How to Treat Hay Fever Fast This Season

Hay fever is an allergy condition that happens as a result of a reaction to pollen and dust. It leads to symptoms such as watery eyes, itching, and sneezing. The condition is especially common during the months of March to September, the period when the weather is mostly warm, windy, and humid. It’s during this time that the pollen count is at its highest. Keep reading to find out how to treat hay fever in Glenrothes, Fife.

Symptoms of hay fever

Below are some of the symptoms associated with hay fever.

• Loss of smell
• Headache
• Feeling tired
• Itchy, red, or watery eyes
• Earache
• Pain around the temples and forehead
• Itchy throat, nose, and ears
• A blocked or runny nose

If you are asthmatic, you might also:

• Cough and wheeze
• Have chest tightening
• Experience shortness of breath

Hay fever can go for up to weeks or even months, unlike a cold that disappears within a week or two.

Hay fever in infants and children

Hay fever cases are especially common in children. However, the condition rarely happens before 3 years of age. Nevertheless, it’s important to manage allergy symptoms, especially in babies and children. Serious hay fever symptoms can lead to chronic health complications such as asthma, sinusitis, and ear infections.

Learn more about hay fever season in our previous blog post here:

Hay Fever Season

How do you treat hay fever in Glenrothes, Fife naturally?

It’s not possible to successfully prevent or treat hay fever today. However, there are a number of ways you can minimise your symptoms when the pollen count is at its highest.

Can you prevent hay fever?

Avoiding pollen completely is not possible, especially when it’s at its peak. You can, however, reduce your symptoms by keeping away from your allergy triggers.

You can try steps such as applying petroleum gel inside your lower nostrils to block pollen from entering your nasal passages.

Staying indoors to avoid pollen and treat hay fever in Glenrothes, Fife

It’s important to avoid going outside as much as possible during the period when the pollen count is at its peak. Use the following tips to reduce exposure to pollen:

• Keep doors and windows closed.
• Keep fresh flowers away from your house.
• Vacuum your house on a regular basis.
• Do not dry clothes outside if possible. This will prevent pollen from entering your house.
• Try to damp dust in your house on a regular basis. Wet cloths are effective in collecting dust and stopping the spread of pollen.
• Wash your pet regularly to remove any pollen from their fur before they enter the house.
• Keep away from smoking and stop anyone from smoking in your house. Smoking or passive smoking will irritate your nose, throat, eyes, and airways. This will end up worsening your symptoms.

How to prevent pollen while you are outdoors

If you have to go outside for whatever reason, below are a few tips on how you can reduce exposure to pollen:

• Avoid camping, playing in the grass, or cutting grass, especially during the morning, evening, and night, when the pollen count is highest.
• Get wrap-around sunglasses to stop pollen from accessing your eyes.
• When you arrive home after being outside, ensure you change your clothes and take a shower to remove the pollen and dust that you’ve picked up.
• Keep car windows closed and install a pollen filter inside your car if need be.

How do you effectively treat hay fever in Glenrothes, Fife?

Hay fever may not be curable at the moment, but there are treatment options that effectively minimise your symptoms.

The best way to keep hay fever away is by avoiding exposure to pollen and dust. However, this is easier said than done, especially if you spend a lot of time outside during summer.

Over-the-counter medicines are available for controlling hay fever. If your symptoms worsen, your pharmacist may recommend prescription medicine.

When should I visit a pharmacist to treat hay fever in Glenrothes, Fife

Symptoms that come with Hay fever normally shouldn’t be a cause for worry when they begin to show. Allergy testing is also not necessary when diagnosing hay fever.

However, you should consult with your pharmacist if you notice any of the following:

• Symptoms that last for more than a week and become unbearable.
• OTC allergy medicines aren’t effective.
• You have another health condition, like asthma, that’s making hay fever symptoms worse.
• You experience hay fever all year round.
• Serious side effects as a result of allergy medicines
• You have severe symptoms.

Drop by and visit us today for advice and treatment. We also offer treatment for a range of minor ailments in store.

Treat Hay Fever

 

This blog post was written on behalf of Cadham Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.