While most young people look forward to the long warm summer months, anyone who suffers from hay fever may be less than enthusiastic at the combination of high pollen and end of year exams. With 25% of young people suffering from hay fever1, there is a real need for a simple and effective solution.
However Hay-Band® may well have the answer. Borrowing from the principles of acupuncture, Hay-Band® is a specially designed acupressure elbow band bringing instant, constant and cost-effective hay fever relief throughout the hay fever season2. Hay-Band® works by exerting a gentle, constant pressure at the elbow crease to bring instant and continuous relief for common hay fever symptoms.
Minimising exposure to pollen can really help – try these practical tips to help ease symptoms when the pollen peaks:
- Be pollen aware – when the pollen count peaks plan on indoor entertainment – why not go to the local indoor swimming pool
- Pollen know how – work out what pollen is causing the allergic reaction and avoid it
- Stay clean – wash hair before bedtime as the pollen can stick to hair and clothes
- Indoor drying – dry washing inside to avoid pollen attaching itself to clothes and bed linen
- Cool shades – wear wrap-around sunglasses to reduce the chances of pollen irritating the eyes
- Nose know-how – put a small layer of petroleum jelly around nostrils to help stop the pollen entering the nostrils
- Chore challenge – whilst the pollen count is high, avoid any unnecessary outdoor chores
- Put hay fever under pressure – use Hay-Band® acupressure elbow band to give constant relief throughout the hay fever season.
Drug-free, Hay-Band® does not cause side effects like drowsiness, often associated with hay fever medicines and is safe for patients taking prescription medications and children3. Hay-Band® may be used before or after the onset of symptoms and throughout the day and night. It is also washable, durable, long lasting and offers value for money – a single band will last this hay fever season and beyond.
Available from Lloydspharmacy nationwide and independent pharmacies, the recommended price is £10.99. For further information or to buy on line see www.hay-band.co.uk
Notes to editors:
- Case studies are available upon request
- Clinical trials have shown that acupuncture gives effective relief for the common hay fever symptoms4,5,6. In addition, acupuncture and its sister therapy acupressure have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and other eastern cultures to restore vitality and alleviate the symptoms of hay fever for over 2,500 years7
- Hay-Band® customer survey: According to Hay-Band® survey over 96% of respondents suffered nose symptoms and over 81% eye symptoms. The most common treatment used was antihistamines (almost 83%). 69% found Hay-Band® to be as good as or more effective than their current treatment. Hay-Band® improved quality of life for over 70% of respondents8
- Method of action: Clinical trials show that acupuncture treatment led to a significant improvement in the common hay fever symptoms – nasal symptoms (sneezing, watery rhinorrhoea, nasal congestion and itching nose) and non-nasal symptoms (itching eyes and eye watering). It is thought that acupuncture clears the respiratory system of mucus and reduces inflammation here and also in the eyes (an antihistamine-like effect)4
- Cost to the nation: Hay fever medication may cost as much as between £20 and £40 a month (depending on which brand is preferred). The estimated annual expenditure on allergies is £1 billion on the National Health Service (NHS)7
- Hay fever and age: Hay fever commonly appears around 11-12 years of age, the symptoms usually peak in the 20s and early 30s then gradually disappear. Almost 50% report symptoms affect their school/work moderately to severely, particularly as the hay fever season clashes with exam time. More than one in 10 said they are embarrassed about their appearance and avoid socialising, while one in 20 hay fever sufferers say they avoid leaving the home because of their condition1
References
1. www.allergyuk.org
2. New Hay-Band® clinical trial: Hay-Band® is currently undergoing a clinical trial, the results will be available in the spring of 2010
3. Best for children aged 8 and over
4. Xue, C., English, R., Zhang, J., Da Costa, C. & Li, C. Effect of acupuncture in the treatment of seasonal rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial, The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 30 (1): 1-11, 2002
5. Ng, D et al., A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Childhood Persistent Allergic Rhinitis, Pediatrics, 114 (5): 1242-47, 2004
6. Brinkhaus, B et al., Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized-controlled clinical trial, European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 59 (9): 953-960, 2004
7. British Acupuncture Council, www.acupuncture.org.uk
8. Hay-Band® customer survey of approximately 100 hay fever sufferers conducted in 2008