Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common allergic reaction that occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to airborne substances called allergens. Despite its name, hay fever is not caused by hay and does not result in a fever.
Causes:
Hay fever is triggered by inhaling tiny particles of allergens such as:
- Pollen: Released by trees, grasses, and weeds, and is often seasonal.
- Mold spores: Can be found both indoors and outdoors and may be year-round or seasonal.
- Dust mites: Tiny creatures that live in house dust.
- Pet dander: Shed skin and hair from animals like cats and dogs.
Symptoms:
Hay fever symptoms can vary in severity and may include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy nose, throat, mouth, and ears
- Watery, red, or itchy eyes
- Coughing
- Postnasal drip (mucus running down the back of the throat)
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Loss of smell
- Pain around the sides of the head and forehead
Diagnosis:
A healthcare professional can usually diagnose hay fever based on your symptoms and medical history. They may also perform:
- Physical exam: To check for signs of allergies, such as swollen nasal passages or pale skin under the eyes.
- Skin prick test: A small amount of suspected allergens is pricked onto the skin to see if a reaction occurs.
- Allergen-specific IgE blood test: Measures the level of specific allergy antibodies in the blood.
Treatment:
There is currently no cure for hay fever, but various treatments can help relieve symptoms:
- Avoidance: The best way to manage hay fever is to limit exposure to known allergens. This may involve staying indoors on high pollen days, using air filters, and regularly cleaning to reduce dust mites and pet dander.
- Medications:
- Antihistamines: Help to relieve itching, sneezing, and runny nose. They are available as pills, nasal sprays, and eye drops.
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays: Reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and are often the most effective treatment for nasal symptoms.
- Decongestants: Help to clear a stuffy nose and are available as pills and nasal sprays. Use nasal decongestants sparingly as prolonged use can worsen symptoms.
- Cromolyn sodium nasal spray: Can help prevent allergy symptoms by blocking the release of histamine. It works best when started before exposure to allergens.
- Nasal irrigation: Rinsing the nasal passages with a saline solution can help to clear mucus and allergens.
- Allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots or sublingual tablets): Involves gradually exposing the body to increasing doses of allergens to build tolerance over time. This treatment is usually reserved for severe cases that don’t respond well to other treatments.
Prevention:
While hay fever cannot be prevented entirely, you can take steps to minimize your exposure to allergens and manage your symptoms:
- Monitor pollen counts and stay indoors when they are high.
- Keep windows and doors closed during pollen season.
- Use air conditioning with allergen filters.
- Shower and change clothes after being outdoors.
- Avoid mowing the lawn or doing other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
- Dry clothes in a clothes dryer rather than hanging them outside.
Symptoms are often worse during specific times of the year, particularly when pollen counts are high (typically late March to September in the Northern Hemisphere) and during warm, humid, and windy conditions.
