Spring and summer can be such a beautiful time of year. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, gardens come into bloom and we spend more time outdoors. It’s the season of weddings, gatherings and eating alfresco and often the moments people look forward to the most.
But for many, hay fever casts a shadow over even the loveliest of plans.
If you suffer with hay fever, you’ll know how hard it can be to feel like yourself during the height of the pollen season. The constant sneezing, streaming eyes and foggy head can make even the simplest things feel exhausting. Social plans become something to get through rather than enjoy.
You’re certainly not alone in this. Around 26% of adults and up to 15% of children in the UK experience hay fever each year.
Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergies, is the body reacting to pollen as though it were a threat. When pollen is inhaled, the immune system releases histamine. It’s a neurotransmitter designed to protect us but in doing so, it creates the very symptoms we struggle with.
Symptoms can vary from person to person but commonly include:
Many of the clients I see have been taking antihistamines, sometimes just during the season and sometimes all year round.
They often tell me the same thing. The medication takes the edge off, but the symptoms return as soon as they stop. And alongside that they are ‘Not feeling that great’.
Some of them comment on a heaviness they are experiencing.
Fatigue.
And a mental fog that’s hard to describe but very real when you’re living with it.
Antihistamines work by blocking histamine, which is why they can reduce symptoms like itching and sneezing. But histamine also plays an important role in keeping us awake, alert and mentally clear. When we suppress it, it has an effect.
There are two main types of antihistamines drowsy (sedating) and non-drowsy (non-sedating) antihistamines.
Drowsy antihistamines are typically older medications known as ‘first generation’. This type can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause sleepiness. They are sometimes used at night when symptoms disrupt sleep.
Common examples include:
Because of their sedative effect, these medications are usually not recommended before driving or operating machinery.
Non-drowsy antihistamines are newer medications known as ‘second generation’ These are designed to relieve allergy symptoms without causing much drowsiness. They are commonly used during the daytime.
Examples include:
Rare but important
Although called “non-drowsy,” some people may still experience fatigue depending on the medication and individual sensitivity.
Another pattern I’m noticing is that people feel their hay fever is getting worse.
Symptoms are starting earlier.
Lasting longer.
Feeling more intense each year.
There are several possible reasons for this.
Long term pollen data across multiple continents shows that rising temperatures associated with climate change alter pollen season timing and intensity.
Read the research:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30904111/ Longer Pollen Seasons
Warmer temperatures and milder winters mean that plants begin releasing pollen earlier in the year and continue for longer increasing the amount of pollen produced by trees and plants.
Higher Pollen Levels Carbon dioxide and warmer conditions encourage plants to grow more vigorously, which can increase the amount of pollen in the air.
Air Pollution Air pollution can interact with pollen particles and make them more irritating to the airways. Pollutants can also damage the lining of the respiratory system, making the body more sensitive to allergens.
Together these factors mean that people today are often exposed to more pollen for longer periods of time, which may help explain why hay fever appears to be increasing.
This is where homeopathy offers a different way of looking at things. Rather than suppressing the body’s response, the aim is to gently support the system so it becomes less reactive over time. To bring the body back into a state of balance, where it can tolerate everyday exposures, including pollen, more easily. One of the questions I am often asked is, “What is the best remedy for hay fever?”
The honest answer is that there is not just one remedy. Homeopathy is individual. Two people with hay fever may experience completely different symptoms, and so the remedies they need can be entirely different too.
There are many remedies that can be helpful, but a few come up frequently.
Euphrasia
Often thought of when the eyes are the main focus, streaming, irritated and sensitive to light.
Allium cepa
May be more suited to those with a very runny nose, frequent sneezing and irritation around the nostrils, often feeling better in fresh air.
Sabadilla
Typically considered when sneezing comes in sudden bursts, with a tickling sensation in the nose and watery eyes.
These are simply starting points. The real key is understanding the person. And piecing together why this might be happening.
Many of the people I work with have had hay fever for years. By this point, the body can feel like it is stuck in a heightened state of reactivity. In these cases, a consultation allows us to look more deeply. We explore not just the symptoms, but the wider picture, including diet, environment, stress and anything else that may be contributing. This helps build a clearer understanding of your overall health and how best to support you.
If this resonates with you and you would like to understand how homeopathy could support you or your family, I offer a free 15 minute discovery call. It is a chance to talk, ask questions and see if this approach feels right for you.
