Suffering from seasonal hay fever is never fun. Sometimes, it even feels like no matter what you do or what preventative steps you take. You still experience those uncomfortable symptoms when the season comes around. If this sounds like you, know that you’re not alone. But we’re here to help! To help you get through the upcoming spring, here are 10 top tips to prepare you for hay fever season.
1. Keep an eye out for the pollen forecast
Did you know that there are websites dedicated to monitoring the pollen levels in your area? Pollen levels are typically either low, moderate, or high, so if you’re someone whose hay fever is triggered by high pollen levels, then monitoring the pollen forecast in your area can really help. On days with high pollen counts, you can stay indoors to reduce your exposure to your hay fever trigger, it is also a good idea to have antihistamines in the cupboard at all times to be prepared for such occasions, you don’t even need to go to the pharmacy, you can simply order them from Express Pharmacy online.
2. Shower after coming in from outside
During hay fever season, pollen usually sticks to your hair, skin, and clothes whenever you go outdoors. To reduce your chances of getting hay fever, it is advisable to shower immediately when you come in from outside. You should also change your clothes and make sure to wash the old ones before wearing them again. Taking these steps can remove the majority of pollen that got stuck to you while you were out, which means your hay fever symptoms won’t be irritated.
3. Cleanse your nose regularly
The pollen or allergens you breathe in through your nose during hay fever season is often responsible for triggering your fever symptoms. One way you can prepare yourself is by regularly cleaning your nose with a preservative-free saline solution. This works by washing the irritants away from your nose. It is important though to keep in mind that if your symptoms are more severe, you should probably visit your doctor or a pharmacist.
4. Wear a mask
As extreme as this sounds, wearing a mask is actually a very effective way to prevent or reduce the chances of you experiencing bad hay fever symptoms. You don’t have to wear one all the time, but if you do go outside or have to perform some outdoor activities that can trigger your symptoms like gardening or mowing the lawn, then it could do you a world of good to put on a light mask while you complete your chores.
5. Allergy-proof your home
On high pollen days especially, you can take some steps to allergy-proof your home by reducing the amount of air from outside that gets in. You can achieve this by closing your windows and your doors. You can also remove any throw pillows or rugs, as these can act as easy objects for pollen to attach to. If you want to take it a step further, you can purchase an air purifier to use during hay fever season. A good air purifier is able to purify your air of dust, dander, and even pollen.
6. Reduce your alcohol intake
If you’re a regular alcohol drinker, you might want to watch out for your alcohol intake during the fever season. This is because wine, beer, and alcohol in general are known for containing histamine. This chemical can worsen your hay fever symptoms because it naturally sets off allergic reactions to pollen. Instead, it is advised that you opt for calming teas, like fruit teas and lemon and ginger teas.
7. Reduce your stress
Did you know that high levels of stress can make the body more sensitive to illness? This means that lower levels of pollen that your body would ordinarily have been able to fight off can trigger serious symptoms when you’re experiencing high levels of stress. This is why relaxation is important during fever season. Try to eliminate any source of serious stress from your life, and find better ways to relax, like taking a long, soothing bath, or reading a good book.
8. Avoid other irritants
There are other air pollutants known for being able to trigger hay fever symptoms. They include smoke, traffic fumes, paint, and insecticides, to name a few. You should avoid coming in contact with any of these irritants as much as you can, so as not to cause symptoms to flare up.
9. Inspect your car’s air conditioner
Most people don’t know that their car air conditioners can actually trigger their hay fever symptoms. To prevent this from happening, you should run your car’s air conditioner for 10 to 15 minutes with the air vents pointed away from your face. Doing this removes any stray spores or pollen from your car’s air system.
10. Include honey in your diet
Including local honey in your diet to combat hay fever is a tradition almost as old as time. Doing this can help your body build up a natural defense against pollen, and strengthen your immune system in the process.
Author’s Bio
Samantha Pierrie is a freelance writer who is passionate about health. She loves sharing advice and tips around the subject online as she wants to see people live healthy lives.
