Hay fever or allergic rhinitis – a perennial problem
Mark Bevan asked:
About Hay fever and allergic rhinitis
Hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, generally results from airborne substances such as pollen that tend to easily enter the human body through the nose, sinus, throat and eyes, into the upper respiratory system where it forces the body to produce antibodies. These antibodies release histamine, the main culprit, which irritates the nasal passages, producing typical hay fever symptoms.
The name ‘hay fever’ is highly misleading, because symptoms occur all year round and not particularly in the autumn months when hay is gathered; moreover, it never includes fever. Most common of all allergic diseases, almost 15% of the world population suffers from this condition. Symptoms mostly appear in childhood first and then lessen as they age but this may not always be the case. It occurs all year round and may be caused by things such as house dust mites and pets. However, the predominant allergens keep changing from time to time.
Causes and symptoms of hay fever
Any substance can cause an allergy but hay fever is primarily caused by proteins. Commonly, hay fever is the direct result of an allergic person coming in repeated contact with plant protein. Flowering plants rarely cause allergies, however, the common trees, grasses, and weeds produce extremely small, light, dry protein particles which are called pollen. Spread by wind, these pollen particles are the male *** cells of the plant that are exceptionally minute in nature.
Although, usually invisible when airborne, pollen is a potent allergy stimulator. It has a tendency to lodge itself in the nasal lining tissues (also called the mucus membranes) as well as in other parts of the respiratory tract where it instigates allergic responses that can sometimes be serious. Since, a tendency to suffer allergies is often hereditary; an individual’s genetic makeup programmes him to be allergic, mostly from birth. The most common causes of hay fever are:
Tree pollen such as elder, elm, hazel and birch(spring) Grass pollen (summer) Mugwort and hybrids such as chrysanthemum (autumn) House dust mites and mould fungus
Symptoms of hay fever generally include:
Nasal congestion Clear runny nose Sneezing Itching of the nose and eyes Excessive tear production Postnasal drip that may result in cough Loss of the sense of smell Occasional loss of sense of taste Nose bleeds in severe conditions Allergic conjunctivitis (inflammation of the white portion of the eyes)
These allergic symptoms may sometimes become severe to an extent where they start to interfere with a person’s quality of life as well as overall health.
Hay fever bands
Hay fever bands are eco-friendly and are particularly liked by people who are health conscious and prefer to stay away from prescription medications as far as possible. This is a 100% safe and a viable alternative method that helps treat the condition without consuming drugs or chemicals.
A hay fever band uses the popular acupressure technique, embracing traditional Chinese healing methods to provide complete natural relief from the symptoms of hay fever. This band can be conveniently used by both adults and children over 3 years of age. Since, it is completely natural, the hay fever band does not cause drowsiness or have any kind of side-effects. Hay fever bands are completely drug free.
Pollen allergy
Plants produce pollen in order to reproduce. Plain-looking plants produce pollen that is generally responsible for causing allergic reactions. Unfortunately, too much pollen in the air can cause problems if you are sensitive to it.
Pollen allergy is most commonly caused by germinating plants like juniper and birch trees, as well as flowers, grass, grains, and common weeds like ragweed. If you shake a plant in germination, the cloud of powder that appears is the pollen that is capable of causing allergies.
About Hay fever and allergic rhinitis
Hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis, generally results from airborne substances such as pollen that tend to easily enter the human body through the nose, sinus, throat and eyes, into the upper respiratory system where it forces the body to produce antibodies. These antibodies release histamine, the main culprit, which irritates the nasal passages, producing typical hay fever symptoms.
The name ‘hay fever’ is highly misleading, because symptoms occur all year round and not particularly in the autumn months when hay is gathered; moreover, it never includes fever. Most common of all allergic diseases, almost 15% of the world population suffers from this condition. Symptoms mostly appear in childhood first and then lessen as they age but this may not always be the case. It occurs all year round and may be caused by things such as house dust mites and pets. However, the predominant allergens keep changing from time to time.
Causes and symptoms of hay fever
Any substance can cause an allergy but hay fever is primarily caused by proteins. Commonly, hay fever is the direct result of an allergic person coming in repeated contact with plant protein. Flowering plants rarely cause allergies, however, the common trees, grasses, and weeds produce extremely small, light, dry protein particles which are called pollen. Spread by wind, these pollen particles are the male *** cells of the plant that are exceptionally minute in nature.
Although, usually invisible when airborne, pollen is a potent allergy stimulator. It has a tendency to lodge itself in the nasal lining tissues (also called the mucus membranes) as well as in other parts of the respiratory tract where it instigates allergic responses that can sometimes be serious. Since, a tendency to suffer allergies is often hereditary; an individual’s genetic makeup programmes him to be allergic, mostly from birth. The most common causes of hay fever are:
Tree pollen such as elder, elm, hazel and birch(spring) Grass pollen (summer) Mugwort and hybrids such as chrysanthemum (autumn) House dust mites and mould fungus
Symptoms of hay fever generally include:
Nasal congestion Clear runny nose Sneezing Itching of the nose and eyes Excessive tear production Postnasal drip that may result in cough Loss of the sense of smell Occasional loss of sense of taste Nose bleeds in severe conditions Allergic conjunctivitis (inflammation of the white portion of the eyes)
These allergic symptoms may sometimes become severe to an extent where they start to interfere with a person’s quality of life as well as overall health.
Hay fever bands
Hay fever bands are eco-friendly and are particularly liked by people who are health conscious and prefer to stay away from prescription medications as far as possible. This is a 100% safe and a viable alternative method that helps treat the condition without consuming drugs or chemicals.
A hay fever band uses the popular acupressure technique, embracing traditional Chinese healing methods to provide complete natural relief from the symptoms of hay fever. This band can be conveniently used by both adults and children over 3 years of age. Since, it is completely natural, the hay fever band does not cause drowsiness or have any kind of side-effects. Hay fever bands are completely drug free.
Pollen allergy
Plants produce pollen in order to reproduce. Plain-looking plants produce pollen that is generally responsible for causing allergic reactions. Unfortunately, too much pollen in the air can cause problems if you are sensitive to it.
Pollen allergy is most commonly caused by germinating plants like juniper and birch trees, as well as flowers, grass, grains, and common weeds like ragweed. If you shake a plant in germination, the cloud of powder that appears is the pollen that is capable of causing allergies.
Know More About Allergic Rhinitis
May 20, 2009 by admin
Filed under Advertising
Charlene J. Nuble asked:
Allergic rhinitis is often also called nasal allergy, pollinosis or hay fever, especially when it occurs during the haying season.
Allergic rhinitis is the occurrence of several symptoms, usually in the eyes and in the nose, after exposure to particles that may be airborne like plant pollens, dander and most especially, dust.
An oversensitive immune system is usually cited for the occurrence of allergic rhinitis. Take note that the immune system is your shield against harmful and ailment-causing viruses and bacteria. In some people, immune systems react violently to substances or allergens that are not generally harmful or disease-causing.
The most common and primary cause of allergic rhinitis is allergy to pollen. Pollens are very fine and powder-like substances produced by seed plants’ anthers. Allergic rhinitis can be similar to allergic reactions exhibited in some people by allergies to animal dander, inhaled allergens, mold and dust.
Some of the plants that usually produce pollens that cause reported cases of allergic rhinitis are deciduous and evergreen trees, flowering plants, ragweed and grasses.
Identifying allergic rhinitis
The most common manifestations or symptoms of allergic rhinitis are:
o Nasal congestion or what you call stuffy nose
o Wheezing
o Sore throat
o Sneezing
o Teary eyes
o Runny nose
o Smell impairment
o Headache
o Coughing
o Itching in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, skin or any other areas in the body
How to treat allergic rhinitis
Remember, most allergies are treatable but not curable. Allergic rhinitis is not an exception.
Treatments or medications available or prescribed for allergic rhinitis only reduce symptoms of allergy caused by inflammation in the infected or affected tissues.
Doctors advise that the best treatment would be prevention, but if you happen to already have it, several medications may be of help.
Antihistamines are usually over-the-counter or do not require prescriptions when you buy them in drugstores. Such medicines, however, are only recommended to relieve mild symptoms or moderate symptoms. Take note that antihistamines may cause drowsiness and should not be taken when driving.
