A must-read for those with hay fever! Here are some measures to prevent your symptoms from getting worse.
Hello!
He is the musician for HushTug.
While the weather is gradually getting warmer and the pleasant weather of spring is approaching, the full-fledged pollen season has arrived, and many people are probably suffering from the painful effects of hay fever.
So, this time we will introduce some measures to prevent the symptoms of hay fever from getting worse.
If your hay fever is so severe that it's hard for you to concentrate at work, or if you want to control your hay fever and enjoy traveling, be sure to check this out!
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
When a foreign object enters the nose, the body tries to neutralize it.
In the case of hay fever, symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, and tears in order to expel the pollen that has entered the body as a foreign substance.
Sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes are common symptoms of hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis.
In addition, there are two types of hay fever symptoms: an "immediate phase reaction" that occurs immediately when pollen enters the body, and a "delayed phase reaction" that occurs even when there is no pollen. The following symptoms are said to appear for each type.
Immediate reactions: sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose
Late phase reaction: stuffy nose
When these hay fever symptoms are severe, not only do you experience an itchy throat and cough, but you also experience a headache due to nasal congestion, a slight fever due to inflammation in the nose and throat, and fatigue.
What will the amount of pollen be released in 2023?
Source: Japan Weather Association
In 2023, the amount of pollen released from Kyushu to Tohoku is expected to be greater than last season, with particularly large amounts expected in Shikoku, Kinki, Tokai, and Kanto Koshin.
Even those who have had mild symptoms up until now will likely need to take thorough measures to prevent hay fever.
Also, be aware that pollen is more likely to spread depending on the time of day, weather, and not just the season.
It is generally believed that cedar pollen is more likely to fly in the mornings and evenings, and it is also important to be careful as pollen tends to be more likely to fly around on days with high temperatures, low humidity, strong winds, or if it rained the day before.
5 ways to treat hay fever yourself
Now, we will introduce five self-care methods to prevent hay fever symptoms from worsening.
Many of these are easy to make, so please take a look.
1. How to spend time at home
If your hay fever symptoms get worse, it's important to avoid pollen as much as possible.
If you are spending time indoors, try not to leave windows and doors open for long periods of time and make sure to clean frequently.
Additionally, installing an air purifier can help remove pollen and keep you comfortable.
You can also prevent pollen from sticking to your clothes by drying them indoors.
In addition, washing with fabric softener creates a layer of water on the surface of the clothing, preventing static electricity and making it less likely for pollen to stick to it.
2. Care when going out
When you go outside, wear a mask, glasses, and a wide-brimmed hat to prevent pollen from touching your face.
In recent years, masks and glasses designed to protect against pollen have become available for sale, so be sure to check them out.
Also, when you go out, try to wear clothes that are less likely to attract pollen.
Pollen is less likely to adhere to clothes with a smooth surface, and even if it does adhere, it is easier to remove.
In terms of materials, we recommend outerwear made of polyester, nylon, and leather clothing.
On the other hand, wool is said to be a material that easily attracts pollen, so you should avoid wool products such as knitted hats and scarves.
3. Care when you get home
After going outside, it is important to remove pollen from your clothes and hair to prevent pollen from entering the room.
When you get home, remove the pollen from your clothes at the entrance using items such as a clothes brush, a sticky cleaner such as a dustpan roller, or a mini vacuum cleaner.
When you get home, it's a good idea to change your clothes and take a bath to wash away any pollen that may have adhered to your hair or nasal mucous membranes.
4. Watch your diet
There are also some foods that are said to be effective in easing hay fever.
Foods containing lactic acid bacteria, which regulate the intestinal environment and normalize the immune system, as well as vitamin D and dietary fiber, are said to be effective in treating hay fever.
Examples include yogurt, kimchi, lotus root, burdock, oily fish, pickled plums, and chocolate.
On the other hand, there are some foods that can cause allergic reactions and should be avoided as much as possible.
One example is foods that contain trans fatty acids, such as snacks and sweet breads.
In addition, people with cedar pollen allergy should be careful with tomatoes, and those with grass pollen allergy should be careful with watermelon and melon.
However, no matter how effective a food may be against hay fever, extreme eating habits can still be damaging to your health.
It is important to eat a balanced diet, include foods that are known to be effective against hay fever, and avoid foods that should be avoided.
5. Get some exercise
Regular exercise can help boost your immune system and ease the symptoms of hay fever.
People who do not exercise enough may have reduced physical strength and muscle power, and their immune system may be weakened.
When your immune system is weakened, your body becomes susceptible to various viruses, making you more susceptible to catching colds and other infections.
Exercise and strengthen your immune system will help prevent not only hay fever but also colds.
The recommended exercise is aerobic exercise that can be done indoors.
I recommend doing things like step-ups for 5 minutes, which is easy if you have stairs.
Finally
Here are some tips to prevent your hay fever symptoms from getting worse.
If you suffer from hay fever, be sure to take effective measures to ensure a comfortable spring!
I hope this will be of some help to those who suffer from hay fever symptoms.
Thank you for reading to the end this time as well.
HushTug