What is Hay Fever and How Can You Treat it at Home?
Often known as seasonal allergies, hay fever is a problem that bothers millions of people each year. The good news is that with an understanding of what hay fever is and some of the common preventions and treatments, you can diminish the annoyance that it brings.
Hay fever is not like a typical fever as most people think of it. Instead, hay fever is a bothersome allergic reaction that can cause a whole host of cold-like symptoms.
Anyone unfortunate enough to have hay fever will likely experience discomforts like sneezing, sinus congestion, and eye irritation.
At times, those with hay fever can also feel significant fatigue, which may make daily life more of a challenge than you might expect.
Hay fever occurs when someone with allergies comes in contact with an allergen such as pollen, dust, fungus, or mold.
Typically, these allergens are more present during certain times of the year, when they enter the air via the wind.
Often, spring is a season in which many trees give off pollen that can cause hay fever. However, summer often brings grass pollen, and fall comes with weed pollen, both of which can cause the same issue.
Other sources like pet dander, mites, and fungi spores also present a problem for many who suffer from allergies.
These common causes of hay fever are the main ways that this issue is different from a regular fever.
While a standard fever, which is often associated with a raised body temperature, comes from a virus and can affect people whether or not they have allergies, hay fever is nothing more than an allergic reaction to airborne allergens.
Most people won’t come down with hay fever, as the allergens that cause it are not inherently harmful. However, if you have allergies, your body will treat pollen and other particles as a threat to your health. In response, your immune system will react by attacking the allergens you’re breathing in, which causes the cold-like symptoms previously mentioned.
If you struggle with hay fever each year, you’ll be happy to know that there are some preventative measures you can take.
The most obvious form of prevention is to avoid the sources of your allergens, whether that be flowers, trees, or other plants.
It can also help to close the doors and windows of your home during the seasons when hay fever most severely affects you.
You’ll also want to keep your home clean by vacuuming rugs and carpets, and washing your clothes and linens as often as you can.
Cleanliness helps reduce the number of allergens in your home that may cause your hay fever symptoms to begin.
It can also help to wear glasses that cover your eyes when you go outdoors, which prevents pollen and other substances from touching your eyes.
In some cases, lining your nostrils with petroleum jelly will help stop allergens from entering your lungs.
However, many people may need to find a more effective treatment for their hay fever complications.
If your hay fever symptoms persist in spite of those home remedies, you should contact your doctor.
In many instances, your physician may prescribe a nasal spray that can help prevent and treat hay fever symptoms. Decongestants and antihistamines can also help reduce the discomfort that comes with hay fever.
You should also know that while many people suffer from hay fever, some are more prone to it than others.
Those with asthma or those with a history of allergies in their family are more likely to get hay fever each year.
However, if you understand the causes and seek the right medical care, you can help ensure that your hay fever does not have a significant impact on your wellbeing.
The best time to see a doctor is if you notice that none of your home remedies seem to be working to curb your symptoms or if you have a preexisting condition that makes hay fever more likely.
In those cases, an allergen test will give a clear idea of what causes your hay fever and how to best overcome it.