Hay fever can wreak havoc on people's lives when spring comes around, and some symptoms may concern people - but a doctor has cleared up some little-known things that can happen when you're suffering from hay fever.
According to the NHS, "hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest." They also explain that although the symptoms are similar to a cold, they can last for "months", sharing that there's "no cure" but you can do things to alleviate symptoms.
Dr Hamdan Abdullah Hamed explained that, despite the more regular symptoms including itchy eyes and a runny nose, there are more serious things that can occur - but there's a reason behind them.
Can hay fever cause nosebleeds?
Yes, hay fever can cause nosebleeds, according to Dr Hamed. He said that nosebleeds can "stem from hay fever or allergic rhinitis," adding: "This is because excessive sneezing can damage the delicate tissues in the nose. Repeatedly sneezing can cause repeated pressure on the blood vessels and extreme nose blowing can also prompt a nosebleed."
Even nasal sprays, which are meant to reduce the symptoms of hay fever, "with harmful chemicals can also cause a nosebleed," warned the doctor.
If you have a nosebleed, you should sit down and lean forward with your head tilted forward, and your mouth open, says the NHS. You can also try pinching your nose, just above your nostrils, for 10 to 15 minutes, and breathe through your mouth. If the nosebleed lasts longer than this, the bleeding seems excessive or you're feeling weak or dizzy, you should go to A&E.
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
Other symptoms of hay fever, according to the NHS, include:
- sneezing and coughing
- a runny or blocked nose
- itchy, red or watery eyes
- itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears
- loss of smell
- pain around your temples and forehead
- headache
- earache
- feeling tired
Less common symptoms, according to Dr Hamed, include: "Loss of smell or anosmia, soreness of the face due to congested sinuses, headaches, ear pain, tiredness, and fatigue."
What to do if you're struggling with hay fever symptoms
If you are struggling with symptoms, Dr Hamed recommends "avoiding exposure to allergens such as pollen", which are "prevalent during summer". He said: "Another treatment is antihistamine, which is mostly oral tablets. A person with hay fever should be proactive and have one ready to prevent an allergic reaction."
He also recommended immunotherapy, which means "exposing the body to minute amounts of allergens over some time so that the body can learn to be resilient to allergens".
If you're suffering, the NHS recommends:
putting Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen from getting into your eyes
shower and change your clothes after you have been outside to wash pollen off
stay indoors whenever possible
keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities
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