What is Hay Fever?
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is caused by an allergic reaction to certain allergens in the environment, such as pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds, as well as mold and dust.
The worst times for hay fever can vary depending on the individual and the specific allergens they are sensitive to. For example, tree pollen is typically at its highest levels in the spring, grass pollen in the summer, and weed pollen in the fall. Additionally, mold and dust can cause symptoms year-round, but they may be worse during certain seasons or weather conditions.
Symptoms of Hay Fever
The symptoms of hay fever can vary in severity, but typically include:
- Sneezing & coughing
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes, nose and throat
- Watery eyes
- Congestion (stuffy or blocked nose)
- Fatigue
These symptoms can occur at any time during the day, but tend to be more severe in the morning and in the evening.
It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be triggered by other allergens, such as mould spores and pet dander.
Tips to Help You Manage Your Symptoms
When it comes to allergens, unfortunately it’s not possible to avoid them completely, and there’s no current cure.
However, there are some things you can do to limit your exposure to pollen, including:
- Staying indoors on high pollen days, especially during the early morning and late afternoon
- Keep windows and doors closed to prevent pollen from entering your home
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes
- Shower and change your clothes to remove any pollen you’ve accumulated throughout the day
- Keep track of pollen counts and plan your activities accordingly
Medication for Hay Fever
If you’re suffering badly from the symptoms of hay fever, you may want to take to antihistamines to help you in the short-term.
Antihistamines block the effects of histamine, a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction, and are used to alleviate the symptoms felt by the patient.
Antihistamines are available in several forms, including tablets, nasal sprays, and eye drops:
- Tablets: this form antihistamine is taken by mouth, and is generally fast-acting. It can provide relief from symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.
- Nasal sprays: Nasal antihistamines are typically more effective than tablets for treating nasal symptoms (such as congestion, runny, and sneezing). This is because they are applied directly on the nasal passage.
- Eye drops: Antihistamines in this form are best used to relieve symptoms of itchy, red, and watery eyes.
Get Your Hay Fever Relief Delivered to Your Door
If you’re suffering from hay fever, and you want to limit your symptoms by staying in-doors, then you’ll be delighted to hear that you can still get your hands on your antihistamines… without even leaving the house!
Simply click the button below to open up your Healthera app and navigate to the Pharmacy Shop, and you’ll find each form available within the Allergy & Hay Fever category!
