New to Canada

If you're anything like me, then you'll understand how I feel when Spring arrives and all you want to do is ahh-choo, sneeze! If you get symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, coughing, or itchy, swollen eyes, you may mistaken it for a cold, but it could be an allergy.

    
        [Photo Credit: chiropracticmakati.com and hayfeverinjection.net]

Allergies can be caused from pollen, dust, mold, animal dander, food, medicine, and more.  Allergic rhinitis or commonly known as hay fever,is an allergic reaction to pollen or allergens produced by weeds, trees, and grass that are often carried in the air during the Spring and Summer seasons.

When your body breathes in the air, an allergic reaction occurs if your body's immune system reacts to the allergen. Hay fever is one of the most common forms of allergies.

Hay fever symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Red, swollen eyes
• Itchy skin

 Does this sound like the common cold? There is a difference between the common cold and hay fever allergies. Have a look at this chart by MedicineNet.com

The best way to treat your allergies is to talk to your doctor or local pharmacist. They may be able to provide you with treatment through medicine, allergy shots, or other ways to help.

It's always good to learn more about your allergy in order to help eliminate or tame it. There are some great websites available to help with treatment and prevention tips. These include Mayo Clinic, Medicial News Today, and Web MD, but the library also has some excellent resources for you to look into: 

There are many other allergies to consider and some are mentioned in our Health and Wellness Blog on allergies. You can also have a look at our library catalogue to find more on allergies. 

Severe forms of hay fever allergies can be difficult to deal with if no treatment is provided. Symptoms can greatly effect overall performamce, disrupt your daily tasks, and make it difficult for you to concentrate or sleep properly. In some people, pollen may even trigger asthma.

When I'm working at my library and suddenly feel the effects of hay fever symptoms, I constantly sneeze and blow my nose, which makes it look as though I'm sick.

These are the moments when I wish I had some medicine to help me get through my day!

Do you have hay fever allergies? How do you cope? 


[Photo Credit: Werid Inventions by Fun Glove Blog]