Why hayfever is worse at bedtime

Pollen rises into the lower atmosphere throughout the day and begins to fall back to the ground as the temperature drops.

Pollen rises into the lower atmosphere throughout the day and begins to fall back to the ground as the temperature drops.

Published Jun 29, 2015

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London - While the sneezing fits of hayfever can ruin your day, sufferers might expect a little respite at bedtime.

But two-thirds of those with the allergy continue to experience symptoms while trying to sleep, research suggests.

They are losing an average of more than an hour of sleep a night as they struggle with streaming noses and itchy eyes, according to a survey.

 

Dr Peter Burt, aerobiologist at the University of Greenwich, said: “Hayfever sufferers may find that their symptoms get worse during the evening. This is because pollen rises into the lower atmosphere throughout the day and begins to fall back to the ground as the temperature drops, exposing hayfever sufferers to a higher level of pollen in the evening compared with earlier on in the day. Higher pollen levels in the evening can also be because some flowers release pollen later in the day.”

An estimated 80 percent of people with asthma are at increased risk of having an attack because they also suffer from hayfever.

Dr Samantha Walker, of Asthma UK, said: “Whilst it’s impossible to avoid grass and other pollens, if you are taking the right preventer medicines…you should be able to manage day-to-day without getting any asthma symptoms.”

But she added: “If you are wheezing, coughing, waking at night or feel tightness in your chest now then you need to speak to your GP or asthma nurse.”

 

Research by Boots suggests 64 percent of people find their symptoms affect their sleep.

In a poll of 2 080 sufferers, the average sleep loss was 72 minutes of sleep each night when pollen levels are high.

Boots pharmacist Angela Chalmers said: “Falling pollen at night doesn’t have to get in the way of a good night’s sleep if you take steps to keep your hayfever symptoms in check before your head hits the pillow.

“Most one-a-day anti-histamines are usually a 24-hour dose, so taking your daily dose at least three hours before you go to bed may help reduce symptoms throughout the night.”

The NHS advises that people keep windows shut at night and first thing in the morning, and also suggests sufferers stay indoors as much as they can when the pollen count is high.

Daily Mail

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