New 'thunder fever' warning issued to parents
Aneira Davies
ContributorAnd it could affect kids from TODAY ...
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If your child suffers from hay fever or asthma, you’re already on the case when it comes to managing their symptoms.
But now parents are being warned about a new ‘thunder fever’ which could make their symptoms even worse – and it's set to affect kids from TODAY.
Strong winds and thunderstorms are on their way. According to experts, the storms due to hit the UK are likely to churn up pollen in the air that would normally float away without affecting anyone.
This could then turn into ‘super pollen’ which can cause more severe reactions for hay fever AND asthma sufferers.
The Met Office says pollen counts will be at 'high' or 'very high' levels across the UK by Friday.
Allergy expert Max Wiseberg told the Daily Star:
'With this fine weather thunderstorms are also predicted, and they can bring problems for hay fever sufferers.
'Very high pollen counts are predicted across many parts of England from Thursday onwards causing havoc for the millions of hay fever sufferers in the UK.
'Predicted thunderstorms won't give respite, as instead they can cause a phenomenon known as "thunder fever".'
So just how can these storms cause such severe hay fever symptoms?
Max explains that the humidity breaks pollen grains into smaller particles.
He adds:
'These new pollen grains turn into a kind of 'super pollen', and this appears to be more allergenic than normal pollen, causing more severe reactions in sufferers.
'Storms bring pollen grains down which might have otherwise risen above head height out of harm's way and whipping up pollen grains and fungal spores near the ground.'
Parents of kids with asthma are being advised to take extra care and make sure their child keeps taking their preventer inhalers if they use them, and keep their reliever inhalers with them at all times.
Charity Asthma and Lung UK is also advising families to stay indoors on high-pollen days and keep an eye out on the weather forecast too.
Dr Andy Whittamore from Asthma and Lung UK, says:
'When pollen levels are at their highest this can be deadly for those with lung conditions like asthma who can suffer serious symptoms and have life-threatening attacks.
'These attacks can leave people fighting for breath, which can be terrifying, but there are things they can do to look after themselves.
'Using your preventer inhalers as prescribed is important as the medicine reduces sensitivity and swelling in the airways, helping to prevent symptoms such as wheezing and coughing before they even start.'
What is hay fever?
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen.
Holly Shaw, Allergy UK's nurse advisor, says:
'We tend to be allergic to either tree, grass or weed pollen – although around 90% of hay fever cases are down to grass pollen.'
How to treat hay fever symptoms
Hay fever symptoms can include:
- frequent bouts of sneezing
- a blocked or a runny nose
- itchy, watery eyes that may appear red
- a sore, itchy throat and mouth
- ears may feel stuffy, too
- a cough caused by a postnasal drip, which is when mucus drips from the nose down the throat
Lots of the symptoms can be caused by others things such as cold and flu viruses. However, if the symptoms go on for longer than two weeks, or worsen on days when the pollen count is high, that's a tell-tale sign your child may have hay fever.
If you think your child may have hay fever, Holly recommends popping into your nearest pharmacy, where the pharmacist can talk you through age-appropriate medicines to manage your child's symptoms or advise you to go to your child's GP if their symptoms are worse.
Treatments can include antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, decongestant nasal sprays and eye drops. Find out more on how to treat the symptoms here.
Are you worried about your child and hay fever? Share your thoughts in our chat forum below.
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