It’s that time of year again! The sun is shining, T-shirts are replacing jackets, and pollen is in the air. You’re probably enjoying the warmth, soaking in good weather, and trying to have a good time after a dreary winter. But if you’re one of the 19.9 million Americans diagnosed with hay fever, spring may not be as joyful of an occasion.
Here’s a guide to hay fever, what it is, what it does, and how you can combat the aggravating symptoms it often brings.
What is hay fever?
No, hay fever has nothing to do with your temperature spiking above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s not a disease, and it’s likewise not caused by a virus or bacteria. Instead, hay fever, also called seasonal rhinitis, is a common allergic reaction to pollen that can affect both children and adults in the spring. Unlike a cold, it can last weeks or even months. The most common hay fever allergens are pollen from trees, weed, and grass.
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
If you have hay fever, your body makes allergic antibodies to fight off allergen substances like the previously mentioned pollen. The resulting symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- A runny nose
- Congestion
- Coughing
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Fatigue
- Irritated, red, and itchy eyes that may water
How can I prevent hay fever?
While not going outside is impossible for most of us, there are steps you can take to avoid hay fever. For example, you can check weather websites or the weather channel for a pollen count report and then stay indoors if pollen levels are unusually high. You can also:
- Wear wraparound sunglasses.
- Keep windows and doors closed.
- Shower and change clothes immediately after returning indoors.
- Avoid grassy areas, especially in the morning, evening, and night when pollen counts are high.
Treatments for Hay Fever
For mild to moderate allergy symptoms, over-the-counter antihistamines, a class of allergy medication, can usually be quite effective. If your symptoms are serious, however, your doctor may prescribe you additional meds.
Before taking a new medication, talk to your family doctor and inform them of your medical history. Not all medications are suitable for everyone.
Antihistamines
Many over-the-counter antihistamines are effective at providing hay fever relief for most people. Not all antihistamines are made equal though. Some, like BENADRYL®, can make you extremely sleepy. This makes them dangerous to use if you need to be alert to drive, for instance. Other antihistamines, like Claritin®, may be a better choice if you prefer to be alert.
Prescription Steroids
Your doctor may prescribe you corticosteroids (i.e., steroids) to help treat your allergy symptoms. A steroidal nasal spray can help give some relief from a persistent stuffy nose.
It’s important to note, though, that corticosteroids work best if you start taking them a few weeks before symptoms begin, and they should be taken regularly. Ask your doctor for more information.
If you are prescribed medication, don’t let price get in the way of you enjoying your spring. You can access more affordable allergy medication like budesonide nasal spray through international and/or Canadian pharmacy referral services online.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is another method of treating hay fever. It involves injecting a high dose of pollen into your skin that is meant to stimulate your body to better tolerate the allergen. However, due to the size of this dose, this treatment risks triggering a major allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, which could be dangerous.
Home Remedies
If you’re more interested in natural, affordable, and accessible remedies that are already in your cupboard, things like the butterbur herb, honey, and probiotics can work. However, be sure to talk to your doctor before trying a new substance. Just because it’s a natural remedy doesn’t mean it’s harmless. For example, herbs like echinacea can cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to related plants.
Products and services like neti pots and acupuncture may be effective; just make sure that they are high in quality and hygiene. People have suffered infections from neti pots after using neti pots with unfiltered tap water. And acupuncturists without a license are not mandated to sterilize their equipment. So, if you plan to irrigate your nose, use sterile water or sterile saline water bought over-the-counter. And make sure you visit a licensed acupuncturist.
Is there a cure?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for hay fever. Most people with hay fever simply avoid its triggers or use various remedies, pharmaceutical or otherwise, to relieve their symptoms. However, scientists are developing a hay fever vaccine that seems promising.
In the meantime, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if your allergy symptoms bother you. It’s a beautiful time of the year, and you deserve to enjoy it like everyone else!
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