Hay fever is caused by the pollen of certain seasonal plants as well as other airborne chemicals. The pollen or chemicals when encountered by someone who suffers from this allergy invoke a number of different symptoms, the most common of which are: sneezing, itching eyes, and a runny nose. Different people seem to suffer from this allergy at different levels; while one person may have a mild hay fever allergy, another may have a severe hay fever allergy.

A further list of possible symptoms from hay fever:

Coughing
Headache
Itching throat, eyes, nose, mouth, or skin
Wheezing
Sore Throat
Runny Nose
Conjunctivitis
Nasal Congestion
Bloody Nose
Watery Eyes
General Fatigue
Plugged Ear Canal
Fever
Impaired Sense of Smell
Hot and Cold Flashes
Sneezing

The sources of the pollen that causes hay fever are generally certain types of trees, grasses, and weeds. The most common organic causes of hay fever are: ragweed, ryegrass, and birch. Roughly 90% of hay fever sufferers exhibit negative symptoms when exposed to grass pollens.

While the best way for a hay fever sufferer to avoid an allergic reaction is to limit their exposure to the pollen in question, that may not always be possible. Other steps that can be taken are staying indoors when pollen levels are at their greatest (morning and evening), use a filter/dust mask when outdoors during high pollen times, the wearing of sunglasses can limit pollen exposure to the eyes, and regular washing of the hands and face.

Unfortunately, the only treatment available is the practice of combating the symptoms of hay fever, so it is best to avoid situations that would expose the allergy sufferer to the pollen that causes the symptoms.

Okay, so you roll out of bed one morning, open your eyes and then it hits you- watery, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing. Sure, it could be a cold, but guess what? You might also be experiencing hay fever. And not just any hay fever, but fall hay fever.

But then you wonder, “If it’s hay fever, shouldn’t my hay fever allergies occur in the spring?”

Hay Fever Allergies Are Seasonal Allergies, And Fall Is As Good A Season As Any To Get Them Contrary to the belief of many people who experience hay fever allergies for the first time, hay fever allergies occur in all but the winter months. Also contrary to what many believe, you can develop hay fever allergies (known clinically as allergic rhinitis) at any time during you life. Sorry, but once you’ve got hay fever, you’re likely to have it for a very long time.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), 35 million people in the United States suffer from hay fever, so at least you’ll be sharing your misery, but that’s not going to do anything for your allergy symptoms. What can you do to find fall hay fever allergy relief?

The good news is that you don’t have to suffer. At least not as much as you would if you weren’t armed with good, solid information. For the worst hay fever allergies, you may want to see your doctor, and there are certain hay fever allergy medications that can help reduce your allergy symptoms, but before starting a full-fledged fall hay fever allergy treatment, you may want to take these steps.

4 Fall Hay Fever Allergy Tips:

• Tip 1: Keep track of the pollen count in your area. You’ll know when allergic pollens are at their highest and be able to prepare for them. The AAAAI website provides this information. Use it.
• Tip 2: Use air conditioning, if possible. Yes, the weather may be getting cooler, but the air conditioner in your home or car will filter out allergens from the air, especially if it’s one equipped with a HEPA air filter.
• Tip 3: If symptoms are really bad, and you don’t want to use medications, you might try a charcoal mask- not necessarily where others will see you and think you’re preparing for a mustard gas attack, but in your garden or patio.
• Tip 4: Stay indoors if you must. Sad, but true- most of the allergens you encounter will be outside and you can avoid them by staying inside. You may not want to put your life on hold, but you may also want to control how many outdoor allergens you’re exposed to.

Congratulations! The first steps to fall hay fever allergy relief! Now take a deep breath, put on a stiff upper lip and take these steps that can reduce your allergy symptoms. After all, hay fever allergies are nothing to sneeze at!

Andrew Martin is a science writer for the hay fever section of Allergychannel.net, a physician-monitored , expert source of helpful allergy information since 1999.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_J_Martin
http://EzineArticles.com/?Fall-Hay-Fever-Allergies—4-Quick-Tips-For-Seasonal-Allergy-Relief&id=732661