Up to twenty percent of Australians suffer from hay fever at some point in their lives. For some people it is an ongoing battle to manage the year-long condition. Whilst steroid sprays are the over the counter go-to for many, there are plenty of holistic methods that can help hay fever sufferers.
What is Hay Fever?
When you suffer from a bout of hay fever you may first think that you’ve caught a cold. This is because some of the hay fever symptoms closely resemble a cold, but hay fever isn't caused by a virus, rather it is an allergic reaction to allergens.
The official term for hay fever is allergic rhinitis which means an allergy that affects the nose. It is a common condition that many people suffer from.
Symptoms include:
- runny or stuffy nose
- sneezing
- itchy eyes
- itchy ears, nose and throat
- watery eyes
- headaches
- ongoing congestion
- buildup of sinus pressure
- postnasal drip
These symptoms are all caused by an allergic reaction. Our noses are designed to act as filters, trapping dust and pollen through hair and mucus. When someone is allergic to these particles, the nasal passages become inflamed, and more mucus is produced. This inflammation is due to the immune system thinking the allergens are attacking the body.
What Causes Hay Fever?
Hay fever can result when the nose and/or eyes encounter environmental allergens.
These include:
- In-home allergens including dust mites, moulds and animal hair.
Perennial allergic rhinitis is the term given to the condition for people suffering symptoms at all times of the year, many of which are commonly found in the home.
- Outside allergens include pollen and grass
Whilst hay fever can affect people at any time of the year, seasonal allergic rhinitis or spring hay fever is common in Spring when there is a large quantity of airborne grass pollen.
Natural Ways to Help Manage Your Hay Fever
Kiri Yanchenko, founder of AMPERNA®, has suffered from hay fever for many years. Incorporating a few holistic methods into her lifestyle has meant she has been better able to manage here condition. Her top four tips are:
Acupuncture
Whilst acupuncture is widely accepted as a way of easing many types of pain such as muscles aches, migraines and backaches, research also suggests that use of needles to stimulate certain points on the skin can also trigger the release of pain and inflammation fighting chemicals in the body.
Whilst the jury is still out on how it helps hay fever, it is believed to reduce inflammatory immune-system substances involved in allergic reactions.
Olive leaf extract
This extract can naturally relieve symptoms by the process of producing a decongestant effect in the body in conjunction with providing anti-fungal properties. You can look for it in chemists and health food stores.
Sinus wash
If you suffer from hay fever or sinus-disease, it is important to keep you nose and sinus cavities clean. You can use a do-it-yourself version or purchase preservative-free, non-medicated kits with a sinus wash bottle and powder that are gentle on nasal and sinus tissues. Using a sinus wash can help wash away excess mucus, pollen, dust, pet dander and other irritants to relieve nasal and sinus congestion.
Honey
Sourcing honey from local hives is a good holistic technique to help manage hay fever. When you consume local honey, it is believed you may become less sensitive to the local pollen. As a result of using this practice for many years, Kiri experiences fewer seasonal allergy symptoms.
If you suffer from hay fever and want help to manage your condition, Kiri is here to help. Kiri launched the AMPERNA® Holistic Skin Coaching Service several years ago the service gives you the opportunity to discuss topics such as skin health and general health and wellbeing. If you want to find out more on how you can use a holistic approach for managing inflammation and hay fever, get in touch with Kiri today.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20373039
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hay-fever
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20130218/acupuncture-may-help-ease-hay-fever
https://www.naturalhealthstrategies.org/natural-allergy-relief/
