Hay fever is a reaction to airborne allergens such as pollen, dust mites and mould which lead to itchy eyes, coughing and sneezing. And while there is no cure or way of preventing it, you can relieve the symptoms.
With peak season upon us, and due to last until around September time, symptoms can be at their worst at this time of year, particularly in windy, warm or humid conditions, when the pollen count tends to be at its highest.
Hay fever is so called because it was thought that the smell of hay triggered symptoms, especially at the time of year when it was being made.
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
While a cold usually clears up within a week, hay fever can last far longer. The main symptoms include:
- Sneezing or coughing
- A blocked or runny nose
- Watery, itchy or red eyes
- A loss of smell
- Itching in the throat, ears, nose and mouth
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- A pain around the forehead and the sides of the head
What can I do to relieve hay fever symptoms?
There may not be a cure as such, but you can relieve the symptoms of this common allergy during peak season. For example, wear a wide-brimmed hat or wraparound sunglasses, and trap pollen by putting Vaseline around your nostrils.
Try to keep doors and windows closed as far as possible, dust with a dampened cloth and vacuum regularly. Some people also find it helps to add a HEPA filter to their vacuum cleaner or a pollen filter to the car’s air vents.
It’s also worth getting rid of pollen after you’ve been outside by showering and changing your clothes as soon as you’re back indoors. You could also try steam inhalation – breathing in warm, damp air from hot water, to soothe and open the nasal passages and loosen mucus, which should bring some relief from the symptoms.
You may find it makes symptoms worse if you cut or walk over grass or spend prolonged periods outdoors – which can, of course, be annoying in lovely weather. Equally, you shouldn’t really have fresh flowers indoors, while smoking can also worsen the symptoms.
Finally, again this is frustrating, but if you dry clothes outdoors, pollen may land on them, while pets can also carry pollen indoors.
So it’s worth understanding the symptoms and causes of hay fever, and what is likely to make things worse as peak season for the condition gets underway.
Help for hay fever and congestion from Ganesha Wholefoods
At Ganesha, we understand how dispiriting hay fever can be, and how it can affect your enjoyment of being outside in warmer weather. We offer a number of natural remedies to soothe symptoms so you have a more comfortable summer and breathe a little more easily. Combine them with the simple lifestyle changes mentioned above for maximum effect.
Check out products like our A.Vogel Pollinosan hay fever tablets, a non-drowsy, homeopathic product which you can use with other hay fever remedies. Relieve red, irritated or dry eyes with these eye drops from the same company; they’re safe for kids aged 12 or older and contact lens users.
Stuffy nose? We’ve got you covered with the A.Vogel Sinuforce nasal spray, made with menthol for swift relief by reducing swelling of the mucous membranes in the nose with its 100% natural ingredients.
Alternatively, try our A.Vogel Luffa complex liquid drops. This one incorporates a blend of tropical herbs. It’s a vegan treatment, easy to take and quick to make a difference.
Make Ganesha your one-shop stop for all your organic and natural product needs. We’re a family-run business that’s been going for well over four decades, plus we offer speedy shipping which is free on all orders worth £40 or more.
Browse our website for everything you need as spring gets underway – or pop into one of our shops in Devon, in Honiton, Axminster and Sidmouth, for a fantastic in-person shopping experience.