Every summer, thousands of people start suffering from hayfever. While there are many over-the-counter medications available, there are also a number of home remedies that can help such as a hay fever allergy jab.
Whatever you decide, hayfever doesn’t have to stop you going out and enjoying the nice weather. Here, then, are 10 home hayfever remedies that you might consider.
- Tablets and nasal sprays
If you consider this route, you might look into one of two drugs, either cetirizine or loratadine, which are antihistamines. Usually, one tablet per day is enough to stop mild hay fever symptoms, but for those that get severe symptoms, there are other hayfever treatment.
- Hay fever jab
If you get severe symptoms during hay fever season, then you may need a hay fever jab to help stop the reaction. These jabs are effective for around 3-6 months and will help patients through the worst of the hay fever season. You can get a hay fever jab in London , Tilbury and Romford, clinics which are easily accessible whichever county you are in.
- Changing eating habits
There is evidence that if you change your eating habits, then you can reduce the symptoms of hay fever. Omega fatty acids found in oily fish, flax seeds and other foods can support your immune system and have anti-inflammatory effects.
Vitamin D is also good for your immune system and is found in eggs, some vegetables and soya milk. Another helpful vitamin is vitamin C. This has natural antihistamine properties and is also present in many foods such as citrus fruits. You can get the benefits from eating the fruit or having it as a tea.
- Honey
Honey has long been thought to help with hay fever symptoms because it could help make you less sensitive to pollen. To get the best effect, it is advised to get honey from local sources, as this will contain the pollen that you are most exposed to during the day.
- Herbal teas
Herbal teas such as chamomile and ginger are good at relieving allergy symptoms. You can also try green tea, as this contains natural antihistamines and will detox your body. If you have symptoms, peppermint tea can relieve congestion.
- Washing your clothes
Regularly washing your clothes can remove the pollen from them and reduce their ability to cause a reaction. However, don’t then dry your clothes outdoors or the pollen will stick back to the clothes. It is suggested that during the high pollen months, you should dry your clothes inside.
- Check the weather and avoid certain times of day
Although this might sound restrictive, there are times when the pollen is at its highest. By avoiding these times in the early morning and late in the evening, you can limit your exposure to the pollen. Many weather reports now also show how high the pollen will be, so you can be extra careful on those days.
- Coconut oil
Coconut oil has a number of properties and uses, but it can also help you to avoid pollen. If used as a balm and applied under the nose, it can help trap pollen before it enters your nostrils. If you regularly wipe it off and reapply, you may be able to stop the worst of the pollen from causing a reaction.
- Protect contact lenses
If you wear contact lenses, then you may already know that pollen can stick to them and irritate your eyes during the day. To help protect your eyes, think about buying some wrap-around sunglasses to stop the pollen from entering your eyes. Another option is to wear prescription glasses during the worst of the hay fever season.
- Visit the seaside
Although this might sound a little extreme, it can be a good idea if you are planning on taking a holiday in the summer. The coast usually has lower pollen levels because the sea breeze blows the pollen away. The moisture from the sea also prevents the pollen from travelling too far. If you are thinking of going away, then plan to visit somewhere near the coast.
Conclusion
Hay fever is something that can really ruin a lovely summer for those that get severe symptoms. Even though not every summer is the same, you may still find times when your hay fever is worse than others. Changes in plants that release pollen can also spark a reaction, depending on which ones you are allergic to.
These above remedies could help you control your hay fever symptoms, and may even give you total allergy relief, especially if used in conjunction with other natural remedies.
