How to relief from mild to moderate hay fever symptoms

Hay fever is a seasonal allergy characterized by sneezing, tearing eyes, and itchiness triggered by the inhalation of pollen or, less commonly, molds. Medically known as seasonal or allergic rhinitis, the term hay fever is a misnomer. Although symptoms may occur during the haying season, hay itself is not the culprit nor is there a fever.

Although foods aren’t ordinarily associated with hay fever, people with certain types of seasonal allergies may experience symptoms after eating particular foods. For example, plants in the sunflower family have antigens that cross-react with members of the ragweed family. Thus, a person whose hay fever symptoms are triggered by ragweed may react to eating any herbs and vegetables in the sunflower family. Similarly, people sensitive to mold spores may have an issue eating foods and beverages that harbor molds.

Nutrition Connection
There is no special diet to alleviate hay fever symptoms, aside from avoiding foods that may trigger flare-ups.
-Avoid foods in the sunflower plant family. If ragweed triggers hay fever flare-ups for you, avoid foods in this family. They include artichokes, chamomile tea, chicory, dandelions, endives, escarole, Jerusalem artichokes, salsify, safflower (found in vegetable oils and margarines), sunflower seeds and oil, tansy (used in some herbal medicines and folk remedies), and tarragon.
-Avoid fermented foods if you’re allergic to mold. These include alcoholic beverages, especially beer, wine, and other drinks made by fermentation; breads made with lots of yeast or the sourdough varieties; cheeses, especially blue cheese; dried fruits, including raisins and others that are allowed to dry outdoors; mushrooms of all kinds; processed meats and fish, including hot dogs, sausages, and smoked fish; sauerkraut and other fermented or pickled foods, including soy sauce; and vinegar and vinegary products, such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, ketchup, and pickles.
-Watch out for honey. Contaminants or pollens in some foods can also trigger the onset of hay fever symptoms. This is especially true of honey, which may harbor bits of pollen, and bee pollen capsules, a food supplement and natural remedy.
-Eat more omega-3s. Some reports suggest that eating fatty fish and other foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, herring, and flaxseeds.

Beyond the Diet
-Take over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications. Drugs such as Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec can provide considerable relief from mild to moderate hay fever symptoms.
-Try a nasal rinse. Rinsing your nasal passageways with a water and salt solution helps to relieve nasal congestion and keep the pathway clear by flushing out mucus and allergens from your nose and sinuses. A neti pot or a squeeze bottle can be found at your local drugstore.
-40% of all children in the United States suffer from hay fever.
-Talk to your doctor. For severe hay fever flare-ups, a doctor may prescribe nasal or oral corticosteroids, or leukotriene modifiers that block immune system chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.