I also would like to know what causes hay fever (Amanda)

Good questions Amanda, hopefully we’ll find an answer to all 3 here. I wish I could say “absolutely, of course we have a cure” Unfortunately, I am unable to do that. But maybe we can learn a bit and treat some symptoms. Hay Fever is also known as Allergic Rhinitis or a Nasal Allergy.

Hay fever is a reaction (the body’s defense system) to collection of different natural occurrences. The most common of these is pollen and dust. When these “triggers” are inhaled, the body naturally releases chemicals known as histamines. This release of chemicals in turn can cause itchy and/or tearing eyes, swollen membranes and greater amounts of mucous causing a runny nose, sneezing and general fatigue. The pollens that cause hay fever can vary from person to person but most generally include tiny hard to see pollens. The most troublesome and common of these is Trees (evergreen and deciduous) usually in the spring; Grasses during the late spring and summer; Ragweed and other late- blooming plants in the late summer to early fall. Remember that hot dry windy days will usually produce and spread more pollen. Cool, damp days will “knock it down”.

Now for the prevention part; of course you can anticipate that I am going to say “avoid what causes the symptoms”. You would be correct. Although this may be difficult to do – during high risk days remain indoors and use air conditioning when possible. Remember the good days (cool, slightly damp) vs. the bad days (hot, dry, and windy).

The best thing for removing mucous from the nose may be a nasal wash of normal saline purchased at your apothecary. Even better an all natural homemade version of Nasal Spray. To make the wash at home mix one cup of warm water, half a teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of baking soda. Using a bulb syringe; lightly spray a mist of the mixture 3 to 4 times daily with head tilted slightly backward. To avoid rednessand irritation under or around the nose use petroleum jelly to coat the skin. A damp cold compress can be helpful for the dry itchy eyes, And of course the softest least irritating tissue you can find.
Good Luck and Good Health!

Simply put, hay fever is a sensitivity to certain plants or pollen. The body's immune system is down and confused for some reason and so it wrongly feels it is being attacked. So your body makes an antibody called IgE which makes histamine, an inflamatory chemical which makes increased mucus.
In my patients I find that the key to getting rid of allergies is working on their immune systems. There may be some quick stuff you can take to help the sniffles for a few minutes but it won't get rid of the hay fever.

Thanks Erika this makes a lot of sense.