During the dry summer months, many people find that they have extra irritation in their sinuses and eyes, especially if they also suffer from hayfever. This can be exacerbated during stormy summers where the alternating hot dry heat and rains can result in plants and weeds flowering and producing irritating pollens.
Here are some tips to help you deal with the issue.
Take lots of warm steamy showers
A lot of the congestion in your sinuses and throat can be temporarily relieved by standing in a warm and steamy environment such as a shower. While you are in there, try gently massaging your sinuses to release built up congestion. Some people also find it useful to add some oils via a diffuser into their bathroom, such as eucalyptus, to help open up the airways. If you don't want to take a whole shower each time, you can try holding your face over a bowl of steaming water and covering your head with a towel to get a similar effect.
Maintain healthy habits
While hayfever is caused by irritants such as pollen, it can be worsened by being exposed to other irritants such as cigarette smoke. Many people also find that excessive alcohol consumption can dehydrate them and worsen hayfever symptoms. Maintaining a healthy diet, avoiding unhealthy habits and getting enough sleep can all help to reduce the impact of your hayfever.
Visit your doctor
It can seem like overkill to visit your doctor for a common problem such as hayfever, but visiting a doctor can be a great idea. They can assess if your hayfever is being affected by other issues (such as infections) and can help to work out a treatment plan which can allow you to participate in your normal activities. They can also help to prescribe suitable medication like steroids, which can reduce chronic inflammation and antihistamines to control allergic reactions. In severe cases, they can write you a referral to an allergist for more intense treatment. If you find it difficult to afford visits to the doctor, looking for a bulk billing medical centre.
Most people with hayfever do not find a single 'silver bullet' solution to managing their hayfever, but instead use a combination of healthy lifestyle habits, medication, and management of symptoms. If you are struggling to cope with your hayfever, you should contact your local doctor to discuss a treatment plan to get you back living your normal life.
Share24 February 2017
Hello there! Welcome to my blog. I would like to start by telling you a story about something that happened to me many years ago. I was working in Sydney at the time as an investment banker. The hours were long and I would party every weekend to de-stress. I put on a lot of weight and began to have problems sleeping. I didn't pay much attention to the problems, as I thought I was invincible. However, one day I collapsed at work. At the hospital the doctors saved my life. Since then, I have become very interested in health and medical matters.