As the golden hues of autumn give way to the vibrant blossoms of spring, many of us find ourselves amidst the beauty and the bane of the season: hay fever. The sneezing, the itchy eyes, and the perennially stuffy nose become our unwanted companions. But before you resign yourself to a fate of tissue boxes and sniffles, a health expert has revealed an 'amazing' hack that promises to clear your stuffy nose instantly, offering a breath of fresh air to hundreds suffering from congestion.

Hay fever season has well and truly arrived, and with pollen counts soaring, millions are grappling with the all-too-familiar symptoms. However, reaching for the tissues might not be your only recourse. James Moore, a massage therapist from Kentucky, has shared his wisdom on social media, amassing millions of views on Instagram and TikTok for his simple yet effective techniques.

Moore's method is straightforward and involves a bit of self-massage that you can do anywhere, anytime. He suggests that those suffering from a stuffy nose should start by blocking one nostril and then applying 'firm pressure' under the cheekbone on the opposite side of the face. Hold this position for 10 seconds and feel the effects as your sinuses begin to clear. Another technique involves gently pulling your nose to one side and then applying pressure under the cheekbone for another 10 seconds.

Colds have been common amid Australia's winter chill. Image Credit: Pexels/Polina Tankilevitch

The magic behind these techniques lies in using massage pressure to stimulate blood flow to the sinus area, which can help alleviate congestion. While Moore cautions that his advice is not a substitute for medical guidance, it's a quick and non-invasive option to try before heading to the pharmacy.

Speaking of medical advice, the NHS recommends treating a blocked nose caused by allergies with over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines, nasal decongestants, or even a simple saltwater solution to clean your nasal passages. Antihistamines work by blocking the effects of histamine, a chemical your body releases when it encounters something harmful. In the case of hay fever, the body mistakenly identifies pollen as a threat, leading to those all-too-familiar symptoms.

Decongestants, available in various forms, reduce the swelling of blood vessels in your nose, helping to open the airways and make breathing easier. But these aren't the only avenues for relief.

For those seeking a longer-term solution, immunotherapy might be the answer. This innovative treatment, available on the NHS for a limited number of patients, involves placing a small wafer under the tongue that releases tiny amounts of the allergen into the bloodstream. Over time, this can 'desensitise' the body, reducing the immune system's overreaction and the resulting symptoms.

Experts are advocating for wider availability of immunotherapy, backed by promising research. A study by Southampton University found that infants given immunotherapy for dust mite allergy were significantly less likely to develop related conditions like asthma later in life.

Key Takeaways

• A health expert has shared an 'amazing' hack on social media that can instantly clear a stuffy nose, which is beneficial during hay fever season.
• The suggested techniques involve applying pressure under the cheekbone and adjusting the position of the nose to allow more blood flow to the sinus area.
• Conventional treatments for hay fever symptoms include antihistamines and decongestants, but there is also an innovative NHS treatment involving immunotherapy.
• Experts are advocating for wider availability of immunotherapy, which has shown promising results in reducing the likelihood of developing related conditions like asthma.

So, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, as we embrace the season of renewal, let's not let hay fever dampen our spirits. Whether you opt for a quick massage hack, over-the-counter remedies, or consider the path of immunotherapy, remember that relief is within reach. Share your experiences with us in the comments below – have you tried these techniques? What works best for you during hay fever season? Let's help each other breathe easy again!

 

[JimmyFlatrock]

Well, my nose is not that stuffy but I'll give anything, with a suggestion of help, a shot once. Here goes the nose/cheekbone hack...........

Well blow me down, I think it works. Breathing through the nose seems to be easier now.... Wait, or is it just a placebo effect that is happening.

Maybe I'll wait until my nose is really blocked and then give it a go.

 

[Abby2]

Incredible this hack actually works

 

[wavery]

I find that applying a small amount of Vicks Vaporub to the tip of your little finger, then inserting the finger into each nostril to very lightly coat the inside of each nostril with Vicks, does wonders for my breathing.
If you find the Vicks too overpowering, try a less potent "chesty rub" from Woollworths.

 

[Penny4]

I suffer from hay fever, so could I receive the NHS treatment? I don't think so living in Australia.
If my ears are blocked, I pinch my nose, take a deep breath and swallow with my mouth shut.
Otherwise, Nasonex spray or if too bad an antihistamine. The issue with antihistamines is we can't take it all the time due to losing it's effectiveness. Nasal sprays don't do that.

 

[Littleboy8]

I find that applying a small amount of Vicks Vaporub to the tip of your little finger, then inserting the finger into each nostril to very lightly coat the inside of each nostril with Vicks, does wonders for my breathing.
If you find the Vicks too overpowering, try a less potent "chesty rub" from Woollworths.

I’ve been doing that for years I thought I was the only one who did itThank goodness I’m not alone.

 

[Kelpie]

There are many old cures that are not used anymore because it is reverted to some medications. I remember in the old days if I had the flue or a very bad head cold my Mum used to make some sort of mixture and then giving it to me hot with a couple of disprin and nealry 100% of the time it worked. If I had the same symptoms when I was visiting my Nan she used to give me the same thing.
I gave this recipe to a few friends of mine (One of them the other day who told me that he will do it again as it was the best night he has ever had while saying that he was going to go to the liquor store and get a couple more bottles of red wine and that he might get addicted to it) and they told me that it really works well.
You get a mug of red wine,
A few cloves,
1 to 1 and 1/2 tablespoon of sugar,
Some nutmeg
A few slices of lemon,
Some apple cut into pieces
Bring it all to boil for a couple of minutes
Then drink it hot with a couple of disprin tablets and go to bed.
You wake up in the morning feeling much better if not even well.
My grandmother and mother told me (When they were still alive) that they have got that recipe from their grandparents and that it was used for centuries.

GOOD LUCK and let me know.

 

[Penny4]

There are many old cures that are not used anymore because it is reverted to some medications. I remember in the old days if I had the flue or a very bad head cold my Mum used to make some sort of mixture and then giving it to me hot with a couple of disprin and nealry 100% of the time it worked. If I had the same symptoms when I was visiting my Nan she used to give me the same thing.
I gave this recipe to a few friends of mine (One of them the other day who told me that he will do it again as it was the best night he has ever had while saying that he was going to go to the liquor store and get a couple more bottles of red wine and that he might get addicted to it) and they told me that it really works well.
You get a mug of red wine,
A few cloves,
1 to 1 and 1/2 tablespoon of sugar,
Some nutmeg
A few slices of lemon,
Some apple cut into pieces
Bring it all to boil for a couple of minutes
Then drink it hot with a couple of disprin tablets and go to bed.
You wake up in the morning feeling much better if not even well.
My grandmother and mother told me (When they were still alive) that they have got that recipe from their grandparents and that it was used for centuries.

GOOD LUCK and let me know.

I remember the old steam menthol inhalation with a tea towel over my head when I was a child.

 

[Veggiepatch]

James Moore, a massage therapist from Kentucky? An expert?

It would be like me telling teenage girls advice on the best tampons!