With temperatures set to soar this weekend, it is predicted that the grass pollen count will be very high. If you are prone to hay fever, you can expect to suffer increasingly from itchy and sore eyes, blocked or runny nose and bouts of sneezing.
There are lots of hay fever treatments available; many of the commonest involve taking antihistamine medication or steroid nasal sprays.
There are, however, two drug-free treatments that are very effective. They have been singled out by The Times as the best ways to protect your eyes and nose from hay fever.
They are based on a simple, common-sense idea: why not block the pollen, dust, and other allergies before they enter the nose and eyes?
The top hay fever treatments recommended in The Times Health Supplement
In March 2019, The Times Health Supplement recommended the following treatments as the two best ways of preparing for the hay fever season:
- Wear 7eye AirShield or Ziena Eyewear hay fever glasses to block the pollen from your eyes
- Apply HayMax barrier balm around the rims of your nose to block the pollen entering your nostrils
Wearing hay fever sunglasses or glasses
Hay fever glasses have a discreet gasket (also referred to as an eye cup) clipped to the inside of the rims.
This rests comfortably around your eye sockets, blocking the gap through which pollen can enter your eyes. As a result, hay fever glasses are far more effective at filtering out the pollen than normal wraparound sunglasses.
When looking for hay fever glasses, it is worth buying the best brands, which are 7eye AirShield and Ziena Eyewear.
Though they are a bit more expensive, these brands have superior and more comfortable gaskets than cheaper brands and are therefore more effective at filtering out pollen.
Quality hay fever glasses also have a much greater longevity than cheap ones that you might find on Ebay or Amazon.
It is well worth the initial investment in hay fever glasses, because they have numerous other benefits in addition to blocking pollen:
Other benefits of hay fever glasses
- Keeping your eyes moisturised by reducing the evaporation of tears - this is particularly beneficial on hot or windy days and when you are in an air conditioned environment (that's why they are also called moisture chamber glasses)
- Protecting your eyes effectively from glare - not only does the gasket keep out pollen but it also cuts out peripheral glare, which is not blocked fully by standard wraparound sunglasses
- Protecting your eyes from dust and pet allergens
- Protecting your eyes from the wind
Since 2009, Eyewear Accessories Ltd have been the leading UK and European specialists in supplying hay fever and moisture chamber sunglasses and glasses.
We stock a wide range of products suitable for wearing in different environments - indoor and outdoor. The Eyewear Accessories range includes small glasses for children (over 11 years old) as well as larger products for adults.
Most of our glasses and sunglasses can be fitted inexpensively with prescription lenses if required.
Find out more about hay fever / moisture chamber glasses
You can find out more about and order hay fever / moisture chamber glasses direct from the Eyewear Accessories website:
Click this link to read more about hay fever glasses.
Using HayMax barrier balm
The other treatment recommended in The Times was HayMax - a natural, organic allergen barrier balm (sometimes referred to as a nasal balm) that is applied to the rim of the nostrils.
HayMax traps pollen, dust and per allergens before they enter the nostrils. This reduces symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose and frequent sneezing.
It is easy to apply and is made of natural ingredients. You can either buy the Pure version, or one blended with Lavender or Aloe Vera.
HayMax can be purchased online or from numerous high street outlets such as Boots and Holland & Barrett.
Simple treatments, yet proven to be effective over the last 10 years
7eye and Ziena moisture chamber glasses and HayMax barrier balm have been available in the UK and Europe for 10 years and have a good track record of success.
It just shows that often the simplest of ideas is the most effective.