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Article: Cures for the summer not to be sniffed at
- Article from:
- Western Daily Press (Bristol UK)
- Article date:
- June 4, 2008
CopyrightCopyright 2008 Western Daily Press (Bristol UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Today's complaint: Hay fever
Q: What causes it?
Hay fever is also known as "seasonal allergic rhinitis" and
affects many people in the UK each year, mostly between May and
September.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. When pollen is
inhaled, the body's immune system releases large amounts of
antibodies to attack the pollen. The antibodies then release a
chemical called histamine which leads to the symptoms associated
with hay fever such as sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes.
The most common culprit is grass pollen but, depending on the time
of the year, tree and other plant pollens can also trigger hay
fever.
Q: What can I do?
The best way to avoid hay fever is to ...