Hay fever symptoms – beat them!
So it’s time of the year when the eyes start burning, the nose itching and generally life becomes more miserable.
Hay fever symptom time!
Luckily I am not a sufferer but I am aware of the horrible day-in-day-out nature of this condition.
So today I’ll go over some of the pharmaceutical products available to treat it and some of the strategies you can use to make your life more pleasant over the next few months.
Strategies to beat the Hay fever symptoms
Firstly, regularly check the pollen forecast regularly. And plan ahead.
Bear in mind pollen is highest at sunrise and sunset. So that’s the time your hay fever symptoms are likely to be at their worst.
Do you need to be out and about at those times?
Keep windows shut in your home at those specific times. If this is possible off course.
Some air conditions in cars can filter the air, so maybe having the air con will reduce your hay fever symptoms.
Try and shower after coming back from outdoors/work, and quickly changing your clothing. This helps removes any pollen particles clinging on to your clothes or yourself.
The star player among hay fever treatments are called the “anti-histamines”.
Pollen triggers a chemical to be released all across your body called histamine.
This is what causes the burning/itching. So anti-histamines block the body’s response to this chemical.
Here is a myth that I want to nail down straight away. Some anti-histamines are proven to be better than others.
Rubbish!
Some may have worked better for you, but no anti-histamine has been proven to be better than another one in trials.
The only thing that differentiates them is that some, like Piriton, are drowsier than others.
Having said that, it’s probably wise to “rotate” anti-histamines after a while. Meaning not to try the same one for too long.
I have seen one type of anti-histamine stop working for people after long-term use.
Till next time