Change in season harmful for hay fever sufferers, say doctors.

ISLAMABAD -- While it is generally believed that allergy season coincides with spring, the start of winter can actually be worse for people suffering from allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), people who are sensitive to pollen 'must stay indoors before 10am and after 5pm and if they have to go outdoors they must wear face masks.

'They should take balanced diet, plenty of water and sleep for six to eight hours daily as it increases immunity.

'They should visit their physicians as soon as they find symptoms of allergy. It must not be taken lightly because mild symptoms may suddenly worsen and cause death within 10 minutes.'

The statement said: 'Association is very much concerned about the health of the people of north eastern areas of Pakistan and particularly about residents of the federal capital and its periphery areas, who face serious problems at the onset of the change of season, due to the increase of pollen concentration in the air.

'The pollen allergy has been such a serious issue that causes hay fever and creates problem to the people suffering from upper and lower respiratory diseases.'

PMA Secretary General Dr Qaisar Sajjad said hay fever causes cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure.

But unlike a cold, hay fever is not caused by a virus, it is an allergy that people are affected by at the start of winter, he said.

'Pollen is a fine powder from plants. Hay fever is usually worse when the pollen count is high in the atmosphere. Its symptoms are a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, itchy eyes and throat, headache, sneezing and shortness of breath which can be complicated,' he said.

Dr Sajjad, an ears, nose and throat surgeon, told Dawn that hay fever is the...