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The Irish Sun
07-06-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
The 7 best ways to combat hay fever as peak season hits – from ‘diaphragm dumbbells' to supplements
THE sun is shining, the sky is blue – yet for millions of us, this time of year can be pure hell. Instead of making the most of the warmer weather, we're inside, battling itchy eyes and runny noses and we just . . . can't . . . stop . . . sneezing. Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, affects one in four of us. Advertisement It's a reaction to pollen, which triggers inflammation and increased mucus production – hence the watery eyes, coughing, nasal issues and scratchy throat, mouth and ears. It can also aggravate lung conditions such as asthma, which affects 7.2million people in the UK, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which affects 1.2million. Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead for charity Asthma + Lung UK, tells Sun Health: 'If you are allergic to pollen and come into contact with it in the air, the muscles around the airways tighten and the airways' linings become swollen and inflamed with a build-up of mucus, making it difficult to breathe.' So, what can you do if you want to enjoy the summer without feeling like your face or lungs are under attack? Advertisement Here are some simple tactics to consider . . . PROTECT EYES 5 Try the wraparound sunglasses from Credit: supplied SENSITIVE, irritated eyes need extra protection during hay fever season, says dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh. She suggests: Ditch mascara: The sticky consistency makes it a trap for pollen. Advertisement Wear sunglasses : The larger they are, and the more they wrap around the eyes, the better. Wipe the lenses and frames regularly with a clean cloth to remove any build-up of pollen. Most read in Health Try the wraparound sunglasses from Use a calming gel or mask on the skin around the eyes : Try Hydrosil Dry Eye Gel (£10.95, Or Optase Cooling Eye Mask (£10.99, is perfect for ten minutes of quick relief. Advertisement Using eye drops to soothe red and itchy eyes : Try A. Vogel Pollinosan Hay Fever Eye Drops (£13.99, MUSCLE TRAINING HAY fever can inflame your airways and make it harder to breathe. One option, backed by physios and medics, is inspiratory muscle training (IMT) using a resistance-based device such as the POWERbreathe Plus (£59.99, It's been described as 'dumbbells for your diaphragm', as it improves the strength of your respiratory muscles. Advertisement Studies show that when asthma patients breathe into the device for five minutes a day for at least three weeks, their symptoms improve by 75 per cent and their medication use drops by 79 per cent. Dr Simon Taggart, consultant chest and general physician at Spire Manchester Hospital, says: 'In addition to your usual use of antihistamines and your preventer device, the POWERbreathe helps to strengthen your breathing during pollen season.' Speak to your GP, as some devices are available on the NHS with a prescription. hayfever recommendations from a boots pharmacist THE AIR THAT YOU BREATHE 5 Air purifiers can create a cleaner and fresher home environment Credit: supplied Advertisement TRY to keep your windows closed on days with high levels of pollen and pollution, ventilate your home when cooking or cleaning, and consider getting an air purifier if you live in a badly affected area, says Dr Gareth Patterson, an NHS GP. Try 4 Speed White Air Purifier (£32, which creates a cleaner and fresher home environment. Or, Coway Airmega Mighty (£164.99, is a portable, quiet air purifier that removes pollen, dust and other allergens. And MedicAir Pro Mini (£599, Advertisement EASE YOUR WHEEZING 5 The Shaker Medic Plus is said to help clear sticky mucus from your chest Credit: supplied WHEEZING when pollen hits? This clever gadget could help. The Shaker Medic Plus (£44.99, It uses gentle vibrations as you breathe out, shaking loose gunk from your lungs so you can cough it up more easily. Advertisement The result? Easier breathing, fewer flare-ups, and less risk of infection. It's pocket-sized, easy to use and a smart extra tool when the pollen count soars. BE PREPARED MANY of us check the weather forecast before heading out — so try doing the same for pollen levels. Dr Gareth Patterson says: 'If you suffer from hay fever or seasonal asthma, this is triggered by exposure to tree and plant pollen, so always check the daily pollen count and avoid spending time walking, exercising outdoors or gardening when levels are high.' Advertisement The Met Office issues nationwide pollen forecasts for the coming five days. WHAT SUPP? 5 Some people swear by anti-hay fever supplements Credit: supplied EVER tried any anti-hay fever supplements? The evidence on how effective these are is mixed, but some people swear by them. Advertisement Try probiotics. Research suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria can cause inflammation, which may trigger allergies and hay-fever. A report published in Frontiers In Nutrition found that probiotics may help by modulating the immune system. Try Wellbio Live Cultures (£16.95, which contains ten billion gut-friendly cultures. Vitamin C has antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Advertisement In a study in the International Journal Of Otorhinolaryngology And Head And Neck Surgery, 1g daily alleviated hay fever symptoms. Try Vitamin C 1,000mg, right, (£3.50, from Quercetin is a plant flavonoid found in foods. 'It has anti-allergic and antihistamine properties,' says registered sports nutritionist Rob Hobson. 'Research shows that quercetin may help to reduce allergies'. Try eating apples, berries, cherries, grapes, onions, capers, green tea and leafy green veg. Advertisement PUT IT TO BED 5 The AllerGuard Home Starter Pack creates a barrier against allergens Credit: supplied FROM pollen to dust mites, allergens will also lurk in your bedroom. The average mattress, for example, can harbour up to ten million dust mites, which can wreak havoc on hay-fever sufferers. Vacuum your home daily, and consider buying anti-allergy bedding. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Try Silentnight Anti-Allergy Duvet, Pillow and Mattress Protector (£11.99, Or the AllerGuard Home Starter Pack (from £229.50 at includes pillow, duvet and mattress protectors made from light, breathable fabric that has been woven tightly enough to create a barrier against allergens.
