Stolen Lives report challenges commonly held beliefs on Hay fever

Press Release posted on behalf of Allergy UK

allergy uk

During National Allergy Week in May 2009 Allergy UK carried out a survey in association with STÉRIMAR ® to discover when and how hay fever starts and impacts on sufferers. The results from the survey produced in the latest of the ‘Stolen Lives’ series clearly show that many of the long held beliefs on hay fever are no longer proving to be the case.
• Myth Buster – hay fever is regarded as starting in childhood yet almost half of the 1200 respondents from 12 different   countries report that their symptoms developed as adults.
• Myth Buster – it is generally presumed that hayfever symptoms are usually well controlled yet less than half stated that their symptoms were adequately controlled.
Given that hayfever increases the risk of developing asthma this is a very worrying trend and there must be future recognition that hay fever is not the trivial condition it is currently regarded as. Hayfever is by far the most common allergic condition which can lead to long term illness yet sufferers receive the least help in the diagnosis and management of their condition.
The Stolen Lives report gives the sufferers perspective on their condition and how it impacts on them particularly on their work, education and family lives. Over 75% of people reported that they would prefer a natural alternative and 72% would be happy for themselves or their child to try a natural product to help them relieve their symptoms.* However, the importance of managing symptoms effectively usually means using a combination of natural treatments, medication, and steps to reduce exposure to triggers. For instance, if you go out shower and wash your hair on return; change your clothing before coming back into the living room or bedroom; keep windows closed when indoors and overnight whilst you are sleeping and cleaning and clearing pollen from the nose with a natural sea water nasal spray.
The hayfever sufferers desperately need to be listened to.
Download a copy of the Stolen Lives 6 report
For further information contact:-
Jules Payne
jules@allergyuk.org

Allergy UK is a national medical charity established to represent the views and needs of people with allergy, food intolerance and chemical sensitivity.
*Stolen Lives 6 – The Allergic Rhinitis Report: The Impact of allergic rhinitis on people’s lives. Survey of people with allergic rhinitis; Allergy UK. The report has been conducted in June 2009 in association with www.sterimarnasal.co.uk
Facts:-

• 20% of the population are affected by allergic rhinitis.**
• 1 in 3 of the population will suffer from allergy at some time in their life.
• The number of sufferers from rhinitis has tripled in the last 20 years.**
• Asthma, Rhinitis and Eczema have trebled in the last 20 years.**
• 95% of hay fever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen.**
• 25% of hay fever sufferers are allergic to birch pollen.**
• 10% of children and adults under the age of 45 have 2 or more allergies.**
• 13 million people below the mid forties have 2 or more allergies**
**Royal College of Physicians 2003 Report Allergy the Unmet Need