6 Facts About Hay Fever

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, is an allergic response to allergens in the environment, such as pollen from trees, grass or weeds. Naturally, pollen is not the only allergen that can cause allergic rhinitis – dust mites and animal dander are two more examples – but in this article, we will focus on pollen allergies.

The time of year when?you suffer from hay fever depends on the type of pollen?you are allergic to. For example, if you are allergic to?pollen from grass, you are likely to suffer from hay fever after the rainy season, when grasses are in bloom – like is currently the case.?

While not a serious threat to your health, hay fever can be extremely unpleasant. If you’ve ever experienced the sniffing and itching caused by hay fever, you know this is true!

Here are a few other facts you might like to know about hay fever.?

Fact #1: Hay fever is an over-reaction of your immune system?

If you suffer from hay fever, your body mistakenly interprets pollen, a harmless organic substance, as?a threat. Exposure to pollen causes your immune system to think it is under attack. In an attempt to ward off this ‘attack’ and prevent the spread of what it identifies as a harmful organism, your immune system produces histamines – which?in turn cause your?hay fever symptoms.?

Fact #2: Hay fever can start at any age

While?symptoms of hay fever generally develop in childhood and adolescence – usually after age 2 and before age 20 – hay fever can develop at any age, in anyone. The good news is that hay fever symptoms tend to become less severe as you age.?

Fact #3: Hay fever runs in the family

The tendency to develop allergies, such as hay fever, is largely genetic. Therefore, if your parents suffer from allergies in general, you are more likely to suffer from hay fever and other allergies as well.?In addition, a family history of asthma or eczema can make it more likely that you will develop hay fever.?

Fact #4: Hay fever can be mistaken for a cold?

Hay fever and the common cold have similar symptoms, so it can be difficult to tell which one you have – especially if you are experiencing your first bout of hay fever.

Hay fever and colds can both cause a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, post nasal drip, a cough and fatigue. However, hay fever is usually also associated with an itchy nose, throat and eyes – which are not symptoms of a cold. Another difference is that a cold can cause body aches and low-grade fever, which hay fever does not.

Finally, hay fever symptoms start immediately after exposure to pollen, while cold symptoms usually develop more slowly and one to three days after exposure to a cold virus.

Fact #5: Hay fever symptoms can improve by avoiding triggers?

As with most allergies, the best way to manage hay fever is?to avoid the?allergen. While it is not feasible to say indoors for months on end to try and avoid pollen, there are a few things you can do to lessen exposure:

• Keep windows shut at night and first thing in the morning, when pollen counts tend to be highest?
• Wear wraparound sunglasses when going outdoors
• Put Vaseline under your nose and inside your nostrils?to?trap pollen?
• Wash your hands and face regularly?
• Avoid going for walks in the veld or other areas with a lot of grass
• Stay indoors as much as possible on?hot, dry and windy days, as there is generally more pollen in the air on such days than on cool, rainy days
• Avoid exposure to other potential allergens, such as pet fur, or environmental irritants, such as insect sprays or tobacco smoke, as these can make hay fever symptoms worse???

Fact #6: Hay fever can be managed by taking antihistamines?

While hay fever does not pose a serious threat to your health, it can have a negative impact on your quality of life, potentially disrupting productivity at school or work in severe cases.?

Therefore, speak to your pharmacist about antihistamines, nasal sprays and?eye drops to relieve symptoms.

Nammed Self-medication Benefits cover antihistamines and other over-the-counter medication.?

If antihistamines do not provide relief, or if you have a condition that can worsen hay fever symptoms, such as nasal polyps, asthma or frequent sinus infections, consider consulting your doctor.?

Nammed covers GP consultations.

For more information about these and other great Nammed benefits, visit?www.nammed.info?or contact any of our offices:

Windhoek: +264 61 374 600?

Swakopmund: +264 64 406 257/49?

Otjiwarongo: +264 67 302 274

Karibib: +264 64 550 551?

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