• Question: why do we get hayfever? i know its the pollen but what causes it and why do we mostly get it in the summer?

    Asked by drstilesjlstermerrygold98 to Damien, Rachael, Suzi, Tim on 22 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      Hi @drstiles
      I didn’t know the answer to this – but I’ve found it on the NHS website. It’s mostly in the summer because that’s when trees (or grass, or rape seed or all sorts of plants) release their pollen.

      But as to why…
      Apparently when pollen enters your body through your nose, eyes, mouth or throat, your body responds to it. An allergic reaction is basically your body overreacting to these foreign bodies, as is perceives them as a threat to health.

      The immune system tries to attack the pollen particles, and the release of an antibody called Immunoglobin triggers the release of other chemicals. One of which, called Histamine, causes the symptoms of hayfever (runny nose, eyes watering etc).

      This is why we take anti-histamines, they block the effects of the histamine that the body releases.

      Have a look here for more info
      http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Hay-fever/Pages/Causes.aspx

      Hope this helps. Do you get hayfever? I’ve got it at the moment, and when I was in Cornwall over the weekend it was particularly bad!

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