28 April 2009
The clocks have gone forward, the cold weather is finally behind us and people across Sutton, Merton and Epsom are starting to get out into their local parks and gardens.
But for many people, this time of year also heralds a return of an unwanted guest: hayfever.
A leading expert at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is giving local residents advice on simple steps they can take to help reduce the symptoms of hayfever and related allergies.
Dr Grant Hayman is Head of Immunology at the Trust. His department covers all aspects of the body's immune system, including allergies. He said: "As with all allergies, the symptoms happen as a result of your immune system (the body's defence system) overreacting to a normally harmless substance. In this case, pollen.
"Hayfever is a very common condition that affects one in every five people in the country. It's caused by an allergy to airborne substances such as grass or tree pollen, which affects the upper respiratory passages (nose, sinus, throat and eyes).
"Hayfever symptoms can be similar to a cold, and include a runny nose, watery eyes and repeated sneezing attacks.
"The best way to control an allergy is to avoid the trigger, but it's very difficult to avoid pollen, particularly during the summer months when you want to spend time outdoors. However, you should try to minimise your exposure to it by staying indoors when the pollen count is particularly high and avoiding tasks such as mowing the grass. You may find it helps to wear wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen from getting in your eyes and drying your washing indoors so that pollen doesn't stick to your clothes."
Dr Hayman added that people who suffer from asthma and are sensitive to pollen must take extra care and follow any advice from their doctor or nurse. He said: "You may be able to control your symptoms by adjusting your asthma medication so ask your doctor to produce a plan for you for the summer. If you are in any doubt at all, please call your GP for advice."
The immunology unit at St Helier Hospital diagnoses and treats a number of conditions, including severe allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome and immunodeficiency (which means that some part of the body's immune system is inadequate so resistance to infectious diseases is reduced).
