How to Reduce Your Allergies by Avoiding Certain Flora

Hay fever isn’t actually anything to do with a fever, rather being associated with your body’s over-reactive immune system which sees pollen and dust to be a dangerous foreign body in the respiratory system. As a result, it creates a reaction in the form of watery eyes, sneezing and a sore throat. The pollen and dust most commonly arrives around spring or summer time, when flowers and trees are budding, but people with hay fever can suffer throughout the year depending on what they’re allergic to. The most allergenic plant is known as ragweed, and this can be found in fields, by the roadside and in more rural areas. It’s believed that over 75 percent of Americans who are allergic to plants have an allergy to this specific species – it is more common in summer and autumn, so it is best avoided around this time to reduce your symptoms. Certain trees can also emit pollen which can make your symptoms worse. These usually pollinate in spring, so be prepared with antihistamines during this time of year if you’re allergic to tree pollen.

 

Found in meadows and dry lawns, rye-grass is particularly problematic for allergy sufferers – in fact, given the abundance of grasses everywhere you look, grasses in general can be an issue if you’re allergic to them, as it means you never really get time off from your condition. There is no allergy-free grass and if you mow it, the mold spores from the grass also come up into the air and can make your symptoms worse. Elm trees are common in America, and in the UK too, and pollinate in the spring. Dutch Elm disease killed around 100 million elm trees between 1930 and 1980, but in the late 90s the trees made a comeback meaning terrible symptoms for allergy sufferers. Mulberries may not be the most common of fruits, but from winter to summer they come out in full force as a surprising contender for allergy sufferers. Flowering plants don’t usually create potent allergens – a general rule of thumb is if it creates a pretty flower, such as crab apple trees and cherry blossoms, then it probably won’t irritate your allergies. However, studies show that mulberries do contribute towards hay fever so these are best avoided if you’re one of the unlucky ones for whom pollen is the enemy.

Oak trees are common and pollinate in spring – they produce less potent pollen but in vast quantities, as well as producing it for the longest season. Parks and natural areas often have oak trees so these are best avoided in the height of spring so that your allergies can be reduced. Lastly, mold is a serious contender for this issue and is commonly found in the spring after several months of cold weather and rain. In order to reduce this in your home you need to air your home out regularly by keeping your windows open where possible to allow fresh air to circulate. In places where there is a lot of steam, such as the kitchen or bathroom, be sure to leave the window open slightly at all times so that cool air can reduce condensation in the home. If you do suffer from allergies, though, don’t be the one to clean mold in the home – pass that job on to a family member or friend if possible, as your symptoms will flare up. Try to keep your home dust and mold free if possible, and shower after being outdoors in high pollen seasons as pollen can cling to your hair and skin and make your symptoms worse.

Categories: allergies, allergy sufferers, elm trees, Hay Fever, oak trees, Pollen, spring, Symptoms, symptoms worse, Trees

Tackle Hay Fever with Complementary Therapy

Hay fever affects around 20 percent of people in the UK according to research, but for many people who have this condition this means summers filled with sinus problems and sneezing. Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is the allergic reaction by the body to pollens which are breathed in or which get into the eyes. It’s most commonly birch pollen which causes hay fever in people, which is released in March, and grass pollen which develops in late May. However, depending on which type of pollen you’re allergic to you can have symptoms at any time of the year. It’s important to remember with any complementary therapy, there are limited studies to prove the effectiveness of the treatment – you should always consult your GP before starting any new treatment to ensure that it is safe.

 

Homeopathy is a form of treatment which is based on the theory of ‘like for like’. In the form of allergies, this means using anti-allergy herbs and ingredients which can ease the sneezing and itching symptoms attached to hay fever. Homeopathic nasal sprays often include ingredients such as traces of red onion which relieves runny noses, nasal irritation and sneezing. Pollenna is another treatment which provides tablets to be sucked or chewed every two hours, six times a day, until your symptoms begin to wane. Infrared light has limited scientific proof attached to it, but there have been trials carried out which reveal that 72 percent of hay fever patients claimed to have a reduced level of symptoms and felt better overall. This is because infrared light consists of wavelengths which have been proven to trigger the healing of nasal membranes, helping to soothe hay fever in sufferers. Membranes can become damaged during this time, so membrane protectors are a great idea. Cellulose powder is applied to the nasal passages which forms a coating on the nose and traps allergens before they can get into the respiratory passages which can be irritating.

 

Nasal sprays are often considered by most to be the top product to use during bouts of hay fever, with 77 percent of people claiming that they’re successful in reducing hay fever symptoms. Used in the long-term, it can even help to prevent hay fever from developing or getting worse. If you want to get the same effect, a little Vaseline rubbed just inside the nose can protect the membranes and trap pollen before it is inhaled.

