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Two of the factors that contribute to hay fever are pollution and weather. |
Hay fever
A common modern allergy is allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever.
It was first described at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution by Dr John Bostock, who described it in himself. It took him several years to identify a dozen or more hay fever sufferers. This shows that it was quite uncommon before the Industrial Revolution.
The incidence of hay fever has steadily increased since and it now affects almost 20% of the population in the UK. The peak age for contracting hay fever is 20 years, although many children suffer, and it may develop at any age.
Two of the factors that contribute to hay fever are pollution and weather.
Hay fever is twice as common in towns as in the country. This is largely as a result of road traffic pollution and the effect of sunlight on traffic pollution, which is referred to as "photochemical smog".
| Publications & Records |
The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology printed a summary report in July 2007 which stated in its recommendations, "... immunotherapy can prevent a symptomatic allergic response for many years, and may prevent the development of additional allergic conditions..."
To view the full Select Committee Sixth Report, visit the Parliaments Publications and Records website. |
House of Lords
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In 20 years the number of people treated for hay fever has risen over 400% although city pollen counts have dropped. Asthma and eczema are also rising in incidence by about 5% per year.
Many people suffer in sunny, bright weather; however, a proportion of people suffer more at the onset of wet, rainy weather. Some people are affected more as a result of the dramatic increase of mould spores which occur during rain and thunder storms.
Hay fever can occur at any time between February and September depending on the pollen(s) responsible. The commonest problem is with grasses and these pollens are produced from April to the end of September.
How Breakspear Medical Group can help
Hay fever suffers may benefit from a consultation with a Breakspear doctor. After this, the doctor will make recommendations concerning treatment, where appropriate, and an estimate will be provided before any further costs are incurred.
Breakspear specialises in the treatment of allergy, intolerance and
sensitivity by using the proven system of allergy management called low-dose
immunotherapy (also known as provocation/neutralisation), together with a
nutritional supplement programme. (For more information on how this type of
allergy treatment works, see How do antigen
vaccines work?) We use a holistic approach to
treatment and avoid drug therapy programmes where possible.
Patients undergoing hay fever treatment will also receive:
- A booklet with information and tips on how to change your environment and diet to improve your condition and a listing of the allergens for which you will be tested including such items as histamine, various moulds and pollens
- A nutritional supplement programme to strengthen your immune system. Good nutrition is important because some foods can exacerbate symptoms; some people are helped by avoiding wheat and histamine-containing and histamine-releasing foods, such as cheese, strawberries, pork and shellfish. (The cost of the supplements varies patient to patient and therefore is not included in the treatment programme cost.)
Breakspear's allergy treatment programme varies greatly from
traditional treatments for hay fever which have involved the use of
antihistamines, steroids and decongestants. Antihistamines often cause
drowsiness and many rarely do more than modify the symptoms. Steroids come in
many different forms and have many undesirable side effects and reduce immunity
to infection. Decongestants are drugs which cause the lining of the nose to
shrink, thus reducing the congestion which occurs as a result of histamine
release in hay fever. Unfortunately decongestants often need to be taken with
increasing frequency, in increasing dosage, and symptoms may become even worse
as the drug’s effects wear off.
More information on other allergy/sensitivity topics
For more information on what allergies are, click on Allergy/sensitivity explained.
Read more about the on-going damage that allergy/sensitivity can cause.
Learn about allergy and environmental illness by understanding The Load Phenomenon.
Find out about the different ways how allergy and sensitivity can be tested.
For more information on low-dose immunotherapy, see our reference collection.
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