 01761 413 022 email: zippy@excellart.co.uk facebook: www.facebook.com/Excellart twitter: www.twitter.com/excellart
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