HAYFEVER
Why the great increase in hayfever? an increasing number of people are reported to be developing hay fever, with some studies indicating that prevalence rates of the condition may have almost doubled in the last fifteen years alone. one of the possible reasons for the increase is the ‘hygiene hypothesis’.
this was a term coined in 1989 by david Strachan, an american immunologist, who wrote an article in which he suggested reasons for the rise of allergy in the western world.
In his article, which was actually called ‘hay fever, hygiene and household size’, but which was colloquially renamed ‘the hygiene hypothesis’, Strachan suggested that as humans reduced their exposure to various germs, the human body has become less able to cope with exposure to allergens.
The main thing that you can do is help your patients to put their negative feelings into context. By explaining that allergies like hayfever can have psychological and emotional symptoms as well as physical ones may help patients to feel reassured
> suicide than people, who didn’t suffer from allergies. the study by
researchers from aarhus University compared allergy rates in suicide victims with those in otherwise healthy people.
Causes of depression in hayfever So, what exactly is going on that the brain can be so badly affected by allergies such as hayfever?
Some experts explain the allergy- depression connection in psychological terms, focusing primarily on the heavy emotional toll of chronic allergy symptoms.
others link it to the fact that hayfever is known to cause specialised cells in the nose to release cytokines, a kind of inflammatory protein. Various studies - animal and human - suggest that cytokines can affect brain function, triggering sadness, poor concentration and increased sleepiness.
48 - PharMacY In focUS
Scientists have also pointed to the fact that an allergic reaction to pollen can cause inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body, and that this inflammation can have a long- lasting, harmful effect on the brain.
this inflammatory response – which causes typical allergy symptoms, such as sneezing – is the body’s natural way of trying to get rid of an allergy trigger (in the case of hayfever, this is usually pollen). recent studies have indicated that sustained exposure to low-level inflammation – particularly over a period of several months or longer, such as during the hayfever season – may well lead to serious psychiatric effects later in life. the studies have also indicated, however, that a treatment as simple as something like ibuprofen could help.
Treatment for depression So, how can you help patients who may be affected by low mental mood or depression caused by an allergy, such as hayfever?
the main thing that you can do is help your patients to put their negative feelings into context. By explaining that allergies like hayfever can have psychological and emotional symptoms as well as physical ones may help patients to feel reassured.
as with any patients, who admit to feeling ‘low’ or depressed, they should be signposted to their gP for potential medication, but patients can often be satisfied with an understanding that their ‘depression’ is the body’s natural reaction to prolonged periods of inflammation in the body.
as always, however, advice should also be given to patients to limit exposure to the allergens that cause hayfever, so it’s wise to advise them to:
• Stay indoors when pollen counts are high. hayfever sufferers should keep windows closed and, if they have to go outside, then they should shower
homes, he argued, have become cleaner, leading to a steady decrease in the incidence of cross infection within families: infection, which would previously have been beneficial in helping to develop strong immune systems.
to support his argument, Strachan, a professor of epidemiology, revealed that children in children in larger households had fewer instances of hayfever because they were exposed to germs by older siblings. his finding was to prove significant since it led to further research that suggested a lack of early childhood exposure to infection could increase a person’s chances of developing hayfever.
and wash your hair before going to bed at night
• keep the humidity in their homes below 50 per cent to stop mould growth
• replace curtains, which collect allergens, with blinds, and stick with easy-to-clean floor coverings like wood or tiles rather than rugs or carpeting
• Wash bedding frequently in water that’s at least 130° f to kill dust mites. Mattresses and pillows should be covered by allergen- impermeable covers.
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