Watery eyes, a runny or stuffy nose, wheezing, fever and tiredness. Hay fever sufferers can brace themselves, the highest grass pollen peak of the year is predicted for Wednesday. Internist Hanneke Oude Elberink of the UMC Groningen knows what this can mean for people. “Don’t underestimate the impact if your nose is closed. That really affects your daily life.”
The highest grass pollen peak of the year is announced for Wednesday. What does that mean?
“The peak is weather-dependent and it can also differ per region. When it suddenly gets warmer after a cold spring, nature suddenly bursts open and you get high peaks. The combination of warm and humid weather and a certain wind speed influences the amount of pollen. If you live in the city and you’re on the bus that takes you home to the front door, then you’re less bothered.
How does that burden manifest itself?
,,Varying. To what extent is someone sensitive, are the medicines used? The complaints vary from an extremely runny nose, watery eyes, itchy eyes and nose, lung problems, wheezing lungs and wheezing to a general ill feeling, fever and fatigue. Some feel so lethargic that they are unable to concentrate. Most people suffer so much from it that they are less productive and sleep worse and thus fall into a downward spiral. Don’t underestimate the impact when your nose is closed. You can put it into perspective, but it really affects your daily life.”
What can you do about it?
“You have to be prepared. If you have mild complaints, a tablet from the drugstore can help. But people who really suffer from pollen allergy should start taking medication in time. People with a tree pollen allergy should start taking medication in mid-December and people with a grass pollen allergy in mid-April. A tablet is therefore not enough, puffs for the nose and sometimes also for the lungs are necessary.”
How many people suffer from this or will be affected by it?
“There are no good numbers. An estimated twenty to thirty percent of the population in Europe suffers from hay fever. The problem is that not all patients are adequately helped. Not everyone visits the doctor. People get medication from the drugstore and do not get a good explanation and pay too much for medicines. There are tablets and sprays for the nose and lungs that you cannot buy yourself. You need a prescription from your doctor for that.”