16/05/2017
What Is Hay Fever?
Hay fever is an allergic disorder characterized by an exaggerated immune response to pollen grains and other substances.
Also known as allergic rhinitis, there are two types: seasonal, which occurs only during the time of year in which certain plants pollinate, and perennial, which occurs all year round. (A related problem, nonallergic rhinitis, shares symptoms with hay fever but is not typically caused by proteins like hay fever and allergies are.)
Typically, if you suffer from hay fever in the spring, you're probably allergic to tree pollens. Grass and w**d pollens may be causing your allergic reaction during the summer. In autumn, w**ds may plague you, and fungus spores cause problems primarily from late March through November but can be present year round.
Symptoms:
Prolonged, sometimes violent sneezing
Itchy, painful nose, throat, and roof of mouth
Stuffy, runny nose
Postnasal drip that causes coughing
Watery, itchy eyes
Head and nasal congestion
Ear pressure or fullness
Fatigue
How Is It Treated?
Start with prevention. If you have seasonal allergies, limit outdoor activities when pollen counts are high. Nasal irrigation and saline sprays can help remove allergen particles from your nose. Saline sprays are available over-the-counter, or you can make your own. Use salt and boiled, sterile, or distilled water, but not tap water. Pour or spray into your nose with a neti pot, nasal syringe, or squeeze bottle.
If your symptoms don’t go away, certain over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications work well. We recommend Cetrine Allergy Tablets, Flixonase Nasal Spray & Otrivine Anthistan Eye Drops. If you have a severe allergy you might try steroid injections or immunotherapy, which is a long-term (3-5 years) process that lowers your allergic response.
