Hay fever cough

April 12, 2021Articles

Hay fever cough is a widespread disease and also known as seasonal allergies. It occurs when natural allergens cause a reaction that results in cold like symptoms. These can include an itchy, dry, persistent cough.

Hay fever cough occurs when your body views certain particles as foreign invaders. These particles are known as allergens and can be anything from pollen to mold spores.Most people are first diagnosed with hay fever in childhood.
When your body is exposed to allergens, it release histamines.Histamines are meant to protect you from harm, but they can also cause the allergy symptoms that make some seasons uncomfortable.While hay fever cough is not contagious, they are uncomfortable and can make you feel miserable.
Types-

There are two primary types of hay fever. They are distinguished by the duration, timing and cause of symptoms.
• Seasonal hay fever-
It causes symptoms only at certain times of the year. This tends to be in the spring and fall, when plants, fungi and molds are releasing reproductive spores.For example – grass pollen, tree pollen, flower pollen, pollen from flowering bushes,trees and shrubs etc.
• Perennial hay fever –
It usually leads to year-round symptoms, because of continual exposure to environmental allergens.Forexample –
• pet dander
• household dust
• spores from indoor mold and fungus
• chemical irritants in cleaning products, such as laundry detergents
• chemicals found in scented products
• air pollution, such as car exhaust
• off-gases from materials such as rubber, canvas and leather
Symptoms –

Cough tend to have similar symptoms, because all coughs are caused by the body attempting to clear away foreign particles, using mucus.
Common symptoms of hay fever include –
• an itchy, scratchy or dry throat
• a continual need to cough
• an itchy nose
• congestion lasting longer than 2 weeks, or as long as exposure to the allergen continues.
• congestion that only occurs in certain settings where the allergen is present
• congestion that occurs at certain times of the year, usually in the spring and fall
• itchy, watery, puffy or swollen eyes
• sneezing
• a sore throat
• a runny nose
• minor fatigue and weakness
• reduced or lost senses of smell and taste
Causes-

A hay fever cough and other allergy symptoms occur fairly quickly after you here been exposed to an allergen that bothers your body.Seasonal hay fever triggers and perennial hay fever triggers set off a chain reaction after they get into your system.A hay fever cough is an after effect of postnasal drip.
Postronal drip occurs when allergens irritate the living of your nose.This triggers your nasal passages to produce mucus, a sticky substance that’s supposed to remove harmful or dirty particles from the air. Mucus associated with allergens tend to be more watery than the mucus you body produces when you aren’t sick or experiencing allergies. This watery mucus drips out of your nose and down your throat. This tickles the throat and leads to a hay fever cough.
This cough usually comes with a constant tickling feeling in the throat. If you are exposed to your allergen when you are outdoors, your coughing will most most likely to be more frequent in the day time. However, your cough will generally be worse at night. This effect is largely due to gravity. Mucus can’t drain as easily at night when you are lying down.
Asthma in another common cause of a cough. When a person with asthma in exposed to an allergen, the airway can tighten, which causes a wheezing cough.

Diagnosis-
If a primary care doctor suspects that a person has hay fever, they will usually refer the person to an allergist.An allergist will ask questions about lifestyle habits, home and work environments, medical history and symptoms, then perform a physical exam of the nose and throat.
When you have an infection, the mucus in your body starts to thicken due to the presence of a virus or bacteria.The type of mucus you are producing can help your doctor tell the difference between a hay fever cough and an infection. If you have thin mucus, as opposed to thick mucus that is difficult to cough up, allergies are usually the reason.
Treatment-
A range of medications and home remedies can treat hay fever and an associated cough.
Useful home remedies may include –
• staying hydrated
• using a saline-based nasal spray, lubricant and rinse
• sucking on cough drops, especially those made from ingredients such as lemon and honey
• drinking warm liquids, such as caffeinated teas, particularly blends made from Chamomile, peppermint, thyme and ginger
• adding 1 to 2 top of honey, ideally locally sourced, to tees or other warm drinks
• gargling with a mixture of half a tsp of salt mixed lukewarm water, several times a day
• making turmeric tea or adding turmeric to meals
Medical options for treating hay fever coughs include –
• Over-the-counter or prescription Antihistamines
• Over-the-counter or prescription decongestants
• Nasal Corticosteroid sprays
• Allergy shots to build immunity, in severe cases

Prevention –

• Dusting and vaccuming all rooms on a weekly basis

• Preventing contact with mold and fungus by wearing protective clothing, gloves, eyewear or a facemask

• Washing all bedding in warm water monthly

• Using natural based, non scented cleaning, hygiene and cosmetic products

• Avoid touching the face or eyes when around pets

• Use dust mite-proof mattress covers
Ayurvedic Perspective-
According to Ayurveda hay fever is a Kaphapitta disorder. The diminished digestive fire may accelerate the condition.Ayurveda concentrates in the real cause of the disease, so pays much attention to boost up the immune system and enables you to compete with the various seasons.
Miraculous therapy –
• Nasya karma-