Allergy Hero!

Hay fever is one of the more common allergies, in fact some experts claim that upwards of 20% of the population in the United States suffer from hay fever. While hay fever is by far the most common allergy, that doesn’t mean it is easily conquered.

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.