Hay Fever Sufferer? Science Says Put Down The Beer And Go For A Gin & Tonic

Are you suffering from hay fever at the moment? Here in the LADbible office, it feels like someone's having a sneezing fit every couple of minutes. I've already been showered by three different people's spit since I got here.

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I imagine that those of you who are over the age of 18 can't wait to leave work because in this weather, it means one thing and one thing only - beer garden.

If you're not having at least one drink for every degree higher than 25c then you shouldn't be allowed to enjoy the weather. I don't care if it's a Diet Coke or a Pornstar Martini, get yourself out in the sunshine, luv.

HOWEVER. Here's some information for those of you who are allergic to pollen - beer makes it worse.

I know, it's awful. But you do have some other choices to help with your symptoms.

According to Elle, beer (and some other drinks) contain histamine which (as you've probably worked out with your common sense) is the opposite of your hay fever tablets.

Yes, beer contains the exact substance that's released in your body when you have an allergic reaction. Damn. As a result, it can worsen your hay fever (or any other allergic reaction) and even trigger asthma symptoms.

Asthma UK says: "As well as ethanol (pure alcohol), alcoholic drinks contain a natural food chemical called histamine, which is found at particularly high levels in red wine and some beers."

If you're sat there all smug thinking to yourself: "Ha, I only drink white wine." Sorry, Charlotte (I assume that's your name). White wine is just as bad.

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Asthma UK says: "64 per cent of people with asthma say certain types of alcohol triggers their symptoms. Red wine is the main culprit, followed by white wine, beer and then cider." NOT CIDER?

The drinks with the fewest sulphites and histamines is the kind of drink you should be going for. So crack open a cold one with the boys of... a G&T. Or vodka.

To be fair, a nice G&T is absolutely spot on in this weather, and I'm sure a vodka and orange juice would be equally as refreshing.

So the summer's not ruined yet, LADs. Just avoid the beers. Until the weekend, anyway. Then maybe just invest in some hay fever tablets for the next day.

Oh, and if you have asthma and you're going out drinking, promise me you'll take your inhaler? It's better to be safe than sorry. Okay? Okay.

Topics: Ireland, England, Beer, UK, Scotland, Wales

Mel Ramsay

Mel Ramsay has been a Senior Journalist for Tyla and LADbible since 2015. She started her career writing obituaries and funeral guides online. Since then, her work has been published in a wide variety of national and local news sites. She is part of the BBC's Generation project and has spoken about young people, politics and mental health on television, radio and online. Contact her - [email protected]

@melramsay_