Do you suffer from hay fever during allergy season? Then let us guide you!

Hay fever is common — it affects 1 in 5 people in Australia. Despite its name, it’s not caused by hay and doesn’t cause a fever.

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like symptoms. These may include a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn’t caused by a virus. Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to a harmless outdoor or indoor substance the body identifies as harmful (allergen).

For some people, exposure to these allergens can trigger an immune response (your body’s natural defence system), which leads to swelling and inflammation in the inner lining of the nose (known as rhinitis).

Common allergens that can trigger hay fever symptoms include pollen and dust mites. Tiny flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, and other animals with fur or feathers (pet dander) also can be allergens.

Besides making you miserable, hay fever can affect how well you perform at work or school and can generally interfere with your life. But you don’t have to put up with annoying symptoms. You can learn to avoid triggers and find the right treatment! 

What are the symptoms of hay fever?

Common symptoms of hay fever include:

• an itchy, runny or blocked nose
• itchy or watery eyes
• frequent sneezing
• needing to breathe from your mouth
• frequently needing to clear your throat
• feeling like you have a cold that won’t go away
• snoring during sleep

Hay fever triggers

Your hay fever signs and symptoms may occur year-round or may start or worsen at a particular time of year (seasonal).

Hay fever triggers include:

• Tree pollen, which is common in early spring
• Grass pollen, which is common in late spring and summer
• Ragweed pollen, which is common in fall
• Dust mites and cockroach droppings, which are present year-round
• Dander from pets, which can be bothersome year-round but might cause worse symptoms in winter, when houses are closed up
• Spores from indoor and outdoor fungi and molds, which can be both seasonal and year-round

When to see a doctor

See your health care provider if:

• You can’t find relief from your hay fever symptoms
• Allergy medications don’t provide relief or cause annoying side effects
• You have another condition that can worsen hay fever symptoms, such as nasal polyps, asthma or frequent sinus infections

Many people — especially children — get used to hay fever symptoms, so they might not seek treatment until the symptoms become severe. But getting the right treatment might offer relief.

There’s currently no cure for hay fever. But most people can relieve symptoms with treatment, at least to a certain extent.

The most effective way to control hay fever would be to avoid exposure to pollen. However, it’s very difficult to avoid pollen, particularly during the summer months.

Treatment options for hay fever include:

• antihistamines – which help to prevent an allergic reaction
• corticosteroids (steroids) – which help to reduce inflammation and swelling

There are also many natural options that can be extremely helpful. Prevention is the best medicine, even when it comes to hay fever and we have plenty of options available to prepare you for allergy season. 

Prevention

Millenium Pharmaceuticals Vitamin C with Hesperidin Complex 200g

Blackmores Horseradish Garlic + C 90T

Herbs of Gold Quercetin Complex 60 Caps

Treatment

Herbs of Gold Hayfever & Sinus Ease 60T

PPC HERBS Sinus-Plex Herbal Remedy 200ml

Fusion Sinusitis 60VCs

Relief

Planet Remedy Hayfever Inhaler 1ml

Oil Garden Blend Hay Fever Ease 25ml

Schuessler Tissue Salts Comb H Hayfever 125T

References

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hay-fever

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20373039

https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/immune-system/hay-fever