Hay Fever season is upon us.

Some of my friends in Robertson are suffering really bad "Hay Fever" at present.

As I understand this issue, it might be more of a reaction to an irritant perfume, than an actual (medical) allergic reaction which is an immune system reaction, or the milder inflammation of the eyes and nose, which is the true Hay Fever. It is nearly always an allergy to wind-borne pollens, which mostly come from grasses and some wind-pollinated plants (such as Pines and Willows). But Wikipedia states that: "An estimated 90% of hay fever sufferers are allergic to grass pollen."

 This is a common irritating grass.

Yorkshire Fog

The reason that insect pollinated plants are largely discounted as allergy-causative, is that the pollen grains of insect pollinated plants are relatively large and heavy, and so do not travel far. By contrast, the ultra-fine pollens of grass and Pines can travel around the world, on the wind.

Assorted weedy grasses beside the Railway Line in Robertson

I recommend that individuals try to work out if their "Hay Fever" is caused by true allergies to grass pollens and other wind-blown pollens which might possibly require medically supervised intervention. (Doctor's treatment).  If you feel you do need medical assistance, start by talking to your local chemist or if you feel it is more severe than I am describing, see your friendly local GP. 

On the other hand, if you are suffering an adverse reaction to a strong and moderately irritating plant perfume,  your problem is most likely to be caused by Privets and less likely, Honeysuckle. In that case, it probably does not require medically-supervised intervention. Your symptoms might respond to commercially available medications.

For irritations, rather than true allergic reactions, 

the prime suspect is the "Small-leaved Privet" (Ligustrum sinense). 

Small-leaved Privet beside Railway line

• "Some people have allergic reactions to Privet causing asthma or related breathing problems so be careful, you might make your neighbors, spouse or children sick. Also, many people consider Privet to be invasive because it produces a ton of little berries which carry seeds and will propagate very easy so don’t plant it too close to the neighbors yard or garden bed or it might take over."

• Source: Garden of Tomorrow: Ligustrum, Privet.

Leaves of Small-leaved Privet have undulating margins.

 The scent of Privet is very prominent at present, 

and may carry hundreds of metres.

The scent is very "cloying"  

tending to cause disgust or aversion through excess

"a perfume of cloying sweetness"

I cannot move around Robertson at present 

without being aware of the sickly sweet perfume of Privet.

The flowers of the Small-leaved Privet are pure white when fresh.

And then there is Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) 

which is a genuinely sweet perfume,

but very intense and potentially irritating. 

It also grows wild in Robertson along roadside verges, 

and notably along the Railway line 

which threads its way thought the middle of the Village.

The Japanese Honeysuckle is a large-growing climber

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