BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?

Subject: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: greg stephens
Date: 13 May 03 - 04:11 AM

Talking with people all over the country in the last week, it seems there has been a huge widepspread recent epidemic of snotty noses, sinuses, swollen eyes etc etc. The first few people I talked to suggested possible rape seed, but I now find loads of peple talking about it who live in cities a long way from rape fields. One theory is tree pollen in the last few weeks. A lot of people say they are worse than usual, or earlier than usual, in terms of hay fever. and some people are suffering who dont get hay fever normally. Any theories?? Anybody got any medical information?
There was a big drought in March...could this have had something to do with it?

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: clansfolk
Date: 13 May 03 - 04:24 AM

der 'ere 'ere aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaachooo

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: GUEST,Sarah
Date: 13 May 03 - 05:13 AM

I used to think it was Holmfirth Festival that put me on steroids at the same time every year - but since my son (who hasn't ever attended) has been in the same position over the last three years I have narrowed it down to the flowering of two large cherry trees across the road. When the blossom goes, our asthma goes back to normal. So yes to tree pollen, and cherry in particular!

Cheers
Sarah

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: vectis
Date: 13 May 03 - 06:27 AM

I'm suffering for the first time in my life. Must be not smoking. The cigarettes must keep the hay fever damped down. Not a good excuse to start again though.

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: Watson
Date: 13 May 03 - 06:58 AM

Yes, tree pollen - I've suffered from allergic conjunctivitis, mainly in April for about 20 years. Pills and potions don't seem to help much, but elderflower gel relieves the itching to the extent that I don't actually want to claw my own eyes out.
The best cure I ever found was to be in Portugal at Easter!

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 13 May 03 - 07:36 AM

Yes, most of the trees are in bloom now, even if you don't notice the little green flowers. We have a sycamore immediately outside the house, and that always causes Manitas problems.

The "drought" and warm weather in March would have made the trees think it was later in the year than it really is - I saw blackthorn in bloom in January, cherries and other fruit had all blossomed and blown before Easter.

I've never suffered from hay fever, although there was a summer where I discovered a reaction to one particular tree - so I can only sympathise from afar.

Giving up smoking will make you more sensitive, because the smoke particles would normally block your sinus'. Now these particles have gone, the pollen and other dust can get in and cause allergic reactions and irritation. It may be that you will have to live with it, but it may also be that you will become less sensitive as time goes on, it's because you've given up smoking now that they are particularly bad.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 13 May 03 - 08:07 AM

I wouldn't discount rape too quickly. The pollen is very light and seems to spread easily along roads and railway tracks. The embankments around us have a fairly sizeable rape population from fields away up the line. The mild dry spring has certainly got everything flowering early :(

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: Sooz
Date: 13 May 03 - 12:04 PM

Oil seed rape is a big problem in our house - we are surrounded by it. I wish the genetic engineers would take the nice colour and scent genes from the wallflower (a very close relation) so we could enjoy something beautiful while we suffer!

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 13 May 03 - 12:13 PM

Hawthorn (May) and blackthorn are a problem for me around now also the oil seed rape and the birch,plus all these clean people disturbing the dust with their spring cleaning!!

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: gnomad
Date: 13 May 03 - 02:55 PM

I'll swear as to (and at) the power of Oilseed Rape, I find it sets me stuffed-up and wheezing in seconds. Fruit tree pollen too in recent months, and soon I look forward to the heather on the moors (mind you the rain often keeps that one at bay).

Whinge over, I love the appearance and wouldn't be without these things for worlds, just wish my body liked them too.

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Jul 03 - 08:22 PM

There was a big drought in March...could this have had something to do with it?

There's been a big drought in July ...could this have had something to do with it?

Then it rained this evening & I got all the symptoms: dry tickly cough,running eyes & nose.

just after the thunderstorm this evening, I noticed a very strong petro-chemical smell in the air in ellesmere port where i worked tonight.

did the rain bring down the funes & kick up the dust?

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Jul 03 - 08:26 PM

left work about 830pm- got to mr happy's music therapy session about 9pm & coffed me head orf most of the evening.

but after several pints of rehydration became almost normal again.

anyone else similar experience today?

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: nutty
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 02:44 AM

As well as a sensitivity to pollen, I also have problems with the scent of particular flowers.

Wallflowers are the first of the year but around this time the lilies and pinks cause real problems.

I love my garden and all my plants (although I never have flowers in the house) so I just take an antihistamine tablet every morning.

Subject: RE: BS: UK hay fever/tree pollen now?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Jul 03 - 04:01 AM

I'm having trouble with asthma symptoms because of the humidity and the hot weather - it increases the airborne pollution and that's my trigger - so I can wheeze along with the rest of you now.

And the grass is in bloom, so that's not going to help matters much either.

LTS