What is the Most Effective Way to Treat Hay Fever?

Hay fever is an allergy condition that occurs when you react to pollen and dust. It causes symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, and itchiness. The condition is more prevalent in the months between March and September, the time in which the weather is mostly warm, humid, and windy. During these months is when the pollen count is at its peak. Keep reading to learn how to treat hay fever in Longfield, Dartford.

Symptoms of hay fever

• Feeling tired
• Loss of smell
• Headache
• Earache
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• A blocked or runny nose
• Pain around your forehead and temples
• Itchy nose, throat, and ears

If you suffer from asthma, you may also:

• Have chest tightening
• Cough and wheeze
• Develop shortness of breath

Compared to a cold that normally goes away after a week or two, hay fever can last for up to weeks or even months.

Symptoms of hay fever in infants and children

It’s very common for children to get hay fever. However, they rarely develop it before the age of 3. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to get rid of allergy symptoms; more so in babies and children. Severe hay fever symptoms can result in chronic health problems such as sinusitis, asthma and ear infections.

How do you treat hay fever in Longfield, Dartford naturally?

Currently, it’s not possible to completely prevent or treat hay fever. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your symptoms when the pollen count is at its peak.

– Is hay fever preventable?

It’s hard to avoid pollen entirely. You can, nevertheless, minimise your symptoms by not exposing yourself to your allergy triggers as often.

You can try things like applying a petroleum gel inside your lower nostrils to prevent pollen entry into your nasal passages.

– Staying indoors to prevent pollen and treat hay fever in Longfield, Dartford

When the pollen count is at its peak, it’s best to stay indoors. Follow the below tips to minimise exposure to pollen.

• Close your house’s doors and windows.
• Avoid keeping flowers that are fresh inside your house.
• Vacuum your house frequently.
• Avoid drying clothes outside at all costs. This will prevent pollen from gaining access into your home.
• Ensure that you damp dust in your house regularly. Wet cloths work well in collecting dust and preventing pollen from spreading.
• Ensure that you regularly wash your pet to get rid of any pollen in its fur when it enters your house.
• Avoid smoking or allowing anyone to smoke in your house. Smoking or breathing in another person’s smoke will irritate your throat, nose, airways and eyes. This will cause your symptoms to worsen.

– How do you avoid pollen while you are outside?

Below are some tips on how you can reduce exposure if you must go outside or during your travels.

• Do not camp, play in grass or cut grass – especially in the morning, during evenings and at night, when the pollen count is high.
• Wear wrap-around sunglasses to prevent pollen from getting in your eyes.
• Once you get home after being outdoors, ensure that you change your clothes and take a shower to get rid of pollen and dust from your body.
• Close your car windows and, if possible, install a pollen filter inside your car.

– How do you effectively treat hay fever in Longfield, Dartford? 

Even though hay fever isn’t curable at the moment, you can simply minimise your symptoms with treatment.

Always avoid exposing yourself to pollen to prevent hay fever. In spite of this, it can be difficult to avoid pollen; more so if you go outside most of the time during summer.

You can often use over-the-counter medicines to control hay fever. If your symptoms get worse, your pharmacist may advise you to consult with your GP to confirm if you need prescription medicine.

When should I visit a pharmacist for hay fever?

Hay fever symptoms do not normally become a thing to worry about when they start to show. Allergy testing is not also required to diagnose hay fever.

However, you should visit your pharmacist if any of the below occur:

• You have symptoms that have lasted for more than a week and are becoming bothersome.
• OTC allergy medicines are not working for you.
• You are suffering from another condition, such as asthma, that’s worsening your hay fever symptoms.
• You get hay fever throughout the year.
• The allergy medicines you’re taking cause worrisome side effects.
• You have severe symptoms.

Visit Hodgson Pharmacy today to learn more on how to avoid hay fever and get treatment.

This blog post was written on behalf of Hodgson Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor