Seven ways to snuff out hay fever as summer approaches

Seven ways to snuff out hay fever as summer approaches
With spring well and truly sprung, now is the time to start building up a resistance to hay fever. And if you're already feeling the itch, here's how to ease those sniffly symptoms.

With hay fever season looming, it’s time to look at ways you can prevent and alleviate its irritating seasonal symptoms.

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to naturally occurring pollens in the air that our body detects as harmful, triggering the release of histamines. Unfortunately, this detection system causes symptoms of itchiness, sneezing, nasal congestion and watering eyes.

While treatment usually involves a round of medicine and nasal sprays, you could avoid these costly cures completely by trying our seven simple remedies:

Local honey

Consuming local honey is a fantastic treatment for hay fever due to the desensitising nature of its main component – bee pollen. Using honey from your local area will provide the best protection against possible allergens. Remember to avoid sugary drinks during the cold and flu season, as they suppress immunity. Opt instead for this warming honey drop.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a great natural antihistamine. Found in oranges, lemons and grapefruits – as well as berries and other citrus fruits – the powerful cold and flu fighter also contains bioflavanoids, which assist in decongesting your sinuses. High doses of vitamin C also help alleviate symptoms effectively and quickly.

Garlic 

Garlic has a ton of health benefits, so adding it your diet will help your body in numerous ways. Acting as a powerful decongestant, garlic helps clear nasal passages and treat respiratory infections, making it a great natural remedy for hayfever.

Turmeric

Join the turmeric trend and ingest the powerful spice as often as you can. Turmeric contains strong anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it can alleviate allergic reactions before they occur. A 2008 study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research found that turmeric prevented the release of histamine from mast cells.

Probiotics

Probiotics are the live microorganisms found in bacteria, fungi or yeast. Probiotics are integral to maintaining your gastrointestinal tract and promoting overall gut health. Taken daily, a probiotic can help people who suffer from hay fever to naturally restore a more balanced immune system. Read how to easily add probiotics to your diet.

Get more sleep

Another easy but crucial step in wading off the irritable symptoms is sleep. Rest is an essential component in maintaining a healthy and functioning body, an article published by Harvard Medical School states that sleep deprivation alters our body’s immune function and hormone levels. Similarly, a survey undertaken by the National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit found that 87% of people with only mild symptoms of hay fever got at least 7 hours of sleep a night.

Keep it clean

Washing your hair a clothes more frequently can really make a difference to your symptoms. Pollen is a very sticky substance that can get stuck on your clothes and hair, which will then transfer to your pillow overnight. It is worth your time to cautious just what you are bringing into your living room, as you could end up affecting more than just yourself.

Read more tips for allergy sufferers here.

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