This Morning’s Alison Hammond forced to pull out of show hours before going on air as replacement revealed
THIS Morning’s Alison Hammond has been forced to pull out of the show hours before going on air.
The popular presenter will be replaced in her usual Friday slot hosting alongside Dermot O’Leary.
Alison Hammond, 50, took to Instagram and revealed she is suffering from bad hayfever.
Instead, she will be replaced on This Morning today by Lisa Snowdon.
The model and presenter is well known by fans, and has hosted the show before.
Lisa will join Dermot when the show kicks off at 10am.
Alison announced the news on her Insta Stories that she would be unable to do today’s show.
Looking unwell and sounding very bunged up, she told fans that she had been unwell for “two to three days”.
This has now led her to having to pull out of This Morning today.
Addressing fans, she said: “Good morning everybody, I’ve got a filter on this, as I look that rough.
“I’ve had the worst hayfever for the last, I’d say two to three days.
“I don’t know what’s hit me, but it has hit be like a bus.
“So I’m just letting you know that I’m not going to be making This Morning today.
“But the lovely Lisa Snowdon is going to be stepping into my shoes with the lovely Dermot, so I’ll see you next week.
“I’m fine, but I’ve got loads of drugs, I’ve got all the hayfever stuff!”
Alison then ran through all the meds she was taking to cure her symptoms.
She signed off by saying: “I love you and I’ll see you next week.”
Alison has been hosting This Morning on Fridays and school holidays with Dermot since 2020, after they replaced Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.
This Morning kicks off on ITV at 10am today.
Hay fever first aid kit
Analyse your symptoms and find the best medication kit for you…
Antihistamines
Antihistamines (cetirizine or loratadine) work by blocking histamine in the body, which is released when the body detects something it thinks is harmful.
Histamine causes blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell, but in people with hay fever, also causes an allergic reaction. That’s the watering eyes, blocked nose, rashes and so on.
Max Wiseberg, airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax, says that many antihistamines are available on prescription, such as Telfast, which you can see your GP for or get through an online doctor, such as LloydsPharmacy.
Telfast, and other prescription-only antihistamine tablets, work in the same way as over-the-counter antihistamines, but are stronger and intended to help with more severe symptoms.
“Get your prescription in advance of the season so you have your medication in time to start taking it at the right time,” he says.
“Some are best taken at least one month before the hay fever season starts.”
Nasal sprays
A nasal spray can be effective in controlling congestion and stuffiness.
Pharmacists can advise on nasal sprays (sodium cromoglicate, ipratropium bromide or decongestant), and eye drops, too.
Nasal sprays can also help with other symptoms of hay fever “because the medicine is targeted directly to the nose, which is where the vast majority of allergens enter the body”, Max says.
Independent pharmacist Rita Ghelani says: “Try Xlear nasal spray, which contains xylitol, and has anti-bacterial properties and keeps the nasal lining moist.
“If symptoms are more severe, then try an anti-inflammatory nasal spray – sometimes referred to as a steroid nasal spray – which can take a few days to work.
“Start with one that contains beclomethasone, which is used twice a day, in the morning and at night.”
Rita also advises cleaning the nose with a saline nasal spray before a steroid spray, saying: “It will remove sticky mucus from the nasal passage, thus improving the effectiveness of the medication.”
Eye drops
If itchy eyes are your primary concern, Rita says: “Try using sodium cromoglicate eye drops.
“These make the eyes less sensitive to allergens such as pollen and reduce irritation.
“They need to be used four times a day to keep the levels of the active ingredient high enough to be effective.
“Keep using them even if symptoms improve.
“Using a good eye drop to lubricate the eyes may also help with dry eyes during the summer months.”