What to do about hay fever and allergies.

Hay Fever (allergies)

Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common condition that affects many people worldwide. As a pharmacist, I often see patients seeking relief from the symptoms of hay fever, such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion. In this blog post, I will explain what hay fever is, its causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Causes of Hay Fever

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an allergic reaction that occurs when your immune system overreacts to allergens in the air, such as ragweed, pollen, dust mites, animal dander, or mold. When you come into contact with an allergen, your immune system releases histamine and other chemicals that cause inflammation in your nasal passages, eyes, and throat.

Hay fever is a seasonal condition that usually occurs in the spring and summer months when plants are in bloom and pollen is in the air. However, some people may experience allergies / hay fever symptoms all year round due to exposure to indoor allergens.

Symptoms of Hay Fever

The symptoms of hay fever can vary from person to person, but they typically include:

• Sneezing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Scratchy or sore throat
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Irritability

Treatment for hay fever

The treatment for hay fever depends on the severity of your symptoms and the allergens that trigger them. Some treatment options that may help relieve hay fever symptoms include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids and immunotherapy

Ways to prevent hay fever / allergies

In addition to medications, there are some things you can do to reduce your exposure to allergens and relieve hay fever symptoms, such as:

• Keeping windows closed and using air conditioning
• Using a HEPA filter to clean the air in your home
• Washing your hands and face frequently to remove allergens
• Avoiding outdoor activities when pollen counts are high
• Wearing a mask to reduce exposure to allergens