Breathe easy

Got summer allergies? Follow these steps to stop seasonal sniffles from ruining your workout

- By Sarah Sellens

Is there anything better for the soul than cycling, lifting, running or swimming in the sunshine? Actually, there is - cycling, lifting, running or swimming without itchy eyes, a runny nose and tickly throat. Ah, hay fever. Welcome back.

If you're anything like us, the joy of exercising sans windproof jacket, hat and gloves is soon crushed by the onset of seasonal sniffles. And we're not the only ones! Almost half of the UK population struggles with hay fever symptoms, according to a survey by Allergy UK. And numbers could be on the increase of those with the allergy, more than a third (37 percent) said they had developed symptoms for the first time in the past five years. Watery eyes, a blocked nose, itchiness in the throat, coughing and sneezing are all common symptoms of summer allergies, and none of these signs are conducive to max performance.

POLLEN PROBLEMS

So, what's at play? 'Any allergy is caused when the body makes allergic antibodies (IgE) to specific substances,' says Dr Nisa Aslam from Puressentiel, the makers of natural, evidencebacked essential oil solutions for everyday health and wellness needs. 'For hay fever, it is the pollen from trees, grass or flowers that are the triggers. Some people are allergic to just one type of pollen, others may react to multiple types.'