Sniffing, sneezing and itching? Here’s how to stop hay fever in its pollen-covered tracks.
Spring has sprung! Usually this means people start flocking to the parks for Pimm’s and picnics, but for some it spells runny mascara, red and itchy eyes and sneezing fits. Seasonal hay fever is common around spring, and is caused by inhaling pollen particles.
“antihistamines are commonly prescribed, but can make you drowsy so be aware of what and how much you’re taking.”
“An overzealous immune system mistakes these harmless particles for intruders and releases inflammatory chemicals called histamines and leukotrienes to combat them,” explains Thomas B. Casale, president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
As a result, your airways and nasal linings swell, triggering congestion, sneezing, and foggy thinking. Although hay fever is quite common (almost 20 percent of South Africans experience it), there’s no instant fix, but making a few changes in your lifestyle can help ease the symptoms.
- Keep windows and doors closed to keep pollen out of your home. Either keep the air conditioner on or run an air filter in your bedroom to keep you from inhaling pollen.
- Not only do big sunnies look cool, but they’ll also stop allergens from getting in your eyes. Eye drops are a must for hay fever sufferers, as they’ll stop your eyes itching and watering.
- Shower twice a day to wash away any pollen that’s come into contact with your clothes, skin and hair. You’ll find you may sleep easier and are less likely to wake up sneezing.
- Outdoor pets can carry pollen into your home on their fur, so keep them out of your room and off your bed.
- Change into clean clothes when you get home, and also change your sheets once a week to prevent allergens from hanging around.
- Allergens are worse in the morning so if you train outdoors, it’s best to work out in the afternoon or rather go to the gym.
- Ask your doctor to recommend meds. Treatment ranges from prescription tablets to nasal sprays, steroids and herbal remedies. Antihistamines are commonly prescribed, but can make you drowsy, so be aware of what and how much you’re taking.
- Immunotherapy is an option for people with severe allergies. Steadily increasing amounts of an allergen are injected once a week for a few months, allowing you to build up a tolerance and eventually you won’t react when exposed to it. Talk to your doctor.
Text by Pippa Alcock. This article features courtesy of the September 2010 edition of Cleo magazine.
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