Fact of the day 3
Yes, it’s that time of year again when the sun is shining, the world is a beautiful place and people are desperate to have a picnic or barbecue before it starts raining again – but what about that percentage of the UK population that dreads hearing those words…’Let’s go out for a picnic!’? As we fast approach the Allergy and Free-From Show in London, it’s time to turn our attention to the dreaded hay fever.
According to the NHS, one in every five people in the UK suffer from hay fever. Their symptoms can include itchy eyes, nose, roof of mouth or throat along with nasal congestion, coughing and sneezing. (Source: webmd.boots.com). For some people the symptoms are so extreme they cannot face going outside. Different people have slightly different experiences of hay fever, while some experience dry eyes, others cannot make theirs stop streaming, but their frustrations are the same when faced with non-sufferers questions and advice:
1. Are you sick?
Nope, just my allergies.
2. Couldn’t it be a cold?
I wish it was.
3. Isn’t there some kind of medication you can take?
I did not think of that.
4. I don’t understand how you can be allergic to grass.
Try.
5. I heard it’s all in the mind – have you tried meditating/hypnotherapy?
Seriously?
6. Are you sure it’s allergies?
What are your theories?
Do you suffer from hay fever? What have your experiences been? Do you have any advice you’d like to share. Leave your comments below or feel free to email me at joelle.english@anthem-publishing.com