Commuter fever
Commuters are bearing the brunt of the 2008 hay fever season. A national survey conducted by New You has revealed that people who travel regularly into cities for work are as much as 23% more likely to suffer from hay fever than those who don’t commute. It also shows that people who were first-born or only children are far more likely to develop the condition than younger siblings.
Is commuting giving you hay fever?
Older siblings give you dirt, bugs and immunity
Allergy: the epidemic of modern life
COMMUTER FEVER
Commuters already suffer from record fuel prices, the highest rail fares in Europe and congested roads. Now it seems the long journey to work is making them ill as well. New You’s Dr David Bull says there are a number of possible causes: "Working in a city and commuting daily by road or rail exposes you to high levels of air pollution which can actually sensitise the nasal epithelium, the lining of the nose, and make you more prone to hay fever. Also, if you commute by car, you get bombarded by very high levels of pollen as you drive."
John Collard is the Clinical Director of independent allergy charity Allergy UK. He’s seen New You’s research and says commuting by road can give you pollen overload because of the long grass and shrubs around commuter routes: "This survey has confirmed some of the suspicions and thoughts that we have. The pollen count you can have inside your car when you’re driving down the motorway can be up to 10,000 pollen grains per cubic metre. We normally think of a high pollen count as being 150 pollen grains per cubic metre"
ROAD SAFETY
For drivers, hay fever is much more than an inconvenience. If you suffer badly, you probably shouldn’t drive. A sneezing fit can be dangerous on the road and according to the AA, hay fever drugs can also be risky. Andrew Howard, head of road safety at the AA, says drivers should be careful choosing over the counter remedies: "some hay fever medicines can make you very sleepy so drivers should be careful to choose non-drowsy versions. If you’re in any doubt ask the chemist for advice"
The essential guide to hay fever treatments
FIRST-BORN AND ONLY-CHILDREN ALSO SUFFER
The survey also has bad news for first-born or only-children. They are significantly more likely to suffer from hay fever than people who were born into families where there were already siblings. For example, the survey shows an only-child is 40% more likely to have hay fever than a second child. Dr Bull says this backs up cutting edge research: "having older siblings around when you’re born means you’re exposed to bacteria and infections. According to recent research, that helps educate your developing immune system and stops it over-reacting to harmless pollen later in life."
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
There’s no cure for hay fever, although new immunotherapy drugs do promise long-term relief for severe cases. The rest of us can normally control symptoms with anti-histamines and other over-the-counter treatments. New You’s guide to hay fever treatments explains what’s available.
If you are a mild sufferer you may be able to find relief without drugs. There are plenty of ways to minimise the symptoms:
1: Air con
Air conditioning offers a haven for hay fever sufferers. Many modern office and car systems have filters that remove pollen.
2: Don’t hit the bottle
Some sufferers believe a glass or two of wine relieves the symptoms, but the survey shows that for most people it has no effect and for some it even makes things worse.
3: Study the hay fever calendar
Grasses, trees and other plants release pollen at different times of year. By studying a hay fever calendar you can work out which type of pollen you’re allergic to. This could help you plan your garden AND crucially tells you when your annual sniffles will end.
4: Cut the grass
If you are allergic to grass pollen then keep your lawn short. If you let it grow too long, it will flower and pollinate. A regularly-cut lawn is allergy-free.
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