Forum Topic

Hayfever in Putney.

I have had allergic rhinitis on and off for years but this year I seem to have acquired a fairly severe hayfever reaction which affects my eyes. For a week or two I thought it might have gone away but it has returned today. Someone at the gym has it and I wonder if others in this locality have had something similar? best wishes Marie

Marie Byrom ● 2702d9 Comments

Hi Marie, try taking some London honey.  Most city gardens grow the same flowers, so even if it's from East London, it should do the trick, although local is best.Clearly a lot of other people are suffering too which is why Wandsworth runny honey is sold out on thehivehoneyshop.co.uk website.  Give them a call on 0207 924 6233 to see what else they recommend.The localhoneyman.co.uk sells British Golden Honey, recommended for urban hay fever, which is also sold out currently, but they are expecting new stock next week.Avoid wildflower and Scottish Heather honey which may not alleviate symptoms.Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2701d

London plane tree pollen probably.I don't really get hayfever but this time of year I have problems with my eyes from the pollen from London plane trees, especially when cycling.It's less of a problem if I wear my cycling sunglasses that fit more snugly to my face (and prevent the stuff from getting in my eyes).

Alex Greenbank ● 2701d

Dear Chantal,Thank you very much for your advice and for taking the time to give me such useful information.my very best wishes  Marie

Marie Byrom ● 2701d

Yes, the plane tree pollen seems particularly bad this year; it's especially noticeable along King's Road.

Richard Carter ● 2701d

You are most welcome Marie.  Another useful tip is to smear some honey inside your nostril with a cotton bud.  This serves two useful purposes:1.  Honey has excellent anti-septic properties2.  Any pollen attempting to enter your nose will get stuck to the honeyI know it sounds gross, but it works, so try one nostril first during a quiet moment at home.

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2701d

Yep, I always get hayfever from grass pollen, and manage it quite well with antihistamines, but this year I have a very sore right eye that is lasting for days.I did wonder if I had scratched the cornea, but some sort of allergic reaction seems more likely

Sean Hodges ● 2701d

Actually, I should add that I don't suffer from hay fever but that the stuff (pollen?) from the plane trees catches in the throat, provoking much coughing - not ideal when you're trying to navigate a cycle-unfriendly road system.

Richard Carter ● 2700d

Dear RichardThank you for your mesaage. It might not be plane tree pollen at this time of year I have been reading about planes it seems their pollen causes trouble in the autumn - strange isn't it? Marie

Marie Byrom ● 2698d

Thanks, Marie: that spurred me into having a closer look myself, and it's clear that it is indeed not pollen. This tweet, from James Wong, posting as @Botanygeek, says:"Ever get the ‘Chelsea cough’ from what everyone calls the ‘pollen’ from plane trees? People even take hay fever pills. Well, this irritant dust is largely the bristle fibres on the seeds (like a dandelion clock), not pollen. A physical irritation, not an allergic reaction."That is helpful, a mystery solved.

Richard Carter ● 2698d