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Hay Fever |
Hay FeverHay fever (rhinitis) affects one in every five Americans and millions of dollars are spent to tackle this condition.
Rhinitis, though common in children, can occur at any age. Repeated inhalation of allergens is one of the main reasons for hay fever. It would resemble common cold in many ways and its common symptoms include sneezing, runny nose and itching eyes, impaired smell, loss of taste, stuffy nose, sore throat, conjunctivitis, fever, fatigue.
Pollens of ragweed cause 'hay fever' in the USA, while in Britain, grass pollen is the main causative factor.
Though hay fever might appear mild, it could get severe in many cases and put the persons into untold misery. Patients might not be able to get out of their homes for days together.
Allergic rhinitis affects over 20% of Americans.
Hay fever is seasonal and strikes when there is grass pollen in the atmosphere, and it normally subsides by the end of August. Pollen from garden flowers does not cause allergies as it is waxy and is carried by insects.
Dry powdery pollens which are suspended in the atmosphere and get transmitted by wind are normally responsible for hay fever.
As its name suggests "Hay fever" does not involve fever nor is hay its causative factor. Nonetheless, its early symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, and eye irritation are also caused while harvesting, hence this name.
These allergies are also called Rhinitis, which literally means "irritation of the nose", which might result in loss of smell.
Persons suffering from rhinitis would be rubbing of the nose using the index finger that is commonly referred to as "allergic salute."
Hay fever (Allergic rhinitis) is common and can lead to other diseases in complicated cases. Though many modes of treatment are available for rhinitis, it is better to identify the allergy causing pollen and stay away from it.
Rhinitis is normally caused by the proteins present in pollen of weeds and trees.
Though pollen grains are too small and are invisible could be potent triggers of allergy. Pollen when inhaled gets deposited in the mucus membranes of nose and other parts of the respiratory tract, which could harm an allergic person.
Eating freshly produced unfiltered honey is an excellent home remedy for hay fever. Or drink a home made concoction of honey and boiled grapefruit and lemon three times a day. To relieve the irritation in your nose, apply petroleum jelly inside your nose or inhale chamomile vapors by boiling it in water. |
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