When the weather gets finer it can be a bittersweet affair for sufferers of hay fever.
Many people find that their hay fever is at an all-time high when the rest of the world is gushing over the beautiful weather. They are puffy-faced, in a constant state of sneezing and dealing with stinging eyes daily.
Hay fever can really impact a person’s quality of life.
It is particularly stressful when the sufferer is one of your children. It can interrupt their sleeping pattern, their learning at school and perhaps most importantly, their personality and zest for life.
Children who experience bad hay fever tend to want to hibernate at home and feel pretty miserable while their friends are enjoying playing together.
There are several medications on the market which really help hay fever sufferers.
Many of them are antihistamines and when taken correctly can really control the worst of the hay fever symptoms for a lot of people.
Unfortunately, some of the medications that work for people might also have some negative effects also.
There are non-drowsy options available but the one that gives you the most relief might just be a version that makes you feel drowsy. This is not ideal when it comes to school or work.
For children, the issue can be simply taking the medication.
Older children have a better maturity level when it comes to understanding why they need to take a particular medication but younger children may really struggle with the idea of taking medicine daily and it could be a real battle in your family life.
Quite a few people are successfully managing their hay fever naturally in some of the following ways:
Keep a close eye on the pollen count in your area by checking the levels daily. The internet is a great resource for giving specific counts in your locality. Knowing that the levels are particularly high may encourage you to alter the plans for that day. For example, you might be reluctant to open your child’s bedroom window or spend a huge amount of time outdoors. The same can be said for deciding to mow the lawn on a particular day.
Change your shower habits. You might shower in the morning but showering in the evening might help you sleep better as it could remove traces of pollen that have gathered in your hair and on your skin throughout the day.
Wearing a cap while outdoors can prevent pollen from finding it’s way on to your hair and face. This can help protect your eyes, mouth and throat which are often huge problem areas for hay fever sufferers.
Many people find that using a dehumidifier helps to reduce symptoms of hay fever.
Changing your habits around your family pets could make a difference. Hay fever can be triggered by animals so it might be a good idea to limit them to certain rooms and to keep them outdoors as often as you can.
Improve your home hygiene habits by regularly vacuuming to control the buildup of dust and pet hair. Change your bed clothes regularly and keep clutter to a minimum as clutter tends to go hand in hand with the build-up of dust.
Remember that strong smells can add sensitivity to your nose which can trigger hay fever symptoms. This may mean avoiding fresh flowers or the build-up of smoke in the kitchen while you are cooking.