Homemade Cures for Hay Fever

The culprit behind hay fever is grass pollen. Seasonal, it will usually diminish around the last weeks of August. The cause of hay fever is due to the fine, dry pollen that is caught up in the wind. The medical term for hay fever is "rhinitis." It can also cause a loss of smell. Symptoms include nasal congestion, irritation of the eyes and sneezing, headaches and sleeping problems.

Damage Caused By Hay Fever

• Because hay fever can develop into more severe diseases, many sufferers find it imperative to find relief. The underlying issue is that when pollen is inhaled into the nose and mouth, it travels to the mucus membranes of the throat and lungs and causes irritation. Each person's susceptibility is different, so the remedies will vary.

  The side effects of hay fever can hit with a sudden onslaught at different times of the year. The sufferer could also be allergic to feathers, dust, pollen or certain foods. The most common symptom is repeated sneezing that carries on for several minutes. If the sneezing becomes more violent, it can cause tenderness in the muscles, diaphragm or chest.

Homemade Cures for Hay Fever

• Unfiltered honey, freshly produced, provides a good remedy for hay fever. It can also be made into a drink by boiling grapefruit, honey and lemon into a drink that you enjoy 3 times per day. Take bee pollen daily. It helps with allergy sensitivity.

  To help with nasal irritation, put petroleum jelly on the inside of your nose or inhale the vapors from chamomile by boiling it in water. Eating a nutritionally balanced diet is important. Herbal teas and filtered water are also an aid in hay fever. Use a nasal spray. While the homemade cures are highly helpful, sometimes it is necessary to go see your doctor who can then identify the allergens through blood and urine tests. Skin testing can be done to get to the source of the problem. The results will be indicative of the right type of treatment, depending on the severity of the allergy.

What Hay Fever Sufferers Should Avoid

• Limit flour, sugar and dairy products. Because pollen is much more prevalent in the mornings and late in the evening, try to keep from going outside during these times of the day. Stay away from obviously polluted air and avoid smoking and being around smokers. Use air-filtering devices in your home. Clean carpets to get rid of the pet dander. Wash your hair every night because pollen can get on your pillow at night and change your pillowcases often. Keep the grass on your lawn as short as possible. Keep your pets outside the house. Cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief while dusting around the house.