Also known as allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies, hay fever can be seasonal, perennial (year-long), or occupational. Rhinitis refers to irritation or inflammation of the nose. Hay Fever treatment in homeopathy is possible to an extent.
Hay Fever symptoms commonly include:
- runny nose
- nasal congestion
- sneezing
- watery, red, or itchy eyes
- coughing
- itchy throat
- postnasal drip
- itchy nose
- sinus pressure and pain
- itchy skin
Difference | Hay fever | Cold |
Timing | Hay fever begins immediately after exposure to an allergen. | Colds begin one to three days after exposure to a virus. |
Duration | Hay fever lasts for as long as you are exposed to the allergens, typically several weeks. | Colds usually last just three to seven days. |
Symptoms | Hay fever produces a runny nose with a thin, watery discharge. | Colds cause a runny nose with thicker discharge that may be yellow in color. |
Fever | Hay fever does not cause a fever. | Colds typically cause a low-grade fever. |
For an acute situation, especially if you can’t get to see your homeopath, one of the following homeopathic remedies (available from homeopathic pharmacies) may help –
Arsenicum Iodatum
It is preferred in persistently irritating, corrosive discharges.
Influenza, hay fever, old nasal catarrh.
The discharge irritates the nose from which it flows and over which it flows. The discharge may be fetid, watery and nose is always red, angry, swollen; itches and burns.
Thin, watery, irritating, excoriating discharge from anterior and posterior nares.
Irritation and tingling of the nose, constant desire to sneeze (Pollantinum).
Worse by sneezing.
Lachesis Mutus
Coryza, preceded by headache. Hay fever; paroxysms of sneezing (Sabadilla).
Intermittent fever every spring.
Throat dry, intensely swollen, externally and internally.
Much hawking; mucus sticks and cannot be forced up or down. Very painful; worse slightest pressure, touch is even more annoying.
Sensation of suffocation and strangulation on lying down.
Patient feels he must take a deep breath. Breathing almost stops on falling asleep.
Naphthalinum
Coryza, hay fever have been influenced favourably by this drug.
Lying as if stupefied by a narcotic. Restless.
Hay fever, sneezing, better in open air.
Intense sneezing, associated with long and continued paroxysms of coughing, unable to take a breath.
Headache; eyes inflamed; painful; head hot.
Worse from motion.
Psorinum
Hay fever returning regularly every year.
Dry, coryza with stoppage of nose. Chronic catarrh; dropping from posterior nares.
Wants warm clothing even in summers. Extreme sensitiveness to cold. Often gives immunity from catching cold.
Hammering pain in head; brain feels too large; worse, change of weather.
Dry, hard cough, with great weakness of chest. Cough returns every winter, from suppressed eruptions. Pain in chest; better, lying down.
Sabadilla
Symptoms like hay fever, producing coryza have been utilised by this remedy.
Spasmodic sneezing, with a running nose.
Coryza with severe frontal pain and redness, watering of eyes. Copious, watery, nasal discharge.
Sore throat; begins on left side. Much tough phlegm.
Warm food and drink relieve.
Sensation of a lump in the throat with a constant necessity to swallow.
How to treat or manage your symptoms?
Home treatments and plans are available to help reduce your symptoms. You can reduce the chances of coming in contact with dust and mold by cleaning and airing out your rooms regularly. For outdoor allergies, you can download Poncho, a weather app that tells you what the pollen count is, as well as the wind speed.
Other lifestyle changes include:
- keeping windows closed to prevent pollen from coming in
- wearing sunglasses to cover your eyes when you’re outdoors
- using a dehumidifier to control mold
- washing hands after petting animals or interacting with them in an airy space
Treatment options for children include:
- eye drops
- saline nasal rinses
- non drowsy anti-histamines
- allergy shots, which are most often given to children 5 years old and older
See your homeopath in the autumn so that they can organise your hay fever support over the winter months.
Of course it’s important to say that you should always consult your physician in case of serious illness or injury.
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