Here are the seven most effective cures for hayfever to help you make those Spring and Summer months more bearable.
1. Avoidance
One of the simplest ways to beat hayfever is to avoid allergens. Try to stay indoors in the late afternoon or on windy days as this is when the pollen count is highest. Wear sunglasses as much as possible and smear a little vaseline under your nose to trap the pollen. Shower after being outdoors, and always check a pollen calender.
2. Look After Your General Health
In order to reduce hayfever symptoms it is important that you first look after your general health and wellbeing. Lack of sleep and high stress levels can have a big impact on how severe your hayfever symptoms are. Therefore, try to wind down a little earlier in the evening and get more shut-eye. You should also cut down on your alcohol intake, eat well, and exercise more.
3. Over The Counter Allergy Medication
There are many different over the counter hayfever medications you can try including Antihistamines. Antihistomines are small tablets that work by blocking the checmical your body releases when under attack from hayfever. Other over the counter medications include, eye drops, nasal spray, and in severe cases your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid tablets.
4. Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays are another popular over the counter allergy medication that you can try. As the name suggests a nasal spray is a spray that is applied directly up your nose. It works as a decongestant that helps open up your nasal passageways by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels in your nose. This makes breathing for hayfever sufferers much easier.
5. Natural Remedies
If you simply can’t avoid the pollen, and do not want to use over the counter medication then there are many different natural remedies you can try including items that you may already have in your kitchen cupboards. You can try increasing your intake of honey, hot peppers as a natural decongestant, garlic, onions and any foods or drink that is rich in vitamin C.
6. Air Filters
A hepa air filter works by trapping particles of pollen so they aren’t floating around your house and finding their way in to your system. These are great for using indoors, however, they won’t help you much when you are out and about.
7. Acupuncture
Recent research has found that acupuncture can greatly reduce many of the unpleasant symptoms of hayfever such as itchy eyes and a runny nose. This ancient Chinese remedy consists of using tiny needles to pin point acupoints around your body. In order for acupuncture to be effective you may need several sessions in the months before your suffering usually starts, and maybe even on-going treatment.