Hay fever
Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common form of an allergic reaction. The condition refers to irritation as well as inflammation of some of the internal areas of the nose. As the inflammation results in the generation of excessive amounts of mucus, sufferers of hay fever often report of suffering from a runny nose. Sufferers may also report problems like nasal congestion and post-nasal drip.
Hay fever is one of the most commonly reported medical conditions, in both adults as well as kids. As the symptoms of allergic rhinitis are similar to that of the common cold, sometimes diagnosis becomes difficult. However, unlike the cold which is caused by a virus, hay fever is caused by an allergic response to both indoor and outdoor airborne allergens, such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander.
Categories of hay fever or allergic rhinitis
There can be 2 categories of allergic rhinitis or hay fever
- Seasonal hay fever – This is the most commonly reported form of hay fever. This usually occurs during the spring, summer and early fall months as the pollen levels are high in these seasons.
- Perennial hay fever – If you experience hay fever all the year round, you are said to be suffering from perennial hay fever.
Hay fever symptoms
The symptoms of hay fever vary in individuals. While some people are only mildly affected with it and are able to carry out their normal activities, others may be severely affected with this condition. They may find it tough to sleep, concentrate and even attend school or work. Such people usually have hay fever symptoms every day during the pollen season. Some of the commonly reported symptoms of hay fever include stuffy, runny or itchy nose, throat or ear canals; sneezing; watery red eyes and ear congestion. Sufferers of hay fever may also report their inability to taste or smell food and suffer from a ‘nasal’ voice, face pain, sweats and headaches. In rare cases, sufferers may also experience shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing, especially with exercise or exertion. Symptoms of hay fever can worsen in people who already suffer from asthma.
Hay fever treatment
The best way to treat hay fever is to avoid pollen that causes allergic reactions in your body. Though it may not always be possible to stay indoors, you should avoid going out on days when pollen counts are particularly high.
If you have been suffering from hay fever, you can take medicines that belong to the class of drugs called anti-histamines. The medication is found to be an effective hay fever treatment as symptoms of pollen allergy occurs due to the release of a chemical called histamine in response to the allergen. You may buy anti-histamine medicines over the counter in case of mild allergy. However, if you suffer from a severe hay fever attack, then the doctor may prescribe you stronger prescription medications.
To avoid the attacks of hay fever or allergic rhinitis and to reduce dependency on medications that are usually associated with side effects you can take the advantage of a drug-free alternative therapy such as the Qu-Chi band. Making use of the Chinese knowledge of acupressure, the Qu-Chi band works directly on the acupressure points that relieve your symptoms of hay fever. The Qu-Chi band is found to be extremely effective in providing relief from hay fever symptoms as well as reducing the frequency of hay fever attacks. The band can be comfortably worn on the arm and there are no side effects associated with it. You can wear the Qu-Chi band throughout the year to prevent yourself from allergic rhinitis.
