Did you know a whopping 15% of Aussies suffer from hay fever in spring and summer? That’s a lot of watery eyes and runny noses! So what can you do to survive summer hay fever? We’ve got the lowdown…
Why do I get hay fever in summer?
Grass pollens are a big hay fever trigger. But the severity of your symptoms will often depend on where you live. For instance, the grass pollen season in Melbourne is shorter than it is in Brisbane and Darwin where it can last for much of the year. Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide tend to get a hay fever hit in spring, before another outbreak in summer. The University of Queensland has a handy guide to grass pollen seasons.
Up your antioxidant intake
It’s believed a diet rich in antioxidants can keep hay fever symptoms at bay. These foods include berries, cherries, plums and pomegranates. Some studies suggest vitamin C can also help, while the flavonoid quercetin found in pineapple, onions, cabbage and apples acts as a natural antihistamine.
Antihistamines for hay fever
For many people, antihistamines are their go-to for managing hay fever symptoms. They’re said to be safe to take long-term, and work well as a preventative measure (i.e. you might want to pop one before dancing in a field, a la The Sound of Music.) But while they can help with sneezing, an itchy nose and watery eyes, antihistamines are less effective at clearing a blocked nose.
Try a nose spray
Nose sprays are also marketed as effective for hay fever. But you need to do your research. There are many natural products that may do the trick, while some people are prescribed intranasal steroid sprays. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor first, as using nasal sprays for too long may actually cause a blocked nose.
Keep it clean
They say prevention is better than cure, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to hay fever. So before the sneezing season hits, why not give your home a good spring clean to remove dust and other allergens?
Originally published on Feb 09, 2018
