How to Relieve Hayfever

Hay fever is caused by pollen from grasses and flowers, among other things

Hay fever is an allergic condition that affects one in five people, according to the Mayo Clinic. Common causes of this allergy include dust, pollen and animal dander. Symptoms of this condition include, but are not limited to, nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, headache and itchy eyes. While hay fever can be debilitating, causing individuals to miss work, school and other commitments, there are many medications and methods one can use to alleviate the symptoms of hay fever.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Eat local honey. While studies into the anti-allergenic properties of honey are rudimentary at best, many people swear that their allergy symptoms are alleviated by eating unfiltered, raw local honey. Some people argue that this treatment is psychosomatic, while others propose that eating honey exposes your immune system to local pollens and other allergens that may elicit an allergic reaction.

2. Use nasal spray or a neti pot to rinse out your nose. Nasal sprays, such as Nasonex or Flonase, are available as over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Nasal sprays include an ingredient that causes blood vessels in the nasal passages to constrict, opening the nasal passage and relieving congestion. Neti pots are small pots with long spouts that are inserted into a nostril to rinse the nostril, clearing it of mucus and other debris. Use warm saltwater to rinse the nose with a neti pot.

3. Receive an allergy shot. Allergy shots are usually the most drastic way to relieve hay fever, as they are often expensive, time-consuming and sometimes painful. Allergy shots are administered over a period of time that varies by patient. Each shot exposes the patient's immune system to a small amount of allergen, thus allowing the immune system to gain immunity from the allergen after enough treatments. Consult your doctor to begin an allergy-shot regimen.

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