Hay Fever Or Seasonal Allergy Or Allergic Rhinitis!

When there is harvesting season around, many people suffer from seasonal allergies or hay fever. This seasonal allergy is named hay fever.

Symptoms of hay fever:
1. Sneezing.
2. Runny nose or stuffy nose.
3. Congestion.
4. Itching of nose, eyes or roof of the mouth.
5. Reddening and watering of eyes.
6. There may be a headache.
7. There may be tenderness and pain at the site of nasal sinuses.
Patients with a history of asthma may experience frequent episodes of it in this season.

Cause of hay fever:

• Hay fever or seasonal allergies occur in those 
• Where the immune system reacts more promptly to otherwise harmless substance make it more harmful. These are called allergens.
• Here in these individuals, the body releases certain chemicals to fight against allergens.

Commonest allergens:
Pollens of the seasonal plants and molds are the commonest allergens.

Diagnosis:
1. Allergy skin test:
It includes injecting an allergen under the skin of the arm or upper back and looking for any reaction around 20min.
If the person is allergic there will be the development of a raised bump at the site of injection.
2. Allergy blood test: test with a blood sample is done. This test measures the amount of allergy-causing antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin e (IgE) antibodies. 

Home remedies:

A person who is prone to an allergy or hay fever may adopt a few useful things to minimize the impact of the illness.
These are:

• Pollen count tends to be higher on humid and windy non-rainy days and during the early evening so avoid going outside.
• Keep windows and doors shut when the pollen count is high.
• Avoid mowing the lawn during susceptible months, choose low-pollen days for gardening, and keep away from grassy areas when pollen counts are high.
• Splash the eyes with cool water regularly, to sooth them and clear them of pollen.
• Shower and change your clothes after coming indoors, when pollen counts are high.
• Use wraparound glasses to protect the eyes from pollen.
• Cover the head to prevent pollen from collecting in the hair and then sprinkling down onto the eyes.
• Avoid indoor flowering plants.
• Keep all surfaces, floors, and carpets as dust free as possible. Choose a vacuum cleaner with a good filter.
• Use" mite-proof" bedding.
• Use a dehumidifier to prevent mold.
• Keep away from cigarette smoke, and quit, if you are a smoker.
• Avoid pets when they come indoors on a high pollen count day or smooth their fur down with a damp cloth.
• Apply vaseline on the edges of your nostrils, as it helps stop pollen from getting through.

Homeopathic treatment:
There are many homeopathic medicines that work well in hay fever. A few are as follows:

• Allium cepa: It may be given when nasal discharge irritates your nose or upper lip; your eyes are runny but the discharge from eyes is bland and non-irritating; you feel worse from warm rooms and better in the open air.
• Arsenicum album: Symptoms that call for this remedy include stuffiness and copious watery nasal discharge that burns the lips; a burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and/or throat (often right-sided); sneezing upon waking, often with a tickle in the nose; anxiety and restlessness; symptoms are better from warmth (hot drinks, warm baths). The patient has a great thirst for a small quantity of water small intervals.
• Euphrasia Officinalis: Symptoms for this remedy are centered in the eyes: profuse tearing that is acrid and burning in nature; bland, non-irritating nasal discharge. Respiratory symptoms (runny nose, cough) are worse on rising in the morning; symptoms are better in the open air and in the dark.
• Natrum muriaticum: Try this remedy when there is watery or egg-white-like nasal discharge; paroxysms of sneezing; chapped lips and cracks at the corners of the mouth; dark circles under the eyes; headaches.
• Sabadilla: Symptoms for this remedy include an itchy nose; violent, debilitating sneezing; runny eyes that become worse in cold outdoor air and from flower pollen; symptoms are better from warm drinks and warm rooms.
• Wyethia: This remedy may be given when there is extreme itching in the throat and palate that can extend to the ears; or a sore throat with hoarseness.
• Histaminium: This works wonderfully in prevention and treatment for allergic rhinitis or hay fever. It is also indicated in skin symptoms due to seasonal allergies.