I’ve just asked them whether it is CE marked and what EU Directives it meets — this could be something to be referred to the MHRA.

“…the severe pollen seasons forecasted over the next ten to fifty years.”

And I thought they had difficulty telling us what the pollen count was going to be like at the weekend…

“The Lloydspharmacy Hayfever reliever works by using phototherapy of two wavelengths. One wavelength promotes increased blood flow circulation and the second wavelength (red light therapy) suppresses the cells that release histamine and reduces inflammation, thereby relieving the irritating symptoms of hayfever.”

Err.. no doubt there, then.

And:

“A study conducted by the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, and published online by the Current Medical and Research Opinion concluded that the Lloydspharmacy Hayfever Reliever significantly reduced the main symptoms of hayfever – sneezing, runny nose, watering eyes and an itchy palate. In fact it’s so effective some people may feel a reduction in hayfever symptoms after using it just a few times. This device has been clinically proven to help to reduce susceptibility to some types of pollens, making it very useful for the severe pollen seasons forecasted over the next ten to fifty years.”

[This is the Emberlin & Lewis study Adrian Gaylard linked to above]

Emberlin JCC, Lewis RAA. Pollen challenge study of a phototherapy device for reducing the symptoms of hay fever. Current medical research and opinion. 2009 May;Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1185/03007990903024699

I’ve had a copy for a while, but never got around to blogging it. Still, the ASA’s expert has done a better job than I ever could!