Hay Fever - You can manage it!

Hay fever is a misnomer. Hay is not a usual cause of this problem, and it does not cause fever.

Hay fever is actually a type of rhinitis that results from an allergic reaction to pollens. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, frequently include nasal congestion, a clear runny nose, sneezing, nose and eye itching, and excess tear production in the eyes. Postnasal dripping of clear mucus frequently causes a cough. Allergic rhinitis can lead to other diseases such as sinusitis and asthma. This disease not serious but its symptoms can cause plenty of discomfort and inconvenience.

Acording to BBC Heath, there are plenty of things you can do to try to reduce your exposure to pollen:

• Watch the pollen count.
• Avoid going outside as much as possible when it’s humid and windy or when pollen counts are high.
• If you live in a tall building, keep windows closed during the middle of the day, as pollen rises in the atmosphere.
• Protect your eyes from pollen with sunglasses.
• Keep car windows shut as much as possible.
• Don’t put washing out to dry if counts are high as pollen may get trapped in the fibres of clothes and bed linen.
• Plan your garden carefully. Choose low-risk plants and get someone else to cut the lawn. Send out a fine spray on the hose sprinkler before you go in the garden to dampen down pollen in the air.
• Wipe down pets with a damp towel after they’ve been out in the garden, as they may pick up pollen on their fur.
• Before you go to bed, have a shower to get rid of any pollen caught on your body or hair.
• Think carefully about holidays. Pollen levels may be lower on the coast because sea breezes blow it inland.

Based on the seriousness of your symptoms, doctors will help you to make decision about what treatments you should follow. Doctors can prescibe some medicine for you to get through the seasons. The main treatments are:

• Antihistamines - these inhibit the effects of histamines, which are released during an allergic reaction and cause the symptoms of hay fever.
• Steroids - reduce inflammation in the nose or eyes.
• Sodium cromoglycate - prevents allergic reactions in the nose and eyes.
• Decongestants - a short sharp dose may help to unblock the nose, but can make the problem worse if used long-term.
• Desensitisation - a form of vaccine against pollen, which involves a long course of injections containing very tiny amounts of pollen so the body can learn to deal with it without a reaction.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) also has some useful tips for those who suffer from seasonal allergies:

1. Wash bed sheets weekly in hot water.
2. Always bathe and wash hair before bedtime (pollen can collect on skin and hair throughout the day).
3. Do not hang clothes outside to dry where they can trap pollens.
4. Wear a filter mask when mowing or working outdoors.
5. Avoid peak times for pollen exposure (hot, dry, windy days, usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). Although pollens are usually emitted in early morning, peak times for dissemination are between around 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
6. Be aware of local pollen counts in your area (visit the National Allergy Bureau Web site).
7. Keep windows and car windows closed; use air conditioning in both if possible rather than opening windows.
8. Perform a thorough spring cleaning of your home, including replacing heating and A/C filters and cleaning ducts and vents.
9. Check bathrooms and other damp areas in your home frequently for mold and mildew, and remove visible mold with nontoxic cleaners.
10. Keep pets out of the bedroom and off of furniture, since they may carry pollen if they have been outdoors.

Put in the nutshell, the easiest way to treat hay fever is to identify the allergic substance and avoid it.