My experience with Hay fever and some coping strategies

So it finally rained in Abuja about three nights ago. There is a feeling I can't explain about the rainy season, especially when it rains at night. Unfortunately, it doesn't rain so much in the UAE (the above picture was taken in a rain room in Sharjah, UAE). However, there's a downside to the rainy season that

I dread- Hay fever. 

Hay fever is an allergic reaction (an immune system overreaction) to pollen. The allergy can result from tree, grass, or weed pollen, which all have different release times throughout the year, with grass pollen allergy being the most common. 

I usually get severe hayfever symptoms during the rainy season, such as itchy eyes, blocked nose, itchy ears, mouth and throat, headaches and so on. I started experiencing these symptoms about 18 years ago and later found out it was hay fever. Before my diagnosis, the symptoms severely affected me. I couldn't function as much, which gradually took a toll on my mental health. For example, in high school, I couldn't take the agricultural classes because I would be too exposed to grass; on the days the symptoms hit hard, I couldn't go to school or leave the house. This problem persisted even during my university days because Osun state has a longer rainy season than Abuja. However, when I went to the UAE for my masters, I didn't experience many symptoms- I barely had any symptoms actually. I am guessing that this is related to the UAE being less humid.

Thankfully, my doctor prescribed medications to reduce the symptoms. With time, I had to find other ways to cope by adopting certain lifestyle changes in order not to totally depend on drugs. What I now do in addition to the meds I take are:

- Avoid dust as much as possible 

- Stay indoors as much as possible during the rainy season. 

- Protect my eyes by wearing glasses in public. 

- Live in a low pollen area. 

- Change my clothes as soon as I get home. 

- Rest as much as possible. 

- Take warm baths before bed.

- Avoid walking on grass.

- Stay away from natural flowers. 

- Try to stay warm as much as possible. 

- Avoid drying clothes outside. 

If you also have such allergies, kindly inform your doctor before you try any of these tips.