BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty has revealed her struggle with a “debilitating” allergy that she’s been battling “forever.”
She hosted Saturday’s show alongside Charlie Stayt and openly discussed her condition during a conversation with Dr. Fari Ahmad.
The segment focused on hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, which is an allergic response to pollen and can cause symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. It’s a widespread issue that affects many people.
Kicking off the discussion, Charlie noted: “It can be really debilitating, can’t it?”
Dr Fari responded: “It certainly can, and there’s good evidence that people’s exam scores can be affected. You know, when the pollen count is bad, there’s even been some evidence about how it impacts your driving ability when you have bad hay fever,” reports the Express.
Naga then interjected with a question: “What can you do about it? I mean, we had someone in Manchester say that their partner takes a nasal spray and tablets.”
She continued by sharing her own experience: “I was always told because I’ve had hay fever forever…it feels like forever that you should take one or the other, that you should you can spray, you can use the nasal spray, but you don’t then use the tablets.”
The expert guest clarified: “I think you need to treat your symptoms and how badly you’re affected. So yes, some people they can just take the spray, and they’re okay; some people just take eye drops.
“There are some people, because your symptoms can be so severe, you actually need a combination to keep things at bay. I mean, your pharmacist really is your best friend.”
After noting the high number of hay fever sufferers around, Naga questioned if it’s possible to become “resistant” to a certain hay fever medication.
“I don’t think that there’s much evidence of that,” the doctor replied, before suggesting: “I think if something is suiting you and still working for you, then go ahead and use it.”
She also advised that “Some hay fever treatment is good to start a little bit early. So, like the sprays that have steroids in them, if you start them a few days early, they work better.”
BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One.
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