Measuring airborne allergens ‘could be better for managing hay fever’
Researchers suggested their study could be a ‘superior way of measuring pollen allergens’ compared with pollen counts.
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Your support makes all the difference.Measuring airborne allergens from grass could help people with hay fever manage their symptoms more effectively than pollen counts, a study has suggested.
Researchers said the change could allow people with serious allergies to be more prepared.
They suggested each pollen grain can release different amounts of allergens each day.
The study, led by King’s College London and Imperial College London, measured grass pollen, or Phl p 5, which is the most common hay fever trigger.
It used a panel of 93 patients with moderate to severe hayfever enrolled in the PollenLITE trial at Guy’s Hospital in London, who completed diary cards detailing daily symptoms and medication use.
Researchers also took air samples at the same location over the same time period to measure the Phl p 5 protein.
High pollen season can be serious for people who suffer with hay fever, and can trigger severe asthma attacks in those who are allergic to grass pollen. This study shows there is a superior way of measuring pollen allergens in the air than the traditional pollen count
First author Dr Elaine Fuertes, of Imperial College London, said Phl p 5 levels were found to be “more consistently associated with allergic respiratory symptoms than grass pollen counts”.
Senior author Professor Stephen Till, of King’s College London, added: “High pollen season can be serious for people who suffer with hay fever, and can trigger severe asthma attacks in those who are allergic to grass pollen.
“This study shows there is a superior way of measuring pollen allergens in the air than the traditional pollen count.
“Monitoring grass allergen instead of grass pollen counts gives results that are more consistently linked to patients’ symptoms and could allow people with serious allergies to be better prepared during the pollen season.”
Hay fever affects an estimated one in four people in the UK from spring to autumn each year.
According to the Met Office, there are about 30 different types of pollen that can cause hay fever symptoms, which include a runny nose, itchy eyes and an itchy throat, mouth, nose and ears.
Rain, wind and temperature all play a significant role in the dispersion of pollen and pollen forecasts are published daily in the spring and summer months.
Margaret Kelman, a specialist allergy nurse at Allergy UK, said the charity “is taking a keen interest in this research”.
She added that it “could signify an important step in identifying specific allergen triggers and, therefore, help individuals better manage their seasonally affected asthma and hay fever symptoms”.
There is no cure for hay fever, but symptoms can be relieved with antihistamines or steroids.
NHS England also advises sufferers to take measures such as staying indoors where possible, keeping windows and doors shut in the summer months, showering and changing clothes after going outside to wash pollen off, and vacuuming regularly.