Are you suffering with hayfever this summer? Find out if innovative treatment Halotherapy is worth its salt

If tablets, nasal sprays, and barrier balms are not quite doing the trick, then it could be worth considering halotherapy, an innovative use of salt to combat hayfever, as well as asthma, and a catalogue of other conditions.

Since she was ten years old, retired NHS worker, Mae O’Callaghan suffered so badly from hay fever; it not only destroyed her ‘dreaded’ childhood summers but in later years led to a further diagnosis of asthma that left her choking and unable to breathe.

That’s until she came across Halotherapy, also known as Salt Therapy; halos being the Greek word for salt.

Since 2016, the complementary treatment, which involves inhaling fine particles of pharmaceutical grade salt has transformed her life. She is now medication free and enjoying life all-year round.

The 66-year-old former Support Worker for the Northern Trust from Larne said, from late March until September when the pollen count is high, even a trip out to the bin would trigger symptoms so severe, it kept her up all night.

Mae said: “I wouldn’t describe hay fever as being anything like a cold. It’s much worse. In addition to sneezing, coughing, congestion and runny nose, the itching in the eyes, ears, nose and throat is unbearable. At times, I would feel like sticking a knitting needle into my ear to get some relief. It drove me crazy.

“It started when I was in primary school. I used to dread sunny days when teachers would take the class outside. I was always miserable coming up to exam times. The medication is better now but back then, it made me really sleepy.

“Years later, one night, I woke up and could hardly breathe. It was a really frightening experience. I was diagnosed with asthma, triggered by hay fever. Asthma is an all-year round condition so it was a double whammy. I was choking and coughing and couldn’t get relief.”

The symptoms of asthma include tight chest, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing for which Mae was prescribed an inhaler in addition to eye drop medication, antihistamines and a nasal spray for hay fever.

Out of desperation, a radio advert in 2016 led her to try out Salt Therapy at a clinic in Doagh near to her work in Ballyclare.

The treatment works when fine particles of salt are inhaled, absorbing any excess moisture in the lungs that would cause irritation or infection, thinning mucus and making coughs more productive and less stressful for patients.

Carried out in salt treatment rooms, it alleviates symptoms of lung problems such as asthma, COPD, bronchitis and cough and also helps with allergies, skin conditions and relaxation.

Mae said: “I really only went to deal with the asthma, not knowing that it would be effective against hay fever too. To be honest, I had nothing to lose. I don’t like taking medication and wanted to come off it.

“I started going in April 2016. My hay fever usually kicked off in May. At first, I started going three times a week and then just kept it up although I’ve reduced that to two at the minute. I don’t go over the winter but do start building it up from April and continue doing a couple of sessions a week through to October or November.”

Within a month of starting salt therapy, Mae was able to come off her inhaler and noticed the signs and symptoms of hay fever had yet to start.

Seven years later, she is able to enjoy a normal summer evening ‘just like everyone else.’

“Life has returned to normal. When my eyes get a bit itchy every now and again, I get over the counter eye drops but I no longer need to get prescriptions. I’m also sleeping better because hay fever can get really bad at night. Pollen rises in the heat but falls at night and if you are out you are going to be blasted by it.

“I’ve met another lady suffering from hay fever who is also getting salt therapy and she told me she would have to get up during the night to have a shower to get some relief. I would really encourage anyone who is suffering from this, other allergies or respiratory illnesses to put any scepticism aside and give it a go but do go for more than one treatment as it has a cumulative effect.”