 

There are ways to treat your hay fever with your lifestyle changes and diet as well. The air you breathe plays a big part in how bad your symptoms are, so an air purifier could be beneficial in cleaning this and helping to reduce the amount of pollen in it. If you’re venturing outdoors, it may be worthwhile to check the pollen count before you leave the house and stay away from parks and nature-rich areas where the pollen will be worse. Garlic is a great addition to your diet if you have hay fever, as it is a natural antihistamine, as is local honey which can desensitise the immune system so it doesn’t react quite so strongly to pollens. Green tea is also a great choice, as this can bolster the immune system and soothe the throat. As with any condition, a healthy diet in general will keep your body working on top form and will strengthen your immune system. If you are worried about your condition, seek advice from your GP who can advise of any other treatment options.

Categories: complementary therapy, fever, Hay Fever, infrared light, nasal sprays, Pollen, sneezing

How to Cope with Hay Fever during the Summer Months

During the summer season, many people find that they begin to spot the signs of hay fever. This is an allergic reaction to the pollen from grasses, trees and flowers, as well as moulds which are carried on the air during spring and summer. Your body, during this time, can react to these allergens because it mistakes them for invaders on the immune system, such as a virus. When you have hay fever, the defence system against these ‘invaders’ overreacts, and the result is the symptoms commonly associated with hay fever. Hay fever, food allergies, eczema and asthma are all connected, and you’ll be more likely to develop one or several of these if they run in your family. This group of conditions means your body produces a type of antibody known as immunoglobulin E (Ig E) which responds to harmless allergens, such as dust mites or pollen. The symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes or throat, and a blocked or runny nose. These symptoms make sleeping and concentrating difficult, and they may trigger asthma in some people as well. If you have hay fever, you’ll be more vulnerable to dust mites, pet hair and mould allergies – this is known as perennial or persistent allergic rhinitis.

 

When your symptoms arise determines what kind of allergy you have. If your symptoms are worse from May to July or August, you’re more likely to be suffering with a grass pollen allergy. From April to May, your hay fever trigger is likely to be birch pollen – in June or July to November, the cause of your symptoms will be weeds or spores. There are various medications available to combat the effects of hay fever, which you can buy in pharmacies, supermarkets, or get a prescription for from your GP. If you haven’t used the medication before, check with your GP first to ensure that it is safe, even if you don’t need a prescription for it. Nasal sprays are really effective if you only get hay fever now and again, particularly if they only affect your nose – antihistamine nasal sprays could prove to be beneficial where your symptoms are concerned. Decongestant nasal sprays can help if you’re suffering with a blocked or runny nose, but these are only suitable for occasional use. Antihistamine tablets could help to reduce a runny nose or combat sneezing, but if you have a blocked nose, these won’t be the best course of treatment. It’s best to check with your GP before taking these, as some tablets cause drowsiness. Eye drops can also help if you’re suffering with itchy or sore eyes as a side effect of your hay fever.

 

The best way to control your symptoms is to keep a check of the pollen count in your area each day during the summer season. Pollen counts are published daily for grass, weed and tree pollens – there are also pollen forecasts to suggest how high the pollen may be during the week. Keeping an eye on these will help you avoid areas where the pollen count may be worse, such as parks. You can also keep doors and windows closed during high pollen count days, as well as avoiding parks and pollen-rich areas in the early morning and evening when the count will be higher. Drying your washing indoors as opposed to outside can help to avoid pollen clinging to your clothes, as can wearing wrap around sunglasses to keep the pollen out of your eyes. If you’ve been outside, you should have a shower and change your clothes when you get home to rinse off any pollen from your skin or hair – this will stop your symptoms persisting throughout the evening.

Categories: allergy, Hay Fever, Pollen

How Hay Fever Affects Asthma Sufferers, Too

Hay fever season is just around the corner and the annual misery for sufferers begins again. Pollen from plants, grass and trees is responsible for the typical symptoms of hay fever, such as frequent sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, throat and nose. Hay fever sufferers with more severe allergies to pollen might also experience headaches, sweats and the loss of their sense of smell.

Hay fever is usually caused by high pollen counts, measured by the amount of grains of pollen in one cubic metre of air.

High pollen counts can also play havoc with the respiratory systems of those who have asthma and bronchitis, both chronic conditions that affect the lungs. When you have a respiratory condition such as asthma, your immune condition is already severely compromised, making you more prone to suffering allergic reactions to the likes of pollen.

If you have asthma and also have a hay fever reaction, you might expect symptoms such as tightness of chest and shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. Taking more of the medication you have been prescribed to relieve your asthmatic symptoms will generally offer relief from hay fever reactions, too.

A side effect of hay fever is allergic rhinitis, where the inside of the nose becomes inflamed because of its allergic reaction to pollen. Allergic rhinitis can also be caused by allergic reactions to dust, mould and animal dander. You might only suffer from allergic rhinitis at certain times of the year; for example, when the pollen count is high during spring, summer and harvest season. However, it can affect some people all year round, depending on the severity and breadth of their allergies.

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are typically like those of the common cold, such as sneezing, blocked or runny nose and itchiness.

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How Hay Fever Affects Asthma Sufferers, Too

Categories: Asthma, Hay Fever, Symptoms