How to survive the hay fever season and look fabulous on your wedding day.

Dr Sabrina Shah-Desai (pictured), Consultant Ophthalmologist & Oculoplastic Surgeon at Perfect Eyes Ltd provides her expert tips on how to survive the hay fever season and look fabulous on your wedding day.

·         Keep doors and windows closed (in the house and car) and wear wrap around glasses

·         After outdoor activities like walking in grassy fields or going camping change clothing and shower.

·         Start prophylactic treatment by taking a once daily non sedative antihistamine (Loratadine or Cetirizine) 2 weeks before end of February. In addition start the OTC eye drops like Opticrom drops ( available over the counter) 4 times/day and Nasal saline washouts like Sterimar can also be helpful several times a day. It’s crucial to start taking antihistamines early, before your symptoms start playing havoc with your health – and complexion. In hay fever, histamine causes eye symptoms such as inflammation, redness and itching by acting on H1 histamine receptors in the eyes. Eye drops block the H1 receptors, however, this treatment only works if taken before contact with the allergen, and it can take a number of weeks for the effects of the treatment to be seen. Cromoglicate is available as non-prescription eye drops, and is most beneficial in the treatment of red, watery, itchy eyes since oral anti-histamines do not always offer much relief. Steroids can be given as nasal sprays and eye drops and are particularly useful if they are started before the allergens appear. This may be a few weeks before the pollen season.

·         Consider air filters for the house and vacuum cleaner

·         Bridal make-up 

o   Avoid stick on eye lashes as the glue could trigger an allergy. Too much mascara and eyeshadows can also worsen hay fever symptoms. Avoid shimmery eyeshadows, which will only draw attention to irritated skin around the eyes.

o   Look for hypoallergenic make-up and read the labels closely. With soothing skin products, eye drops, natural home remedies and a bit of make-up as needed, your skin will feel soothed and less irritated.

o   Make-up tip - Using a white eyeliner pencil, apply a bit to the inner corner of each eye and smudge, this will give your eyes a more alert appearance. A brown/black or navy mascara can give the illusion of brighter eyes. Black mascaras are more likely to cast a shadow under the eye so they won’t do you any favours when your eyes are irritated from hay fever symptoms. Dot a concealer lightly under the eye area and over the lid, up to the brow bone. Pat it in gently, so as not to further irritate the delicate skin around the eyes. You can set the concealer with a loose powder. It’s worth remembering that skin tends to get drier from taking antihistamines so makeup will look more pronounced.