While certain medications are recommended to prevent and relieve it, there are also a few simple, gentler measures a person can take to reduce the suffering.

It may be a benign medical condition, but that doesn’t mean that allergic rhinitis isn’t incapacitating on a daily basis for sufferers, and even more so in the spring, when trees release their pollen into the air.

While medications such as antihistamines or corticosteroids exist to prevent or reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis, there are a few simple tips and tricks that can help those affected on a daily basis.

Preventing allergic rhinitis

While totally preventing allergic rhinitis being felt may not be possible, there are some simple things you can do to minimise these occurrences, both inside and outside the home.

It is essential to air one’s home at least ten minutes a day – and in fact, it’s recommended to do so throughout the year. It is advised to air one’s rooms before sunrise and after sunset.

But that’s not the only tip: it is also recommended to rinse and brush your hair in the evening to get rid of pollen and other allergens that may have been deposited throughout the day.

Keep in mind also that masks, which have become a part of the general public’s daily life since the Covid-19 pandemic, can play an essential, even indispensable role in reducing the risk of allergic rhinitis.

Relieving symptoms

Let’s say you’ve taken all precautions possible and the symptoms are still present: runny nose, tingling and itching, and of course the sneezing fits. Don’t despair, there are a few “old wives’ remedies” and other natural tricks that won’t put an end to your hay fever, but may help reduce the symptoms.

It may sound obvious, but don’t forget to blow your nose regularly and to rinse out your nose with saline solution either from the store or making your own with distilled or boiled water, making sure it’s sterile.

A sterile saline solution can also be used for eye irritations. Breathing in essential oils can also help relieve some of the symptoms of seasonal rhinitis, with lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint particularly recommended – except when pregnant.

And talking about “old wives’ remedies,” you can’t leave out herbal teas. These concoctions can also be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of hay fever. Nettle is among the plants that act as an antihistamine, while peppermint has analgesic and anaesthetic effects.

Making infusions from these two ingredients can not only help relieve a runny nose and sneezing, but also itching. Acupuncture can also be effective during hay fever season.

On the other hand, it is not advisable to indulge in spicy food or consume alcohol, which can intensify allergy symptoms.