How to Deal With Hay Fever: Tips to Smell the Flowers

pollen allergy hay fever

Spring may be one of the best times of the year, but allergies abound! Luckily, there are ways to treat and minimize the symptoms of hay fever. Read on to find out to survive spring with pollen allergy.

For many people, spring and fall can be best spent in nature whether its spring buds or falling leaves. But, it’s easy to forget that for many the shifting seasons may not be so delightful. In fact, the allergy known as hay fever is the fifth most common disease in the United States! And, while it might be just a few sniffles and sneezing, hay fever season can be more difficult for some. But whatever the severity of the pollen count, there are things you can do to improve this allergy.

hay fever flowers

What Is Hay Fever?

It might not roll off the tongue, but the medical term for hay fever is actually Allergic rhinitis. Unfortunately, it can be just as irritating as it sounds! As it stands, this hay fever allergy affects approximately 8.2 percent of adults in the United States. Many people think that it’s caused solely by seasonal shifts, but there’s more to it than that!

In fact, there are two different types of allergic rhinitis. Airborne mold spores, or pollen in grass and trees causes the seasonal allergy symptoms in spring and fall. For those who experience it year round, dust mites, pet hair or mold may be the allergens. There can also be other factors like smoke, perfume or cleaning products that can lead to this allergy.

hay fever sniffles

How Does Hay Fever Affect You?

There are a number of different hay fever symptoms that people may experience. Some of the physical symptoms can or may include:

  • Nasal congestion and/or runny noseWatery, itchy eyes and mouth or itchy skinSneezingCough

However, dependent upon the type, there can also be more severe hay fever allergy symptoms to deal with:

  • AsthmaDecreased focus and decision-making abilityIssues with hand-eye coordinationSleep disorders and fatigueMemory ProblemsIrritability

Many people suffering from hay fever also have so called cross allergies with foods. If you are allergic to grass pollens, for example, your body might also react to kiwi, watermelon or peanuts. Allergic reactions to foods can vary from light itching on the lips or tongue to severe problems like an asthma attack. So it’s best to talk to your doctor about cross allergies accompanying your allergic rhinitis.

How Do You Get Rid of Hay Fever?

There are a number of ways you can make seasonal allergies a little easier on you. By wearing glasses or sunglasses outdoors, you can keep pollen out of your eyes and reduce irritation. When the presence of pollen is particularly bad, avoid opening your windows and rely on air conditioning instead. If you’re around any animals, ensure you wash your hands after petting them for hay fever allergy relief.

While you can get allergy medications like antihistamine at your local drugstore, some of these will not help with more serious allergic rhinitis. Instead, you may want to consider alternative medicines that can help.

vitamins for health

What Are Some Natural Remedies?

Over-the-counter drugs and antihistamines can offer a bit of comfort when you’re struggling with hay fever treatment at home. But, you may also want to try other methods for pollen allergy treatment and share them on FamilyApp:

  • Vitamins– In addition to supplements, getting in the right vitamins can easily improve your physical well being. It can be helpful to take 25,000 IUs of vitamin A daily. In addition, take 1-3 grams of vitamin C  (2-3 times per day), 400 IUs of vitamin E and 30 mg of zinc.Herbal Supplements– Instead of springing for hay fever medicine, you may want to take advantage of the earth’s bounty. While Butterbur may help prevent symptoms, spirulina and Tinospora cordifolia are also believed to help with allergic reactions.Healthy Eating – The way the body reacts to physical ailments often comes down to the foods you eat. In addition to leafy greens, choose vegetables that are deep in color like beets, peppers and carrots. Onions, garlic, ginger and cayenne can also clear out the system. It’s also important to avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugar, wheat, red meat, dairy and citrus fruit.Acupuncture – It may not be the easiest method of getting relief. But, some studies suggest that acupuncture can help to minimize hay fever symptoms. In a recent study, allergy sufferers actually showed symptom improvement with a dozen acupuncture sessions. If you already use this therapy, it may offer another added benefit.

Enjoy the Spring Flowers!

Spring may be the best time of the year, but it can strike fright into the heart of hay fever sufferers! Luckily, whether you try to avoid pollen or adopt a healthier lifestyle, there are ways to improve your reaction to allergens. Do you have any tried and tested allergy solutions? Share them with us in our comments! While the same thing won’t work for everyone, there are simple ways to minimize your downtime.

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