There are antihistamines that are specifically described longer-acting. Included in this category are cetirizine and fexofenadine. These types of antihistamines will unlikely cause drowsiness.
Nasal sprays are the most common form of medications taken for allergic rhinitis. They are safe and effective especially for patients whose symptoms are not reduced by antihistamines.
Decongestants are not exclusive for cough. They can also be used to treat allergic rhinitis.
In taking medications, it is important to first seek a doctor’s recommendation and prescription even if some medicines are non-prescription to ensure health and safety. Proper administration and timing is also important. No one wants to get an overdose right?
Preventing allergic rhinitis
Prevention is better than treatment, as always. To prevent the onset of allergic rhinitis, people with history should try to remain indoors or inside air-conditioned rooms especially during the pollination or hay season.
Remember that most pollinating trees produce and air-spread pollens during spring.
In the case of flowers and grasses, they pollinate during summer and ragweeds produce pollen in early autumn.
Bear in mind these trivial but interesting facts so you would know how to prevent getting another allergic rhinitis episode. It could not be that deadly, but it would really feel uncomfortable. One more thing, who says complications do not kill?
Allergic rhinitis is often also called nasal allergy, pollinosis or hay fever, especially when it occurs during the haying season.
Allergic rhinitis is the occurrence of several symptoms, usually in the eyes and in the nose, after exposure to particles that may be airborne like plant pollens, dander and most especially, dust.
An oversensitive immune system is usually cited for the occurrence of allergic rhinitis. Take note that the immune system is your shield against harmful and ailment-causing viruses and bacteria. In some people, immune systems react violently to substances or allergens that are not generally harmful or disease-causing.
The most common and primary cause of allergic rhinitis is allergy to pollen. Pollens are very fine and powder-like substances produced by seed plants’ anthers. Allergic rhinitis can be similar to allergic reactions exhibited in some people by allergies to animal dander, inhaled allergens, mold and dust.
Some of the plants that usually produce pollens that cause reported cases of allergic rhinitis are deciduous and evergreen trees, flowering plants, ragweed and grasses.
Identifying allergic rhinitis
The most common manifestations or symptoms of allergic rhinitis are:
o Nasal congestion or what you call stuffy nose
o Wheezing
o Sore throat
o Sneezing
o Teary eyes
o Runny nose
o Smell impairment
o Headache
o Coughing
o Itching in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, skin or any other areas in the body
How to treat allergic rhinitis
Remember, most allergies are treatable but not curable. Allergic rhinitis is not an exception.
Treatments or medications available or prescribed for allergic rhinitis only reduce symptoms of allergy caused by inflammation in the infected or affected tissues.
Doctors advise that the best treatment would be prevention, but if you happen to already have it, several medications may be of help.
Antihistamines are usually over-the-counter or do not require prescriptions when you buy them in drugstores. Such medicines, however, are only recommended to relieve mild symptoms or moderate symptoms. Take note that antihistamines may cause drowsiness and should not be taken when driving.
There are antihistamines that are specifically described longer-acting. Included in this category are cetirizine and fexofenadine. These types of antihistamines will unlikely cause drowsiness.
Nasal sprays are the most common form of medications taken for allergic rhinitis. They are safe and effective especially for patients whose symptoms are not reduced by antihistamines.
Decongestants are not exclusive for cough. They can also be used to treat allergic rhinitis.
In taking medications, it is important to first seek a doctor’s recommendation and prescription even if some medicines are non-prescription to ensure health and safety. Proper administration and timing is also important. No one wants to get an overdose right?
Preventing allergic rhinitis
Prevention is better than treatment, as always. To prevent the onset of allergic rhinitis, people with history should try to remain indoors or inside air-conditioned rooms especially during the pollination or hay season.
Remember that most pollinating trees produce and air-spread pollens during spring.
In the case of flowers and grasses, they pollinate during summer and ragweeds produce pollen in early autumn.
Bear in mind these trivial but interesting facts so you would know how to prevent getting another allergic rhinitis episode. It could not be that deadly, but it would really feel uncomfortable. One more thing, who says complications do not kill?
