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  |  General Health  |  Diseases and conditions  |  Ten of the best hay fever remedies
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Ten of the best hay fever remedies

by Dr Sarah Brewer
continued from page 2
8. Homeopathy, for example, Weleda Mixed Pollen (£4.75/125 tablets). Call 0115 9448222 for stockists
 Homeopathy is a safe and gentle way of keeping hay fever symptoms at bay. It works on the twin homeopathic principles that `like cures like' and `less cures more'. This formulation contains the imprint of over 20 pollens, including well known irritants like grasses, to help desensitise the potential for hay fever, although the mixture is so dilute no pollen is actually present any more. Researchers have found that people using a homeopathic preparation of mixed grass pollens to treat acute hay fever showed greater improvement in symptoms than those on placebo, and used significantly less antihistamine drugs as a result.

9. Nasal Air Guard (£8.49/pack of 10). Call 01453 752216 for mail order
This is another barrier device to reduce the ability of airborne allergens such as pollen to irritate the nasal lining. These plugs fit in the nose and, although they take some getting used to, provide additional protection when going outdoors when pollen counts are high. It's available in four different sizes, plus a sample pack of the four for £1.99 to help you find the correct size.

10. Antihistamine eye drops, for example, Otrivine Antistin Eye Drops. (£4.39) From pharmacies nationwide
 Antihistamine eye drops quickly reduce allergic eye symptoms of hay fever, such as itching, watering and irritation. This brand of eye drop also contains decongestant to relieve swelling and redness as well. Not suitable if you have glaucoma or for children under five years.

Other hay fever busters:
  • Pycnogenol, an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine, is as effective in preventing release of histamine as a commonly used hay fever drug, sodium cromoglicate. In fact, laboratory studies have shown pycnogenol can block as much as 70 per cent of histamine released from mast cells when they are exposed to airborne allergens such as pollen.

  • Green tea contains powerful antioxidants, known as catechins, which have a natural antihistamine effect as well as helping to maintain a healthy immune system. Drinking two or three cups of green tea daily, especially during the hay fever season, may be beneficial. Green tea extracts are also available as supplements.

  • Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine to dampen inflammation. A study in Italy found that high dose vitamin C helped to relieve acute hay fever symptoms with a significant reduction in sensitivity to allergens, mucus production and wheezing.

  • If you have sore, red eyes, lie down for 20 minutes with a cool compress over your eyes made from cotton pads soaked in rosewater, eyebright or cold camomile tea.
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