Reports suggest 2012 is going to be a
challenging year for hay fever sufferers with the season starting earlier and
lasting longer, and pollen counts two to three times higher than last year. But
you don’t have to suffer from a stuffy nose and itchy eyes – fight back with
these alternative ideas.
Put the pressure on
You
might have tried acupuncture for back pain and acupressure wrist banks for
travel sickness, so why not harness the same powers to tackle hay fever?
You might have tried acupuncture for back
pain and acupressure wrist banks for travel sickness, so why not harness the
same powers to tackle hay fever? Promising new research from Australia shows
acupuncture can be a safe and effective way to relieve symptoms, particularly
allergic rhinitis (that streaming nose and eyes).
Acupuncturist Andrew Broch used the
research to develop a new product – the Qu-Chi Band, which applies constant
pressure to the acupressure point associated with the front of the face and
sinuses, reducing histamine reactions. You wear it on your forearm, just under
your elbow. It can be worn day and night, is washable and lasts years. Worth a
try if you spend a small fortune every summer on pills and tissues.
Reduce red-eye
Everyone’s
hay fever symptoms are different and for some, it’s the red, swollen, watery
eyes that cause the most problems
Everyone’s hay fever symptoms are different
and for some, it’s the red, swollen, watery eyes that cause the most problems.
Drops may address the itchiness, but if you’ve been rubbing, then the delicate
skin around your eyes is likely to be puffy, dry and sore. If you’re sock of
people asking why you’re crying, try Skin Shop’s Dry Eye Gel. It’s a light,
natural gel that contains the active plant ingredient cardiospermum, known for
its anti-inflammatory skin action. Keep it in the fridge for extra, cooling
relief.
Wash the air
Simply
spray into the air around you, once a day. It also contains eucalyptus and ylang
ylang to aid breathing.
Air Cleanse is winner of an Allergy UK
Consumer Care Award. It’s an aerosol that reduces airborne allergens by at
least 65 per cent, meaning there’s less pollen and pet spores around your home
or at your desk to set off your hay fever symptoms. Simply spray into the air
around you, once a day. It also contains eucalyptus and ylang ylang to aid
breathing. For a double whammy, use with Fabri Cleanse, which you can add to
your laundry to remove pollen from clothes and bedding.
Ease itchy eyes
Team
them with some Jakie O-style large sunnies, too, to protect your eyes from
further invasion.
If you don’t want to rely on
antihistamines, try some simple drops like Optrex Itchy Eye Drops, which work
by flushing out allergens to soothe and relieve that gritty feeling. Team them
with some Jakie O-style large sunnies, too, to protect your eyes from further
invasion.
Light up your nose
Light
up your nose
It takes a leap of faith to believe that
sticking two red-light heat probes up your schonoz will drastically reduce your
hay fever symptoms, but it does (and you get to glow from the inside out, like
E.T.). Accredited by Allergy UK, Lloyds Allergy Reliever can be used three to
four times a day. The theory? The red light reduces inflammation in the nasal
passages and inhibits histamine release.
