insideKENT Magazine Issue 52 - July 2016 | Page 82

HEALTH+WELLNESS

how to give hay fever
the heave-ho
Those of us who don’t suffer from hay fever could be forgiven for wondering what could possibly
be so bad about watery eyes and the odd bout of sneezing, but in reality, hay fever sufferers get
it pretty bad. Especially in July, when grass pollen levels peak and symptoms are at their worst.
Fortunately, though, there are ways and means of reducing the telltale signs of hay fever – sneezing,
itchy eyes, and dry, raspy throats – some of which you may be privy to and some of which you
won’t. We’ve rounded up a few top tips for your home and your diet, as well as some expert advice
for runners too, which should help keep that pesky pollen at bay. BY POLLY HUMPHRIS

FOR YOUR HOME

FOR YOUR DIET

Hay fever is an allergy caused by dust and airborne pollen particles that
have blown away from plants, trees and grass, so it makes sense to allergyproof your home with a few simple steps.

Some foods are natural anti-histamines. Create a diet rich in this lovely lot
and you’ll help reduce the effect of histamines and so reduce your symptoms.
Choose healthy foods.
Capers, red onions and
watercress are punchy
ingredients that contain high
amounts of the natural
antihistamine, quercetin, a
plant flavonoid that has been
shown to reduce allergy
reactivity. Snack on pineapple
too – it contains bromelain,
which helps the body to
absorb quercetin. Broccoli,
kale, and peppers give a boost
to the immune system, which will stop you getting hay fever quite so badly;
sweet potato and spinach are handy for keeping the lining on the inside of
your nose stable; and vitamin B5, found in avocados, oily fish, and chicken
is a good all-rounder for reducing allergic symptoms.

Deal with any damp before July gets going. Dust mites love humidity;
left undisturbed, the tiny bugs can produce up to 2,000 particles of waste
during their 10-week life cycle, causing havoc to sufferers, so address any
problems as soon as temperatures start to swell.

Keep your windows and doors closed at peak pollen times. As a rule
of thumb, peak pollen time hits between 8am-10am and 5pm-7pm, so
batten down the hatches to shut out irritants. If it’s a really hot day, air
purifiers are great for circulating cool, clean air.

Remember to take a supplement. Omega 3, vitamin E, vitamin C and
spirulina are the fantastic four of the anti-allergy world. Find a supplement
containing these natural anti-histamines and you’ll help strengthen your
immune system’s response to inflammation.

Bed, bedding and carpet maintenance. Sheets, duvets and deep pile
carpet are a hotbed of pollen-catching activity; encase your pillows and
mattresses in dust-proof covers, and wash sheets, pillowcases and blankets
at least once a week in the hottest water possible. It’s a good idea to wave
goodbye to feathers until the cooler weather sets in too.

Go for the hottest curry on the menu. Or, if you’re making your own, go
heavy on the spices. Turmeric, an orange-yellow spice, widely used in curries
and South Asian cuisine, is believed to reduce inflammation caused by the
enzyme, phospholipase A2, which is provoked into action by pollen in your
system.

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