subject: Understanding Hay Fever--triggers, Symptoms, And Solutions For Hay Fever [print this page] Hay fever is an often debilitating condition that causes millions of people to loose time from work and school. Knowing what it is, whether you have it, and how to manage it can mean the difference between living your life, and having a life that you really enjoy.
Here are the most common triggers, the various ways the condition may display, and suggestion for effectively managing the problem.
Causes---This is a condition that occurs in the fall of the year, and is mainly triggered by airborne weed pollen. Many of the most prolific pollen producing plants grow in the summer and by fall are sending grains of pollen airborne to the tune of over one million per plant.
Probably the most well known and offensive pollen for fall allergies is ragweed even though it is joined by others such as curly dock, lambs quarters, pigweed, plantain, sheep sorrel and sagebrush. Because the pollen is so light weight, it can be easily carried indoors through open windows and doors.
It also catches a ride indoors by attaching to hair, clothing, pets, and packages. It is easily available for inhalation as you move about and cause it to go into the air. Once enough has gathered indoors, an allergy attack is almost inevitable.
Symptoms---The usual symptoms include coughing, sneezing, congestion, and post nasal drip caused by the excess mucous the body produces. And whereas these are also symptoms that a cold presents, cold symptoms usually run their course and are gone in 5 to 7 days.
Because hay fever is triggered by airborne pollen, symptoms can persist for as long as the allergen is able to enter the body.
Solutions---The good news is that there are a variety of ways to effectively maneuver through the fall allergy season, and here are a few. Check the local pollen count daily and schedule outdoor activities for days when the pollen count is low.
If you must be out on days when the count is predicted to be high, go before 10 in the morning and after 4 in the evening to minimize exposure.
Ask the drugstore pharmacist about over the counter medications. If your symptoms are more serious an allergist can prescribe stronger medication that is more likely to help. Explore your options carefully and you may find that some combination of each type of medication (prescription and OTC) will work while still allowing you to be alert and energized.
And probably the least invasive way to reduce hay fever triggers indoors is to filter the air with a medical grade HEPA (high efficiency particle arresting) air purifier specifically designed to eliminate the allergy triggering pollen so the need to treat the symptoms is virtually eliminated when indoors. HEPA filtration creates a clean space that will literally allow you to catch your breath.
