As summer gets into full swing thousands of Halton residents are bracing themsleves for the onslaught of hayfever. MARK SMITH looks at the condition, the treatments available and at how sufferers can help protect themselves. Thousands of people in Halton are facing a summer of misery. Allergic rhinitis, known as hayfever, affects over 23,000 people in the borough, a figure which is increasing year-on-year. Symptoms include, blocked noses, constant sneezing, watery and itchy eyes, headaches, disturbed sleep, listlessness and de pression. While mainly caused by grass pollen spores, it is also thought that pollution plays a large part in the allergy, a theory supported by the fact it was first recorded by Dr John Bostock in the years after the industrial revolution. Hayfever is twice as common in towns like Widnes and Runcorn as it is in rural Cheshire. The cause is said to be sunlight acting on traffic pollution creating 'photochemical smog'. Hayfever can occur at any time between February and September depending on the pollens responsible. The greatest reaction is caused by grass pollen, produced from April-September. The peak age for contracting hayfever is 20, although many children suffer from the condition. In the last 20 years the number of people treated for the condition has risen over 400% despite the fact that city pollen counts have dropped. Recorded cases of asthma and eczema are also rising by 5% per year. Although there is no cure for hayfever, there are methods of treatment. These include: * Antihistamines - these inhibit the effects of histamines, which are released during an allergic reaction and cause the symptoms of hayfever. * Steroids - reduce inflammation in the nose or eyes. * Sodium cromoglycate - prevents allergic reactions in the nose and eyes. * Decongestants - a short sharp dose may help to unblock the nose, but can make the problem worse if used long-term. * Desensitisation - a form of vaccine containing very tiny amounts of pollen so the body can learn to deal with it without a reaction. Avoiding certain foods, such as cheese, strawberries, pork and shellfish, can help prevent some symptoms as they contain histamines. Taking vitamin C and zinc supplements daily may also help. Ways of avoiding the effects of hayfever * Watch the pollen count, counts above 90 are considered high and are likely to trigger an allergic reaction. * Stay indoors as much as possible when it's humid and windy or when pollen counts are high. * Shut all windows during the middle of the day. * Protect your eyes from pollen with sunglasses. * Keep car windows shut as much as possible. * Don't put washing out to dry if counts are high as pollen may get trapped in the fibres of clothes. * Get someone else to cut the lawn. Hose down the lawn before you go in the garden to dampen down pollen in the air. * Before you go to bed, have a shower to get rid of any pollen caught on your body or hair. | 
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