Hay fever: symptoms, complaints & tips!
Hay fever is one of the most common forms of allergy. A runny nose, itchy eyes, a burning throat and a lot of sneezing; if you suffer from hay fever you will recognize these symptoms. What causes hay fever? What can you do to get rid of your hay fever symptoms? And what does the hay fever calendar look like? We answer all these questions below.
What is hay fever?
Hay fever is an allergy to pollen from plants, grasses or trees. It is also called a 'pollen allergy' or 'histamine allergy'. As many as 800,000 Dutch people suffer from hay fever to a greater or lesser extent. Hay fever symptoms can vary from mild discomfort to severe symptoms that make people want to lock themselves up in the house in the spring. Of course, you want to avoid that. Want to know immediately what you can do about hay fever? View the best remedy for hay fever .
Hay fever symptoms
The symptoms of hay fever start to appear as soon as the weather gets warmer and the first spring sun starts to shine. Plants, grasses and trees are in bloom again and the world looks a bit more colourful after the winter. However, this does not apply to people with hay fever; if you suffer from hay fever, you will start to sniffle, sneeze and get watery eyes right now. The hay fever season has started again. How do you recognise whether you have hay fever?
The symptoms of hay fever
- Itchy nose that makes you sneeze a lot.
- Stuffy or runny nose.
- Itchy eyes, watery eyes or burning eyes.
- Red and swollen eyelids.
- Dry, burning throat that makes you cough.
- Fatigue, shortness of breath and sometimes a feverish feeling.
You don't have to have all hay fever symptoms at the same time to suffer from hay fever. Some people have 'only' hay fever symptoms such as a runny or blocked nose and burning eyes. In addition, you are often not allergic to all types of pollen and grasses, but to a number of types. What you hay fever symptoms also; they are certainly annoying! Fortunately, there are effective remedies on the market to help you get through the hay fever period. Take a look at the remedies for hay fever .
Why do I have hay fever?
If you suffer a lot from hay fever, you have probably asked yourself; 'why do I have hay fever?'. Hay fever does not just appear out of the blue. You often develop your hay fever symptoms over the years. Your mucous membrane becomes increasingly sensitive until an allergic reaction occurs. Did you also know that hay fever is hereditary? If one of your parents has hay fever, you have a 30% chance of getting it too. If both parents have hay fever symptoms, your chance even increases to 50%.
Of course, this does not mean that a child of hay fever parents will always get hay fever, or that you will not get the hay fever allergy if your parents do not suffer from anything. But it does provide some clarity about the question of why you suffer from allergic reactions during the hay fever season and someone else does not.
Hay fever medicines, hay fever pills and antihistamines
If you have hay fever symptoms, you probably already know that there are many different hay fever medicines on the market. Hay fever medicines can be sold over the counter at pharmacies, drugstores and even supermarkets. So you don't need a doctor's prescription for them. Because of the over the counter sales, there is also a lot of uncertainty about the effects of hay fever medicines such as pills, hay fever eye drops and nasal sprays.
For example, did you know that antihistamine is a general allergy product that is not specifically designed for people with hay fever? For more tips on hay fever medicine, read our article: What helps against hay fever? Facts and myths about hay fever treatments .
Hay fever eye drops against hay fever eyes
One of the most annoying hay fever symptoms has to do with your eyes; they water, burn or itch during the hay fever season. What many people do not realize is that your already irritated hay fever eyes are sometimes further irritated by the eye drops you use. That is precisely why it is advisable to use hay fever eye drops (and also nasal sprays) on a natural basis, without extra chemical additives. Natural hay fever eye drops can prevent extra irritation. View natural hay fever eye drops that have been specifically developed for people with hay fever here .
Best remedy for hay fever: 3 tips!
The best remedy for hay fever? That is different for each person. Not every allergic reaction is the same, not everyone is allergic to the same pollens and grasses and not every hay fever season is equally severe. Nevertheless, as a hay fever patient you also want to enjoy the spring and get rid of your hay fever symptoms as soon as possible.
Therefore, 3 ultimate tips for people with hay fever:
- Make sure you are aware of everything you can do to reduce your hay fever symptoms. Check out our 15 tips against hay fever .
- Be aware of all the facts and myths about hay fever medicines and choose the right one hay fever treatment for you. Check out our tips here: what helps against hay fever .
- Don't irritate your eyes and nose even more with chemical hay fever medicines, but choose natural remedies. Look here for natural hay fever eye drops that prevent irritation and address complaints.
