Hay fever is misnamed due to the fact that hay is not a normal source of this problem, and it does not cause fever. Early on depictions of sneezing, nasal sinus congestion, and eye irritation while harvesting field hay encouraged this accepted expression. “Allergic rhinitis” is the accurate term used to describe this allergy sinus reaction, and numerous diverse substances cause the hay fever symptoms. Rhinitis means “irritation of the nose” and is an offshoot of rhino, meaning nose. Allergic rhinitis which develops during a specific season is called “seasonal allergic rhinitis.” When it occurs during the year, it is called “perennial allergic rhinitis.”
Symptoms of hay fever regularly include nasal sinus congestion, a clear runny nose, sneezing, nose and eye itching, and an overload of tear production in the eyes. Postnasal dripping of clear mucus commonly causes a hay fever cough and sore throat. Loss of the sense of smell is common, and loss of taste sense occurs sporadically. Nose bleeding may occur if the condition is severe. Eye itching, redness, and excess tears in the eyes frequently accompany the nose sinus symptoms. The eye symptoms are referred to as “allergic conjunctivitis” (inflammation of the whites of the eyes). These allergy hay fever symptoms time and again hinder one’s quality of life and overall health.
Although pollen is typically too small to see in the air, pollen is a forceful stimulator of allergy. Pollen sticks to the nasal lining tissues (mucus membranes) and other parts of the respiratory tract where it sets off the allergic response. Up to 30% of Americans at times experience allergic rhinitis. A person is programmed to be allergic by his/her genetic makeup and is destined to be allergic from birth. Approximately one in four people with allergic rhinitis also has asthma.
Dodging allergens like pollen is the most useful factor in controlling allergy symptoms. Attempts to control the environment and avoidance measures frequently help in resolving symptoms. However, allergy avoidance is often not easy. Many times a discussion with your physician is needed, and controlled measures may be required daily. If avoidance is not possible or does not relieve symptoms, additional hay fever treatment is needed. Many patients that are destined for allergy distress respond to antihistamines.