'Highly dangerous' TikTok hay fever hack should be avoided warns expert
With searches spiking in the last 24 hours for 'how to stop hay fever immediately', the urge for relief is higher than ever but there's one TikTok craze that experts are urging you to forget
The sun is shining, a heatwave is on the way and everyone has outdoor weekend plans in mind, but the warmer weather can also bring higher pollen counts. For those who suffer from hay fever, any quick fix is a relief but there's one doing the rounds on social media that should be avoided.
Due to very high pollen counts across widespread areas of the country, searches for 'how to stop hay fever immediately' have spiked 3,550% over the last 24 hours.
A leading hayfever expert has issued a warning against following viral TikTok trends that promote unproven and potentially harmful 'natural remedies' for hay fever symptoms, including one alarming option in particular.
Deliberately stinging yourself with stinging nettles daily came up top when a top-liked TikTok video encouraged viewers to comment their "most unhinged natural hay fever remedies." Multiple viewers recommended the 'nettle stinging method', with one TikTok user recommending 'brushing your arm against stinging nettles everyday for a month' claiming it was a 'small price to pay'.
Others commented in support of the idea, due to nettle stings containing small amounts of histamine, leading to growing concern among medical professionals.
Experts understand the frustration allergies can bring, and realise that sufferers are desperately seeking immediate relief, but warn that following TikTok trends for symptom relief can actually be dangerous. What do the experts say?
Hay fever expert and specialist in over-the-counter medicine at Weldricks Pharmacy (www.weldricks.co.uk), Allan Green, warned: 'This sort of activity is not just ineffective, but it can be highly dangerous.
'There is no scientific evidence to suggest that purposefully exposing yourself to stinging nettles can alleviate hay fever symptoms. However, doing this can lead to serious skin irritation, further allergic reactions, and in some cases, more serious complications."
Instead, Allan has better, more sensible, and far less painful ideas for sufferers. 'If you are an allergy sufferer, I'd urge you to try other natural remedies instead. Steam inhalers, staying hydrated and applying petroleum jelly or a natural balm just inside the nostrils before going outdoors can all be useful symptom-alleviating tricks.
"Additionally, keeping your home environment allergen-free by closing the windows during peak pollen hours and washing clothing and bedding more regularly. 'If natural remedies aren't enough, and you want to soothe itchy eyes, runny noses and constant sneezing with medication, there are plenty of hay fever tablets, eye drops or nasal sprays which can get to the root of your allergy and offer immediate symptom relief.'
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