Scottish Sun
07-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The 7 best ways to combat hay fever as peak season hits – from ‘diaphragm dumbbells' to supplements
Scroll down to find out which clever gadget could help your breathing BREATHE EASY The 7 best ways to combat hay fever as peak season hits – from 'diaphragm dumbbells' to supplements Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE sun is shining, the sky is blue – yet for millions of us, this time of year can be pure hell. Instead of making the most of the warmer weather, we're inside, battling itchy eyes and runny noses and we just . . . can't . . . stop . . . sneezing. Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, affects one in four of us. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up It's a reaction to pollen, which triggers inflammation and increased mucus production – hence the watery eyes, coughing, nasal issues and scratchy throat, mouth and ears. It can also aggravate lung conditions such as asthma, which affects 7.2million people in the UK, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which affects 1.2million. Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead for charity Asthma + Lung UK, tells Sun Health: 'If you are allergic to pollen and come into contact with it in the air, the muscles around the airways tighten and the airways' linings become swollen and inflamed with a build-up of mucus, making it difficult to breathe.' So, what can you do if you want to enjoy the summer without feeling like your face or lungs are under attack? Here are some simple tactics to consider . . . PROTECT EYES 5 Try the wraparound sunglasses from Credit: supplied SENSITIVE, irritated eyes need extra protection during hay fever season, says dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh. She suggests: Ditch mascara: The sticky consistency makes it a trap for pollen. Wear sunglasses: The larger they are, and the more they wrap around the eyes, the better. Wipe the lenses and frames regularly with a clean cloth to remove any build-up of pollen. Try the wraparound sunglasses from price £22.95. Use a calming gel or mask on the skin around the eyes: Try Hydrosil Dry Eye Gel (£10.95, which contains soothing plant sterols to calm irritation and can be worn overnight and under make-up. Or Optase Cooling Eye Mask (£10.99, is perfect for ten minutes of quick relief. Using eye drops to soothe red and itchy eyes: Try A. Vogel Pollinosan Hay Fever Eye Drops (£13.99, They contain chamomile, hyaluronic acid and sterile water. MUSCLE TRAINING HAY fever can inflame your airways and make it harder to breathe. One option, backed by physios and medics, is inspiratory muscle training (IMT) using a resistance-based device such as the POWERbreathe Plus (£59.99, It's been described as 'dumbbells for your diaphragm', as it improves the strength of your respiratory muscles. Studies show that when asthma patients breathe into the device for five minutes a day for at least three weeks, their symptoms improve by 75 per cent and their medication use drops by 79 per cent. Dr Simon Taggart, consultant chest and general physician at Spire Manchester Hospital, says: 'In addition to your usual use of antihistamines and your preventer device, the POWERbreathe helps to strengthen your breathing during pollen season.' Speak to your GP, as some devices are available on the NHS with a prescription. hayfever recommendations from a boots pharmacist THE AIR THAT YOU BREATHE 5 Air purifiers can create a cleaner and fresher home environment Credit: supplied TRY to keep your windows closed on days with high levels of pollen and pollution, ventilate your home when cooking or cleaning, and consider getting an air purifier if you live in a badly affected area, says Dr Gareth Patterson, an NHS GP. Try 4 Speed White Air Purifier (£32, which creates a cleaner and fresher home environment. Or, Coway Airmega Mighty (£164.99, is a portable, quiet air purifier that removes pollen, dust and other allergens. And MedicAir Pro Mini (£599, is a medical-grade purifier that employs the highest-rated HEPA filter to keep the air free of pollutants, including pollen, pet fur, smoke and mould. EASE YOUR WHEEZING 5 The Shaker Medic Plus is said to help clear sticky mucus from your chest Credit: supplied WHEEZING when pollen hits? This clever gadget could help. The Shaker Medic Plus (£44.99, is a drug-free device said to help clear sticky mucus from your chest — ideal when either hay fever or asthma flares up. It uses gentle vibrations as you breathe out, shaking loose gunk from your lungs so you can cough it up more easily. The result? Easier breathing, fewer flare-ups, and less risk of infection. It's pocket-sized, easy to use and a smart extra tool when the pollen count soars. BE PREPARED MANY of us check the weather forecast before heading out — so try doing the same for pollen levels. Dr Gareth Patterson says: 'If you suffer from hay fever or seasonal asthma, this is triggered by exposure to tree and plant pollen, so always check the daily pollen count and avoid spending time walking, exercising outdoors or gardening when levels are high.' The Met Office issues nationwide pollen forecasts for the coming five days. WHAT SUPP? 5 Some people swear by anti-hay fever supplements Credit: supplied EVER tried any anti-hay fever supplements? The evidence on how effective these are is mixed, but some people swear by them. Try probiotics. Research suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria can cause inflammation, which may trigger allergies and hay-fever. A report published in Frontiers In Nutrition found that probiotics may help by modulating the immune system. Try Wellbio Live Cultures (£16.95, which contains ten billion gut-friendly cultures. Vitamin C has antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In a study in the International Journal Of Otorhinolaryngology And Head And Neck Surgery, 1g daily alleviated hay fever symptoms. Try Vitamin C 1,000mg, right, (£3.50, from Quercetin is a plant flavonoid found in foods. 