ASK THE DOC: How to cope with hayfever, the scourge of summer for many

Q. I suffer from hay fever and this leads to my having catarrh virtually all the time in the summer months. Nothing I try seems to help my symptoms. Can you advise on this?

A. Catarrh is a build-up of mucus in an airway or cavity of the body. It usually affects the back of the nose, the throat or the sinuses (air-filled cavities in the bones of the face).

Catarrh is often temporary, but some people experience it for longer. This is known as chronic catarrh. There are some things you can try to help relieve your symptoms such as:

n avoiding things that trigger your symptoms, such as allergens or smoky places;

n taking sips of cold water when you feel the need to clear your throat – constantly clearing your throat may make things worse;

n using a saline nasal rinse several times a day – these can be bought from a pharmacy or made at home with half a teaspoon of salt in a pint of boiled water that’s been left to cool;

n avoiding warm, dry atmospheres, such as places with air conditioning and car heating systems – placing plants or bowls of water in a room may help to keep the air humid;

n staying hydrated;

n talking to a pharmacist about suitable over-the-counter medications – including decongestants, antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays.

There are also several remedies available from health shops and pharmacies that claim to treat catarrh. Some people find these helpful, but there’s generally little scientific evidence to suggest they work

You might find the NHS Inform self- help guide on hayfever useful- this helps to provide immediate advice on how to relieve your symptoms and lets you know any further steps you might need to take. Visit www.nhsinform.scot and search for ‘hayfever’ to learn more.

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