Seasonal Allergies and Role Of Homeopathy in treating them

Seasonal Seasonal Allergies

Introduction : Seasonal allergies commonly known as hay fever occur only during certain seasons i.e. spring, fall or summer causing allergic rhinitis,allergic conjunctivities and allergic asthma.Although commonly seasonal owing to its relation to airborne pollens, other patterns and aetiologies occur.The use of term hay fever to describe seasonal allergies is a common convention but is literally inappropriate because the symptom complex is neither produced by hay nor associated with fever.
Pollen seasons vary in different parts of the country.People may react to one or more pollens, so a person's pollen allergy season may be from early spring to late fall.Pollen are tiny grains released from flowers which are carried by the wind or insects to cross polinate other plants of same type for reproductive purpose.When these pollen come in contact with a person's eyes,nose or lungs allergic reaction can take place in some people and cause allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivities etc. Levels of pollen tend to be highest from early morning to mid-morning, from 5AM to 10AM.
Grass pollen is the main cause of late spring and early summer allergies.Spring allergies are a result of pollen from trees such as oak,birch,maple,cypress and poplar
Weed pollen is the main cause of seasonal allergy in late summer and early fall.

Signs and Symptoms : Occur when pollens or other allergens come in contact with person's eyes, nose or skin.Usually seen in atopic individuals that is in person's with a family history of similar or related symptom complex and a personal history of collateral allergy expressed as urticaria or asthma.

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Conjunctival and pharyngeal itching
• Cough
• Watery eyes
• Congestion
• Swollen blue coloured skin under the eyes.
• Sleeplessness.
• Symptoms of asthma : Cough and wheezing.

Treatment and Management

Allergy testing can be helpful in predicting the times of the year that you are likely to experience allergy symptoms which is done by skin test or a blood test(RAST)
In most areas pollen is counted and measured.Find out the pollen counts and the types of pollen in your area and also to which types of pollen you are allergic.
Some tips to avoid pollen exposure:
• Stay indoors early morning between 5-10 a.m.
• Keep the windows of your car closed while travelling.
• Close the doors and windows during pollen season early morning.
• Avoid going out on windy days.
• Use air conditioning in your house and car.
• Don't hang your clothes outside for drying as pollen may stick to your clothes and towels.
• Wear a mask while doing outdoor activities.
• Clean carpets and curtains regularly to avoid exposure to dust mites.
• Keep your pets out of your bedroom to avoid exposure to animal dander.

Homeopathic Management
Allergy is a disorder of immune system.Genes and environment both are responsible for causing allergic reaction.Normally our immune system fights germs but in case of allergy our body responds to false alarm.Pollen, pet dander are harmless substances but if our body mistakes them as germs and responds then you get an allergic reaction.It occurs when the body's immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances.Homeopathy corrects our immune system and brings about a perfect balance within our system.It corrects the imbalance and the person is restored to health mentally and physically.The Homeopathic medicines act at the level Psycho neuro endocrinal axis.