When spring has started again and the sun is shining, you can enjoy the wonderful weather again. Unfortunately, this does not apply to everyone. If you suffer from hay fever, this can be an unpleasant period for you. Frequent sneezing fits, red eyes and lethargy are a few symptoms that this allergy can cause. Fortunately, there are many medications, natural remedies and tricks that can make this period easier for people with hay fever.
What is hay fever?
Hay fever is an allergy to pollen and pollen. The plants, flowers and trees are starting to bloom because spring has arrived again. The plants will then fertilize other plants during that period (February to September) by releasing pollen or pollen. These can reach other plants through other insects or wind pollination. People with hay fever mainly suffer from wind pollination, because these pollen float freely through the air.
The allergic reaction in hay fever is caused by certain proteins found on the pollen. As soon as these proteins come into contact with the mucous membranes of the body, such an allergic reaction will occur. The mucous membranes are located on the eyes, in the nose, in the throat or in the trachea. There are different types of pollen that float around during the flowering period. Which types of pollen are present from which plants depends on the period, because all plants do not bloom at the same time. Since most people with hay fever are allergic to multiple types of pollen, they will suffer from this for a fairly long period of time. Fortunately, you can prevent these allergic reactions by taking medications or natural remedies.
The number of pollen present in the air depends on more factors than just the time of year. The time of day also determines the concentration of pollen in the air. In the middle of the day and in the evening the amount is higher than in the morning. In addition, the weather conditions are also a determining factor. When the weather is dry and sunny, the amount of pollen is greater than in rainy weather.
The number of people who have hay fever is not clear. It is not registered anywhere. The symptoms of hay fever are seasonal, vary from year to year, consulting a doctor is not necessary and medicines for this can be purchased without a prescription.
Having hay fever can be very annoying. Some people suffer from it to a lesser extent than others. It can have such a negative impact on your quality of life that you prefer not to go outside during the flowering period. However, having hay fever cannot do any harm and is not dangerous to your health. When the pollen is no longer in the air, the complaints will disappear automatically.
Symptoms of hay fever
When plant pollen comes into contact with the mucous membrane of people with hay fever, allergic reactions occur. The intensity of these allergic reactions can vary greatly depending on how severe the allergy is. The following symptoms may occur in people with hay fever:
- Itching of the nose
- Sneezing fits
- Coughing fits
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Itch
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Drowsiness
- Concentration problems
- Sleep problems
- Headache
What can you do against hay fever?
Every year people take many pills and use other medications to suppress allergic reactions to pollen. For people with a mild form of hay fever, a pill is sufficient in most cases. Nasal spray and eye drops are remedies used by people who have a worse form of hay fever, for which taking a pill is not enough. These medications focus on suppressing the symptoms of hay fever and do not address the underlying cause.
In addition to pills and other remedies, injections are also available from your doctor. This is a so-called immunotherapy. This therapy does address the underlying cause. You are given allergens, which make the allergy less severe. Such therapy lasts about 3 to 4 years. After this period, your allergy will be (almost) completely gone and you can enjoy spring and summer again without any worries. However, this therapy is not suitable for everyone. It is possible that you are allergic to the allergens. In that case the therapy is unsuitable.
In addition to medication and injections, there are also a number of natural remedies that combat hay fever. Try some of the following natural products:
- Nettle: It has a positive influence on resistance. It reduces the production of substances that are produced when an allergic reaction occurs. You can cook nettle leaves and use them like spinach, in soup or in tea.
- Rinse the nose: Do this with warm water, a little salt and baking soda. It will clear the snot, pollen and pollen from your nose.
- Gargle with salt water: Doing this will soothe the sore throat.
- Eat honey: Honey significantly reduces the symptoms of hay fever.
- Eat lemon: It contains a lot of vitamin C and it can strengthen your resistance.
In addition to the above-mentioned natural remedies, there is another very striking remedy that requires courage. That’s like eating a woodlouse. Does this really work?
Eat a woodlouse against hay fever
If you have hay fever and you have already given a lot of medicines and natural remedies a chance, try a woodlouse. Most people who have tried it swear by this method. The days after they swallowed a woodlouse, they no longer suffered from hay fever symptoms. Woodlice carry a large amount of allergenic proteins that can counteract the effects of hay fever.
However, eating woodlice probably has no effect, because the gastrointestinal tract breaks down these proteins before they can enter the blood. Eating woodlice can have the same effect as immunotherapy, but immunotherapy always involves an injection through the skin or under the tongue. This means it immediately enters the bloodstream. To achieve the same effect with woodlice, the woodlice must first be chewed thoroughly and then soaked in the remains under the tongue. This would then cause the proteins from the woodlouse to enter the blood through the mucous membrane.
How can it be explained that people do not suffer from hay fever after eating a woodlouse? This can be explained by the placebo effect. Because people think it works, it works.
Preparing for the hay fever season
Hay fever can be very annoying. Sometimes medications do not work enough to prevent symptoms. There are a number of small things you can do to make the hay fever season a little more pleasant.
Wear sunglasses
It is a small and useful way to prevent red and itchy eyes. In addition to protecting the eyes from sunlight, sunglasses also ensure that pollen does not end up directly in your eyes. The glass of the sunglasses blocks most of the pollen in the air. This makes it easier for you to enjoy the warm weather.
Place an air purifier in the room.
An air purifier ensures that bacteria, viruses, fungi and micro-organisms, among other things, are removed from the air. This means that the room in which the air purifier is located is also purified of all pollen. You will then have little to no trouble with your hay fever in that room.
A wet washcloth
When you suffer from itchy eyes, it is very tempting to rub them. This is very unwise. Pollen around the eyes can end up in the eye and make things worse. Therefore, place a wet washcloth on the eyes to prevent itching and irritation. Eye drops also have a positive effect on itchy eyes.
Keep your bedroom clean
Keeping the bedroom pollen-free will give you a better night’s sleep. An air purifier is a good way to do this, but combing your hair in the bathroom also ensures that you leave less pollen on the pillow. Taking a shower before bed will remove any pollen on your body so you won’t carry it into the bedroom. Finally, it is advisable to vacuum your room regularly and wash the bedding regularly.
