Your Family – September 2019

70 yourfamily.co.za

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Eachyearwewelcomespringwithreliefasthewarmerweatherreturns,

bringingfreshflowersandnewbeginningswithit.Formany,however,

theupsurgeinpollenalsomeansthereturnofthatpeskyannual

scourge,hayfever.

WHYDOISUFFERFROMHAYFEVER?

HOWSHOULDITREAT HAYFEVER?

Seasonalallergiescan take all the joy out of a

lovelyspringpicnicor a family braai, and leave

youfeelingillandlow on energy. Try these

treatmentsandyou’llbe stopping to smell the

flowersinnotime:

Antihistamineseffectively treat and prevent

manyoftheirritatingsymptoms of hayfever,

suchaswatery,itching eyes and sneezing.

Theycanbetakenasnasal sprays, eyedrops or

tablets.Unfortunately, they aren’t particularly

effectiveinrelievinga blocked nose and they

generallymakeonesleepy.

Corticosteroids(steroids) are a great option for

thosewhodon’trespond well to antihistamines

andtheiranti-inflammatory effect can do

wondersforeasingablocked nose, as they

reducetheswellingof your nasal passage.

Decongestantseasebreathing as they reduce

swellingofthebloodvessels in your nasal

passage,althoughtaking them for a long period

can eventually cause rebound congestion and

worsen your symptoms. In the long run, nasal

decongestants can also cause irritation and

dryness, so only use them for short periods.

Drinking plenty of water helps to decrease

mucus in the nasal passage, allowing it to be

irrigated more easily.

Probiotics might be able to help treat hayfever

symptoms, according to research. Look for

those containing lactobacilli and bifidobacteria,

which studies say are the most effective.

Certain foods have been found to reduce

hayfever symptoms, including ginger (which

has powerful anti-inflammatory properties),

berries (which contain the natural antihistamine

compound quercetin) and pineapple, which

acts as an anti-inflammatory and contains

bromelain, an enzyme which could help

naturally decrease the production of mucus.

A warm facecloth applied to the face over the

sinuses could help alleviate pain and thin out

mucus. Steam from a warm bath or shower can

also offer temporary relief.

Spraying a sterilised salt water solution such

as Sterimar (available from pharmacies) deep

into your nostrils can help relieve congestion

and is completely safe, so you can do it as often

as needed.

Allergiesarelinkedtogenetics–
althoughyoumaynotinheritthe
exactsameaversionsasyourfamily,
you’remorelikelytodevelopallergies
ifyourparentsandotherclose
relativeshavethem.Beingbornin
springalsoincreasesyourriskof
developingseasonalallergieslike
hayfever,soSeptemberbabiestend
tosufferfromspring-inducedstuffy
nosesandwateryeyes.Hayfever,
orallergicrhinitis,istriggeredbya
higherpollencountandincreases

theproductionofmucus,resultingin

somenastysymptoms,including:

Runnynose

Wateryeyes

Sinusitis

Sorethroatandcough

Pressureoverthesinuses

Headaches

Middle-earinfections

Snoring

Tirednessandlackofsleep

Lossofsmell

Bad breath

Sneezing season