How to Relieve a Hayfever Allergy

Hay fever, medically known as allergic rhinitis, is a common allergic reaction that is indicated by symptoms such as nasal congestion, itchy eyes and throat, and coughing. Generally, it is a seasonal allergy that can cause much discomfort for several months of the year. Because hay fever can have many different triggers, it's important to find out the specific allergens that affect you in order to find relief.

Things You'll Need

• Allergist
• Computer
• Medication

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Instructions

Finding Hay Fever Relief

• 1

  Know your triggers. With so many airborne allergens, it is crucial to properly identify which ones are affecting you. Although various pollens, dust mites and molds are among the most common irritants, there are specific varieties of each trigger that can bring on hay fever symptoms. Visit an allergist to find out what your specific allergens are. A simple skin test can not only identify what you are allergic to, but also indicate the severity of the reaction.

• 2

  Avoid your triggers. It's important to know the season in which you are most affected so you can plan your days accordingly. Visit websites such as pollen.com to help you figure out which months may be your most troublesome and to check daily pollen counts.

• 3

  Take your medication. Always ask your doctor about the best treatment for you. He may recommend one of the many over-the-counter antihistamines, eyes drops or nasal sprays to help relieve your hay fever symptoms. If your symptoms are severe and you find that these are not doing the trick, he may prescribe a stronger medication or discuss the possibility of immunotherapy (allergy shots).