Hay fever

Hay fever (seasonal allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction to pollen (the fine powdery microscopic grains released from plants). People who suffer from hay fever react to pollen with a range of symptoms including a runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and throat. Hay fever is often regarded as a trivial problem but it can severely affect people’s quality of life, disturbing sleep, impairing daytime concentration, it causes people to miss work or school and can even affect school exam results!

Hay fever is one of the most common allergies affecting up to one in five people in the UK. It is more likely if there is a family history of allergies, particularly asthma or eczema. Changing the diet can help some people. As cow’s milk allergy is linked to other allergic reactions it may be sensible to consider avoiding all dairy to see if it can help alleviate hay fever symptoms.

Read more about Allergies.