For all you readers who have just returned from a wildlife safari and are sneezing away to glory with fever and a headache adding to the misery, we dedicate this article to you! In this article, you will find all that you need to know about hay fever (the condition responsible for your misery). If you are wondering how you ended up with hay fever, you will find the answers in the ‘causes’ section. More so, if you are simply curious to know what you are suffering from, the ‘symptoms’ section should do the confirming. And for getting that relief which seems like an elixir of life given your current state, the section on ‘home remedies for hay fever’ will be your beacon.

Hay fever is basically an allergic reaction caused on exposure to pollen. This however does not mean that if you go jogging in a park with lot of plants in it, you will be rewarded with hay fever because there was pollen in the park! Some kind of pollen, very fine ones, commonly called airborne pollen is the culprits. Plants which are pollinated by the wind release this type of pollen. To help you decide if your neighbourhood jogging track is actually a hay fever harbouring area or not, we list some plants whose pollen will cause hay fever. Trees such as birch (betula), hazel (Corylus), alder (Alnus), willow (salyx), grass such as ryegrass, timothy and weeds such as ragweed, mugwort and fat hen are common producers of air borne pollen.

Plants pollinate usually during the spring time up to the beginning of summer. So at this time, the air will be heavily laden with pollen grains invisible to the eyes are they are very fine particles. Days when it is really hot and dry will have higher content of pollen in the air. Humid days will have most of the pollen washed down to ground. When the pollen is inhaled by a person who has a weak immune system, it induces the production of antibodies. These antibodies attach to the mast cells in the human body and when exposed to pollen, an allergic reaction is set off resulting in swelling, itching, mucus production, rashes and other symptoms of hay fever.

Common symptoms of hay fever include excessive coughing, sneezing, headache, runny nose, itching or eyes, nose, skin, mouth, throat and any area which is exposed to the allergy causing agent, fever, irritability, sore throat, impaired smell and wheezing. Some people may also experience fatigue, flushing and cross reactivity towards certain fruits. Nasal congestion or stuffy nose is another common symptom. The occurrence of certain symptoms depends on the type of allergen that the person has been exposed to. Severity of the symptoms may also vary from one person to another. Dietary habits may also aggravate the symptoms. Hay fever can be treated with home remedies for hay fever.

Home Remedies for hay fever

Staying indoors at a time when the pollen content in the atmosphere is at an all time high, during mornings and late evenings will save you from a likely attack of hay fever. Wear goggles and scarves when you are out walking or cycling. As far as possible, if you are already suffering from asthma, remain confined to closed vehicles and stay away from large fields and parks. Wash your face and hands after a stint out doors to prevent the pollen from entering the nose.

One of the most effective home remedies for hay fever is the family of drugs known as anti histamines. Though there are over the counter drugs like cetrizine and short anti histamines, it is advisable to consult a physician. A physician would be able to assess the severity of the condition. Some cases call for tests to be conducted to determine the specific allergen causing the problem. Once this is known, drugs can be administered accordingly.