Hayfever killed my son, 16, while he celebrated GCSE results with pals – my heart broke as I turned off his life support
FOR many the warm weather this week will be a welcome change, but for Helena Dale it's a tragic reminder of the worst moment of her life.
The day of her son Joe's GCSE results should have been a happy one - instead it turned into every parent's worst nightmare.
Helena, 56, lost her son, Joe, then 16, after he went out with pals to celebrate finishing his GCSEs in the height of summer.
While relaxing at a friend's house later that evening, Joe suffered a devastating asthma attack caused by hayfever and lost consciousness.
He was rushed to hospital but never regained consciousness and six days later his parents made the heartbreaking decision to turn off his life-support machine on June 23, 2017 - the day of his school prom.
Doctors believe his cause of death was a severe asthmatic reaction to pollen, which was extremely high that day, and can cause airways to swell up for sufferers of the condition.
It's believed the swelling caused Joe's bronchial tubes to narrow - preventing the teen from being able to breathe properly and resulting in him falling unconscious.
Nearly eight years on, Helena is sharing Joe's story to help warn others to "be vigilant" ahead of the summer months and carry medication everywhere with them.
Helena, who works in admin, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, said: "I never believed Joe would die, I thought he'd be OK.
"It's impossible to put into words what it's like to lose a child like this - it's absolutely heart-wrenching.
"It still hurts every day he's not here.
"When I see his mates get jobs and girlfriends, I think Joe should be here doing the same thing.
"Take medication as medically instructed and an inhaler everywhere if you have one.
"Be vigilant, especially when the pollen count is high.
"It's nice to talk about Joe and use his story to raise awareness, but it's just as painful because we're still navigating life without him."
Helena described Joe as a "fit and active" boy who played football up to four times a week and often went go-kart racing with his dad, Jon, 54, a graphic designer.
Despite suffering from asthma since the age of five, Joe had only had one asthma attack when he was 12, before his death four years later.
Helena said he took a puff on a 'brown inhaler' - to reduce airway inflammation - each morning and evening and kept a 'blue inhaler' - which relaxes airways - on him during the day in case of an emergency.
On June 23, 2017, after spending time with friends at the park, at around 7.30pm, Joe got up from his seat and puffed on his blue inhaler.
He then fell to the floor unconscious, and an ambulance was called before Joe's friend contacted Helena and Jon to tell them what had happened.
He was rushed to Barnsley Hospital and immediately admitted to intensive care, where doctors spent days attempting to save his life.
He was such a kind and thoughtful person
Helena Dale
Helena says on June 23 2017, a consultant told them there was nothing else they could do.
In the wake of the tragedy, the heartbroken couple decided to donate Joe's organs and they have since learned they were used to save three other people - including a father and a teenager.
Helena said: "We knew he would have wanted that, he was such a kind and thoughtful person.
"It does help to know his death wasn't for nothing."
What other natural remedies do doctors recommend for hayfever?
IF you don't want to take antihistamines to keep hayfever symptoms at bay, there are a number of tried and tested natural remedies you can give a go instead. Here's some of the ones doctors recommend:
Saltwater nasal sprays
Sprays containing Ectoin can both relieve symptoms and prevent them too, expert consultant adult and paediatric allergist and immunologist Professor Adam Fox
Steam inhalation
Another natural remedy, which is also safe to use during pregnancy as well, is steam inhalation. This solution has been used for centuries to help ease nasal congestion, and is as helpful at reducing hayfever symptoms as it is for sinusitis or a head cold.
Wear sunglasses
Investing in a good pair of wrap around sunglasses can be vital if you struggle with hayfever, as they can help reduce the amount of pollen that gets into, and irritates, the eyes.
Clean pollen away before bed
It's also important to ensure you're not taking pollen from the day to bed with you. Make sure you wash your hair and clean your face and eyelashes before bed to stop allergens rubbing onto your pillow and exacerbating symptoms.
When the GCSE results were released that summer, Joe's family discovered he had achieved great results in all his subjects - including some A*s.
He was due to go into Penistone Grammar Sixth Form a few weeks later and had plans to go to university afterwards.
Helena and Jon - alongside their two other children, Matt, 20, and Abbie, 31 - were supported by Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice in the wake of Joe's death.
The hospice enables families to stay with their children after they die in specialist suites.
To anyone who has pollen allergies - severe or not - be vigilant this summe
Helena Dale
"We were able to stay at the facility for a week after we lost Joe - it was our saving grace," Helena said.
"We've never forgotten that and continue a close relationship with the hospice.
"This September, Joe would have been 25. It hurts that he isn't here.
"To anyone who has pollen allergies - severe or not - be vigilant this summer.
"Make smart choices with outdoor exposure and always take your medication and or an inhaler everywhere.
"Joe's story is a tragic reminder that pollen allergies are serious."
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