Treating hay fever naturally and 10 things you never knew about it

Hay fever season is upon us and for anyone who suffers with the classic runny eyes, itchy throat and sneezes, understanding this pollen allergy triggered condition is essential.

Here we have 10 facts from HayMax, who produce natural alternatives to chemical-based drug treatments and instead have developed organic allergen barrier balms. These top 10 facts include many things you may not know about hay fever – from famous faces who suffer with it, to why driving while suffering with hay fever is not a good idea:

Bumblebees’ perfect pitch makes pollen explode! Bumblebees make a buzzing sound in the tone of the note middle C, causing flowers to explosively release pollen.

Your pet could be a walking pollen bomb! Cat and dog fur is perfect for trapping pollen so for those of you who have pets, it’s imperative to wash and brush them regularly.

Avoid fast food if you have hay fever. This is because processed, deep fried foods stimulate mucus, which can build up in the throat and make your hay fever symptoms worse.

The physician John Bostock first described hay fever in 1819. His paper read to the Medical and Chirurgical Society on 16 March 1819 on summer catarrh was the first description of hay fever. He presented an interesting ‘Case of a periodical affection of the eyes and chest’, the first recorded description of what he later called ‘catarrhus aestivus’ or summer catarrh, and which soon became known as hay fever.

Eating yoghurt can help your hay fever! Probiotic yoghurt, that is. New research from the University of Florida demonstrates that probiotics may help to reduce hay fever. This is because probiotics increase the body’s percentage of regulatory T-cells, which in turn helps to increase tolerance to the allergy’s symptoms.

Organic allergen barrier balms can stop pollen getting into your body and triggering hay fever symptoms. HayMax organic, drug-free allergen barrier balms have been proven to trap over one third of pollen grains before they enter the body.

Blame your parents? If one of your parents suffers from hay fever, you have a much greater chance of having it yourself. You’re also more likely to get it if you are the eldest child.

The term ‘hay fever’ was first used by The Times in 1827, when it reported that the Duke of Devonshire was “afflicted with what is vulgarly called the Hay-fever, which annually drives him from London to some sea-port”.

Famous hay fever sufferers include Jon Bon Jovi, Guns and Roses Bass player Tommy Stinson, Eastenders actor Jack Ryder, sports commentator John Inverdale and comedian, writer and actress, Helen Lederer.

Your hay fever could make you unfit to drive! If you’re suffering with hay fever, the medication you choose could make you unfit to drive. A new survey by Confused.com found that (64%) of hay fever sufferers admitted to driving after taking medication. 55% stated they had felt drowsy, 35% said that they had blurry vision after taking hay fever medication. And 7% stated that their ability to drive had in one instance been impaired while taking hay fever medication. 4% of these people had been involved in a road accident as a result of driving after taking their hay fever medication [6]. However, using a drug-free, non-drowsy organic allergen barrier balm won’t give you these un-wanted side-effects when you’re driving.

For more information on treating your hay fever without the use of drugs, go to: www.haymax.biz.

HayMax organic drug-free allergen 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.