Did you know that the time to treat your hay fever is now? (to minimise recurrence next summer)
Streaming runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, itchy throat, tiredness … if you’re a hay fever sufferer I don’t need to tell you how frustrating, debilitating and miserable it can be. And it’s quite common – around 20% of the UK population are prone to some form of hay fever.
Recent mild winters, warmer springs and dry summers have led to a longer growing season; hay fever sufferers can therefore experience symptoms from early spring until late autumn. Sometimes, it is very mild and easily manageable and many people deal with it successfully with anti-histamines, Vaseline and nasal sprays.
For others, however, the summer months are a time to be dreaded as they can’t do many of their usual activities – The NHS website has a list of don’ts:
· do not cut grass or walk on grass
· do not spend too much time outside
· do not keep fresh flowers in the house
· do not smoke or be around smoke – it makes your symptoms worse
· do not dry clothes outside – they can catch pollen
· do not let pets into the house if possible – they can carry pollen indoors
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever
That’s pretty restrictive, when what most of us want to do is enjoy the summer weather outdoors. And my dog would certainly not be impressed if I tried to tell him he’s to live outside 24/7 during the summer!
So what’s the solution?
This article is for those with severe or longstanding symptoms, looking to free themselves from the cycle of temporary, symptomatic relief using conventional medicines which don’t cure the underlying problem.
An Example
One client of mine had suffered from hay fever for 40 years. Every summer he struggled with a streaming, runny nose, itchy eyes, nose and back of mouth and tiredness.
His symptoms were so debilitating that he did not go out in June or July and had to stagger his holidays, for example going to Scotland in early June, then elsewhere in August. When he had to go out he would use a facemask: most of the meds made him sleepy but he would take histamine at night and use nasal sprays, sometimes steroidal, and Vaseline up his nose and around his eyes.
Hay fever is a deep imbalance in the system, and treating it is not a quick fix. However, after a two-year programme of alternative homeopathic treatment there was a huge change – he no longer suffers from hay fever! He explains: “There has been a dramatic difference since taking the homeopathic remedies, prescribed by Tana– after 40 years I’m not a hay fever sufferer any more! No more having to stay in during June and July, no more streaming runny nose, itchy eyes and tiredness. What a relief!”
What is Hay Fever?
Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is a seasonal allergy, which commonly occurs in the spring and early summer but can also show itself throughout the year. Particles of pollen from blooming flowers, grasses, trees or mould spores become trapped inside the nose and agitate.
Some people find their hay fever is worse in the city than the countryside and this is because city planners tend to plant more male trees which create more tree pollen.
Those who find their rhinitis symptoms occurring throughout the year may have a sensitivity to house dust and mites, moulds and/or animal dander.
When someone is sensitive to these allergens, the body’s immune system reacts to them as a threat and launches an acute ‘attack’. The nasal passages become inflamed as extra mucus is produced to flush away the particles.
From a deeper perspective, hay fever sufferers have a highly sensitized immune system which is aways on high alert. Just because symptoms are seasonal and there are times when you feel free from them doesn’t mean this immune sensitivity has gone away – it is aways there and will be triggered when the particular allergen appears. This is the same sensitivity that can also cause eczema, asthma and food sensitivities which may sometimes accompany a person’s hay fever.
How do homeopaths approach hay fever?
Homeopathy is a system of natural, alternative medicine which treats the person as a whole. This means it helps with the whole body, the individual’s overly-sensitive immune system as well as the physical symptoms the person experiences. Every patient is different, and every prescription is unique to each person.
A homeopathic consultation, therefore, includes a detailed medical history of the patient as well as causation and personality profile.
With regard to hay fever there are two ways to treat it homeopathically:
1. Remedies which can ease the symptoms of hay fever during the high-allergen season i.e. in the summer. (Look out for my blog next summer on this)
2. Long-term, the underlying reason for the sensitive immune response is addressed. This is done by the patient receiving constitutional treatment when the hay fever is dormant i.e. during autumn and winter.
If you are at the end of your tether with this debilitating condition, then it’s time for a new approach.
Right now is the time of year to treat hay fever naturally, to get underneath it and allow your body to respond differently next time around.
You can book in for a free 15 minute discovery call with me at www.tanablum.com so you can find out more about how this form of treatment can work with your unique, individual symptoms, or contact me at homeopathy@tanablum.com or 07920 518678. I am based in Manchester but also see people on line.
Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash