What is hay fever?

Hay fever is an allergy. You get symptoms from pollen from some grasses or trees - this pollen is also called pollen. Symptoms occur when pollen gets into your eyes, nose, mouth, throat or windpipe. This causes your mucous membranes to thicken and produce extra mucus.

Although hay fever is annoying, it is not dangerous. The symptoms disappear by themselves as soon as the pollen is out of the air.

What can you do yourself for hay fever?

Try to come into contact with pollen as little as possible.

• Pay attention to the weather forecast. Especially in spring and summer, when the weather is dry and sunny, there is a lot of pollen in the air.
• Check online where and when pollen is abundant and then try to stay indoors as much as possible.
• Keep windows closed, even at night. Leave your car windows closed too. That way, pollen won't blow in.
• Open the windows when it is raining or has just rained.
• Wear glasses or sunglasses outside. This helps prevent pollen from reaching your eyes.
• Don't go lawn mowing yourself.
• Let your laundry dry indoors.

Medication can help

A nasal spray or other allergy medications may provide relief. A nasal spray with an anti-inflammatory can also help. It is important to start these medications on time and keep windows closed on sunny, windy days.

Read on Thuisarts.nl what else you can do to reduce hay fever symptoms, or watch the film about hay fever for more explanation.