Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like symptoms including stuffy nose, itchy eyes and congestion. The condition is caused by an allergic response to allergens like pollen, dust mites or pet dander.
Battling Hay Fever
“Infections must be medically treated, no question,” Dr. Brian Rotskoff told the Sacramento Bee. However, there’s also a lot we can do to bring relief when nasal congestion is caused by the environment.”
“You have to know your nose,” he says, “learning the aggravators to avoid, or how to stay ahead of them when avoidance is impossible, really helps. When you know your allergic triggers you’re also better equipped to identify the difference between environmental causes and infection.”
Know the triggers and treatments
According to the Mayo Clinic, tree pollen, grass pollen, ragweed and spores from fungi and mold are the most common triggers.
“Don’t give your nasal congestion a free pass,” urges Dr. Rotskoff. “The list of congestion triggers is extensive and breathing can be impaired any time of the year. You don’t have to muddle through with the assumption that your allergies will pass with the seasons.”
It would be best to avoid the triggers that cause hay fever, but unless allergy sufferers plan to stay indoors year around, medications are the best options. Antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids and decongestants can help alleviate the symptoms. Nasal sprays like Flonase, over-the-counter allergy medications and prescription drugs are often the best options.
Americans Suffereing from Hay Fever
In 2010, the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that 7.6 percent of American adults suffered from hay fever, just one of many types of allergies. That’s close to 18 million adults. Unfortunately, we spend millions on allergy medications that simply mask the symptoms,” William Song of Habit Project said. “It’s time to offer a more effective alternative to drugs.”