'It has anti-allergic and antihistamine properties,' says registered sports nutritionist Rob Hobson. 'Research shows that quercetin may help to reduce allergies'. Try eating apples, berries, cherries, grapes, onions, capers, green tea and leafy green veg. PUT IT TO BED 5 The AllerGuard Home Starter Pack creates a barrier against allergens Credit: supplied FROM pollen to dust mites, allergens will also lurk in your bedroom. The average mattress, for example, can harbour up to ten million dust mites, which can wreak havoc on hay-fever sufferers. Vacuum your home daily, and consider buying anti-allergy bedding. Try Silentnight Anti-Allergy Duvet, Pillow and Mattress Protector (£11.99, which is approved by the British Allergy Foundation and filled with specially treated hollowfibre that protects you from pollen, bacteria and dust mites. Or the AllerGuard Home Starter Pack (from £229.50 at includes pillow, duvet and mattress protectors made from light, breathable fabric that has been woven tightly enough to create a barrier against allergens.
Metro
30-04-2025
- Health
- Metro
1 in 10 people in the UK suffer with rosacea - but this skincare range helps
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Bianca from County Durham had pretty much flawless skin throughout her teen years and early twenties. But her first pregnancy at 22 triggered her developing rosacea — a long-term inflammatory skin condition. What started out as the occasional flare-up of redness and sensitivity progressed into more substantial rashes, peppered with small spots. And unfortunately, this didn't clear up after she'd given birth. GPs suggested various over-the-counter creams, but none of them made any difference — with some even making the symptoms worse. 'Over the next nine years, I went from having regular flare ups, to becoming permanently red, bumpy, and blotchy across my cheeks and nose,' Bianca shares. 'It got to the stage whereby I couldn't even think of leaving the house without a thick base layer of foundation to cover up the redness — and I'd often need to reapply it during the day.' Desperate for relief, Bianca says she began spending pretty much every spare minute searching online for product suggestions. Luckily, she stumbled across a woman on Instagram with a very similar story to her own — and she swore by Kalme products. Inspired by this woman's results, Bianca decided to try out a few of the products for herself, and she was instantly impressed. 'Unlike anything else I had tried for my rosacea so far, my skin felt instantly calmer and more comfortable when I applied the Kalme Day Defence Cream,' Bianca explains. 'One time I ran out of it — and didn't re-buy it for a few weeks — and almost immediately my skin started to flare red more regularly, and feel itchy and sensitive. Now, I always make sure I have a supply.' The Kalme Day Defence Cream is included in this brilliant bundle — alongside the Kalme Night Cream, and Kalme Cleanser. And best of all, Metro readers you can bank an extra £10 off when they apply the code METRO10 at check-out. More Trending Made with a combination of unique skincare innovations to reduce redness, the hero ingredient of the range has to be a patented caper extract called Derma Sensitive, which has been clinically proven in trials to reduce redness and skincare sensitivity by up to 70%. Meanwhile, Indinyl has a 24-hour moisturising action to combat dryness, and the antioxidant NDGA reduces the underlying inflammation that causes bumpiness and spots. Plus, the moisturiser also provides protection against UV damage. Unhelpfully, the beginnings of rosacea can look quite a lot like adult acne, dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh explains. 'Catching and treating rosacea in its earlier stages is the most effective way of not letting it intensify and spread — but unfortunately, it's still one of the most misdiagnosed skin conditions.' As far as Bianca's concerned, spreading awareness is key. With rosacea now a far smaller part of her day-to-day life, she hopes that sharing her experience will help other sufferers feel less alone and helpless. 'I'll always have rosacea, but it doesn't rule my life like it used to,' she adds. 'I now know exactly how to keep the condition under control.' Consider us sold. Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below MORE: Get celebrity-approved skincare for less at this beauty destination – with 87% off cream used by Kate Middleton MORE: Bulldog Skincare launches new Anytime Daily UV Moisturiser SPF 50 – and it's perfectly timed for summer MORE: From chaos to clarity – how Noli's AI technology is changing the world of beauty shopping and waste
