Sneezy Brits still believe hay fever rumours including eating honey as a 'cure'
The biggest hay fever myths believed by Brits include that people can grow out of it, symptoms stop when the rain falls, and eating honey can cure it.
A poll of 2,000 UK adults found 15 per cent believe it only occurs in the summer months, and 13 per cent assume antihistamines stop working after a certain amount of time.
While many believe rubbing Vaseline around your nose will cure hay fever, that it is hereditary, and that hay could be the root cause of it.
But 51 per cent of those who have hay fever still encounter symptoms outside of the summer months – busting a popular myth.
And more than half (51 per cent) of those with the seasonal allergy are left annoyed by these commonly held misconceptions.
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Stephan Lang, from Daikin UK, which manufactures air purifiers designed to remove harmful particles from the air in homes, said: “There are plenty of misconceptions about hay fever, including what causes it and how to treat it effectively.
Hay fever plagues countless Brits every year (SWNS.com)"So, it’s no surprise that many sufferers are frustrated by this knowledge gap considering it’s an allergy which impacts over a quarter of adults in the UK.
“Having clean, fresh air in the home is one certain way to alleviate symptoms, especially as the warmer weather brings with it the temptation to open windows.”
Despite it being such a common allergy, 22 per cent of Brits admitted they are confused by how to treat hay fever.
And of those who suffer from it, 69 per cent think there are lots of misconceptions about it from non-sufferers.
Almost seven in 10 (69 per cent) of sufferers believe those lucky enough to not have the allergy dismiss it as a valid reason to cancel plans, despite 35 per cent having been forced to do just that because of a flare up.
And 18 per cent have even been accused of ‘making it up’ when it comes to their symptoms.
It's one of the most common allergies in Britain (Jake McPherson / SWNS)The research also looked at the measures taken to minimise symptoms of hay fever – revealing that keeping doors and windows shut when the pollen count is high are the most common ways to cope.
A third even resort to staying indoors whenever possible to mitigate the effects, and 27 per cent have to avoid gardening.
But for those sufferers who brave the outdoors, 23 per cent have to shower and change their clothes after they get home to wash the pollen off, the study conducted via One Poll found.
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While six in 10 ‘dread’ the times of year they experience frequent flare ups due to the severity of symptoms experienced, 88 per cent admit they have just had to learn to live with it.
Stephan Lang, from Daikin UK, which offers compact air purifiers with a pollen mode and air conditioning units with built in air purification technology, added: “There are lots of things people do to try and alleviate their hay fever symptoms.
"And a third of the people we surveyed are even being forced to stay indoors whenever possible to hide from these.
“That’s why having a clean, healthy home to return to is vital."
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