Hayfever is a problem for many gardeners most summers, and this year seems to be one of the worst seasons for some time. As an asthmatic and hayfever sufferer myself, I have found this summer tough going in the garden, and have often been driven indoors by streaming eyes, and an unattractively dripping nose. Which is wholly inconvenient, seen as gardening is a huge part of my life and work.
There are lots of , but what else can we gardeners do to minimise the effects of hayfever on our favourite hobby? Hayfever, also known as allergic rhinitis, occurs when your body’s defence mechanisms are triggered by airborne pollen, a usually harmless substance. The symptoms can start as early as March when trees release their pollen, and run right through to the fall. Symptoms include itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and a runny nose, an annoying cough that’s triggered somewhere at the back of your throat, a sore or ‘scratchy’ throat, headache and tiredness.
Being outside is obviously bad for sufferers, and you may also need to . But there is no need to stop gardening if you're a hayfever sufferer, and here I look at the six best ways of reducing your sensitivity to the allergy. Most plants release pollen in the morning and evening, so avoid these times if you can.
The best time of day for gardening when you are a hayfever sufferer is mid-afternoon, though in summer this can be when the heat is at its most fierce. If you are out gardening in the heat of the day, always remember to we.
