How to Get Rid of Hay Fever

Hay fever is an allergic reaction which causes runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and sinus pressure. The cold-like symptoms can last year round or just appear during certain seasons. It is caused by allergies to dust, pollen, pet dander or other allergens. According to Mayo Clinic, "Hay fever is common --- it affects more than 1 in 5 people." If you suffer from hay fever, you can alleviate the symptoms using several methods.

Things You'll Need

• Antihistamine medication
• Nasal decongestant spray
• Eye drops
• Corticosteroid spray, drops or pills

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Instructions

• 1

  Avoid the allergen. Stay away from pets, pollen, dust or whatever allergen triggers your symptoms. This may be difficult to do in spring, for example, when plants are in bloom; however, do your best to avoid keeping flowers or animals in the house if you are allergic.

• 2

  Take an over-the-counter antihistamine tablet. According to Mayo Clinic, "They work by blocking histamine, a symptom-causing chemical released by your immune system during an allergic reaction." Be sure to take a non-drowsy formulation during the day.

• 3

  Use a nasal decongestant spray for fast relief of a stuffy, blocked nose. These sprays are available without a prescription and work to reduce swelling in your nasal passages.

• 4

  Apply eye drops if you experience redness, dryness, wateriness or itching in the eye area. Over-the-counter drops relieve inflammation in the eyes and alleviate the allergic symptoms.

• 5

  Get a prescription for corticosteroids. These can come in spray, drop, inhaler, injection or oral form. Speak to your doctor about which corticosteroid option works best for your specific allergies. Become aware of possible side effects and usage information for the medication you decide on.