14 June 2023 , 11:54
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While many Brits are soaking up the sunshine during the current heatwave, it's a different story for people who struggle with hay fever.
As well as a "pollen bomb" hitting the UK last week, the NHS says the number people visiting their website for hay fever advice has tripled in the past five weeks as cases soar.
The Met Office is also warning sufferers to prepare for weeks of hay fever, as they move into "grass season".
Hay fever sufferers will commonly experience sore eyes an itchy throat and a snotty nose rather than an idyllic summer outside soaking up the sun's rays.
However, these aren't the only obvious signs of hay fever, as one pharmacist who shared a list of little-known symptoms knows all too well.
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High pollen counts mean many Brits are suffering during the heatwave (stock photo) (Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)Independent Prescribing Pharmacist Rumeet Patel of LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor has warned the public of some of the more unusual and lesser-known symptoms of hay fever.
He explained: "Even if you don't have hay fever yourself, approximately one in five people in the UK experience this condition so you're probably aware of the common symptoms.
"These include a runny, itchy or blocked nose, sneezing, itchy or watery red eyes, and an itchy throat. You may have just one or two of these symptoms or the whole list.
"Although less common, there are some more surprising symptoms of hay fever such as excessive sweating and loss of taste and smell. As the pollen count rises, it's important the public recognise these unusual symptoms."
Excessive sweating
An unusual symptom of hay fever is excessive sweating. It can be easily triggered by stress, pain or when your immune system is vulnerable.
Loss of smell and taste
Loss of smell can potentially be a symptom of hay fever. Also known as anosmia, inflammation in the nasal passages can impact our sense of smell.
Rumeet explains: "This is the body's way of limiting the amount of pollen that reaches the nose.
"As taste and smell are linked, if you experience anosmia, you are also likely to notice some loss of taste too."
Headaches and migraines could suggest that you're suffering from hay fever (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Headaches and migraines
A link has been found between headaches and hay fever. A sinus headache can be caused by a build-up of pressure which results in a sinus headache. This tends to feel as if there is "intense pressure inside the head or behind the eyes".
"The histamines released during a hay fever account can also give rise to migraines," the pharmacist warns.
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Face pain
Hay fever can cause pain around the cheeks, eyes and forehead. You may experience facial pain when the pressure of the small air-filled cavities behind the cheekbones and the forehead becomes inflamed or blocked.
Asthma
Rumeet warns people that if they have asthma then they may find that their hay fever symptoms worsen like wheezing and breathlessness.
He says: "In fact, some people also find they only experience asthma symptoms during hay fever season. People with hay fever are also much more likely to develop asthma."
Thankfully, there are several fixes that can cure hay fever. As advised by Rumeet, symptoms can be easily managed with allergy treatments and lifestyle changes, including limiting time spent outside.
He explained: "However, some people experience such bad hay fever symptoms that it can affect daily activities such as sleep and work.
"In this case, or if your symptoms get worse or have not improved after two to four weeks of taking treatments recommended by a pharmacist, you should see your GP."
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