What is hay fever?

When spring arrives it brings with it freshly blossoming tree and flourishing gardens, brightening skies, delightful breezes, sunnier days and – for all too many of us – dreaded hay fever.
Hay fever is an allergy. It is also known as ‘seasonal allergic rhinitis’ or ‘intermittent allergic rhinitis’, and may also include symptoms of conjunctivitis.

The words ’rhinitis’ and ‘conjunctivitis’ may look forbidding, but if we break these words down, then ‘-itis’ simply means ‘inflammation’, and is often used to describe tissue that is inflamed, often ‘puffy’ or swollen, reddened, irritated, itchy, and persistently painful.

Think of rhinoceroses, with their prominent nose horn, and ‘rhinitis’ then becomes easy to decipher: it is inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes.

Conjunctivitis also describes inflammation – in this case, inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and the exposed part of the eyeball.

Both rhinitis an conjunctivitis may be associated with a runny nose and watery eyes.

Whether you call it hay fever or you call it intermittent allergic rhino-conjunctivitis, it’s no fun!

Fortunately there are some natural approaches that can help relief hay fever. Vitamin C and zinc help support the immune system and might just do the trick. You can also try garlic and Echinacea, as they are believed to stimulate the immune system.

And if your hay fever really takes a turn for the worse, consider purchasing a good quality air purifier made by reputable companies such as Austin, Hunter, Honeywell, Friedrich, Holmes, and Oreck.

For more information on related products, please choose from the following:

HEPA Air Cleaners |Electrical / Ionic Air Purifiers | Ozone Air Purifiers | Whole House Purifiers | Replacement Filters