Pollen In The Air Brings Outbreak Of Hay Fever

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28150, 13 December 1956, Page 16

Pollen In The Air Brings Outbreak Of Hay Fever

Recent hot, dry weather with northwest winds has brought an outbreak of seasonal hay fever in Christchurch. Those who suffer from it find that it is not a serious ailment, but most uncomfortable and inconvenient.

Hay fever is, of course, not notifiable to the Health Department, so there is no real check on its prevalence, but general practitioners report that many patients are asking them for remedies. Sometimes it takes several trials to find just which remedy is most suitable for a particular individual. A medical dictionary defines hay fever as an acute nasal catarrh and conjunctivitis, sometimes with asthma. It occurs because of an allergic reaction to the presence of some substance to which the person is sensitive. It includes seasonal hay fever and perennial hay fever. The former recurs about the same time each year, usually in the spring or autumn, and is caused by the presence of specific antigen to which the patient is sensitive, such as various pollens. The latter is a form in which the patient is sensitive to an allergen to which he is exposed more or less all the year round, such as dusts and foods.

Doctors explain that this is the pollen season, and the complaint is always prevalent at this time. Although it is thought that this year it is more extensive than previously, it is more likely a matter of degree, with the amount of pollen in the air a little more than usual

Some persons report that they have contracted hay fever for the first time this year, but they may have had some other manifestation of the allergy —perhaps sinus trouble or asthma. In

some years, the effects are much milder than in others.

Most sufferers contract hay fever from pollen of grass, vegetables, and flowers, and north-westerly winds will bring a fair amount of that across the plains to Christchurch. However, many other factors can contribute. Generally people do not realise that atmospheric influences —brought about by humidity and altitude —can have much to do with it, and the reactions vary with individuals. It is found that some suffer badly from hay fever if they live on the hills, but do not when they are on the flat. For others, the effect is the opposite. And those who suffer in Canterbury might not do so in Hawkes Bay, or vice versa. Also, some unfortunate persons have hay fever all the year round, usually because they are allergic to house dust or perhaps kapoc. Such persons often have their worst attacks in the .winter, when they spend more time indoors than in the summer. At present, chemists report a ready sale of drugs of the anti-histamine group, which have been the recognised relief from hay fever for about the last 10 years. They are most effective, but sometimes it takes several trials—there are about 20 of the drugs—to find the particular member of the group which best suits the individual patient.