Health and Fitness

Handling Hay fever And Other Reactions

Allergies are a common problem that affects almost every person at some point in their lives. The symptoms can include sneezing, rashes, itching, red eyes, coughing, runny nose, and more. The reactions that come from allergies can be severe and uncomfortable. You may want to avoid going to certain places, be limited in what you can do, and find it challenging to get a treatment that works.

Having allergens is something that affects about 60 million people in the US alone, and if you’re one of them, you know that it can do some serious damage to your life. So, how can you help yourself gain back control? First of all, you’ll need to identify what triggers your allergies and then figure out how to cope with them.

What is hay fever?

Hay fever, also known as Allergic Rhinitis, is the most common type of allergy you can have. It is when plant pollen from weeds, grasses, trees, and flowers enter your respiratory tract. Though you can get hay fever through direct contact with pollen as well. The symptoms of hay fever include itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and stuffy nose. If the symptoms persist, the eyes could become inflamed (red and itchy), the skin around the nose and mouth could become itchy, the skin on the inside of the lips could become red or swell.

Hay fever is a condition experienced by millions of people each year. The biggest symptom of hay fever is sneezing, which is the body’s attempt to remove the allergens. Interestingly it is not the pollen but the release of histamine by the immune system that produces the symptoms we associate with allergies.

How can you prevent hay fever?

Hay fever is most common during spring and summer and is more common in children and those living in rural areas. Most people with hay fever will have a response to a particular type of pollen, such as grass or tree pollen specifically. Knowing what kind of pollen you are allergic to and what season the plant is active can help you prepare for the onset of symptoms.

There are several preventative medicines that can reduce the body’s response to pollen as well as prevent pollen from making contact with our bodies. Medicines that reduce the body’s response are called antihistamines and are best taken before the onset of any symptoms, such as before leaving the house. You can find these medicines at a local store or order them from an online pharmacy (browse here for some options).

What other allergic reactions are there?

Hay fever is not the only seasonal allergy you can have. During the summer months, the humid and warm conditions can also lead to increased mold growth, which can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. If you suspect mold issues in your home that may be contributing to your allergies, it’s advisable to consider professional mold testing in Stamford, CT, or somewhere closer to you, to pinpoint and address any potential mold-related concerns for a more comfortable and allergy-free summer season.

Moreover, people allergic to insect bites and stings will experience more reactions during the summer when insect populations reach their peak. The common symptoms of insect allergies are blisters, hot and/or itchy patches of skin, redness, and swelling. These symptoms can be painful or irritating to cope with.

Antihistamines can work to prevent reactions as a result of insect activity. Using bug repellants to prevent bites is also a prudent measure. Should an infestation of insects happen in or around the home (e.g. anthill or wasp nest) it is best to remove the source with the help of professionals such as https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/local/nebraska/.

Lastly, pet dander can cause allergies and its symptoms very closely resemble those of hay fever. If you are diagnosed with pet allergies then you can reduce symptoms by keeping the home clean, bathing your pet, and keeping pet-free rooms in the home such as the bedroom.

Additional advice

Allergic reactions are a very common disorder that affects millions of people around the world. This can be a very frustrating disorder for a lot of people as it can become a major problem that lasts for several years, but there is a treatment that can be used to help control symptoms.

  • Hay fever and insect bite allergies are most prevalent during the spring and summer. However, depending on the weather these seasons can be extended into fall.
  • Antihistamines are the most common medicine for allergies but there are decongestants and steroid medicines that alleviate symptoms. Not all treatments are the same and it is important to know what type of medicine you are taking so that you will know how it will affect you.
  • Using a nasal spray, similar to those recommended on sites like SERP (https://serp.co/best/azelastine-nasal-sprays/), as well as those that contain the antihistamine fexofenadine can significantly reduce the amount of sneezing an individual with allergies will be subjected to. The spray, which is a combination of a nasal decongestant and antihistamine, offers a quick and easy alternative to prescription options that have been used to treat the condition for years.
  • A severe allergy is known as anaphylactic shock and can be life-threatening. This has to be treated with an epinephrine injection (if available) and by seeking immediate medical help. Epinephrine will not cure a severe allergic reaction on its own in most cases.

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