Hay fever makes its presence felt every spring and summer, and annually many people suffer from its effects.
The main regions of the body affected are areas such as the sinuses in particular, the eyes, the nose and the throat.
Symptoms such as itching, the development of a redness in affected area, the presence of swelling and the production of a lot of mucus are some of the common ones caused by hay fever .
Some of the symptoms inherent during the onset of hay fever such as the presence of puffy watery eyes, the sneezing from an itchy and runny nose, and physical signs such as plugged sinuses resemble the symptoms of a head cold, however, they are very persistent and last much longer than those symptoms that come on with the common cold .
There is a tendency of an itch developing in the roof of the mouth and the throat also becomes sore and irritated.
There are also other types of allergies , disorders like asthma and allergic eczema which may come in combination with hay fever.
Many people have now begun to search for safer and more natural alternatives to some of the commonly used drugs, this is because of many reports of serious side effects by users.
These medications have long term negative effects on the immune system, whether they are swallowed, inhaled or rubbed into the skin, they really do not offer a cure, and a dependency on the drug ,whether psychological or physical becomes a very big problem.
Early every spring many pollinating trees and flowers release billions of pollen grains into the air, these can irritate the mucous membranes, while in the summer, the irritants and problems are caused by freshly cut grasses and weeds.
If the allergic symptoms persist way into the late fall, allergens from tree mold spores can often be the cause, although allergies to other substances should not be ruled out, these includes common allergens like feathers and animal hair, and dust in the air.
Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to an allergen or a particular substance in the environment .
The challenges to the immune system include the rise and increased toxins in our food, in our air and water.
Eating a diet of refined foods, the consumption of too many types of processed and packaged foods and factors like stress increase the chances and cause reactions as with any other allergic reaction.
Supplements and herbs for hay fever
Try substituting quercetin in the place of over the counter medications, this substance is a flavonoid that inhibits histamine release without any side effect, this is in direct contrasts to many medications that simply block the effect of histamine during an allergic reaction.
The herb nettle is effective against sneezing, the allergic manifestation of itching, and nasal passages that become swollen.
Immune system supporting substances like vitamin A and vitamin C are extremely useful. Besides it*s anti-inflammatory activity vitamin C, is also the main antioxidant in the cells of the respiratory passages, and has active antihistamine effects.
Nasal congestion may be greatly reduced by the B vitamin (pantothenic acid) in combination. It is advisable to take these three nutrients during allergy season.
