Brenda Williams asked:

The medical term for hay fever is allergic rhinitis. It is very similar to asthma except for one important difference. If you have asthma, airborne particles cause an allergic reaction in your chest and lungs. If you have hay fever you experience this reaction in your eyes, nose, and throat.

The airborne irritant is called an allergen. When you are exposed to the allergen your body releases a chemical called histamine. This results in an inflammation in your sinuses, the fragile lining of your nasal passages, your eyelids and the surface layer of your eyes. Common allergens that trigger hay fever are dust mites, pollen, animal skin and hair, and feathers.

There are two types of hay fever, seasonal and perennial. If pollen is the only allergen that triggers your hay fever, you have seasonal allergic rhinitis, as pollen is not present in the air all year long. Your symptoms will only appear when you are in an area where plants produce pollen at the time of year when this happens. However if your hay fever is triggered by dust mites, animal hair or feathers, it would be perennial as these airborne particles are present year round. It is also possible to have both perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis if more than one allergen triggers your symptoms. People with allergic rhinitis will start to sneeze, develop a runny nose and red watery eyes whenever they are exposed to the allergen that triggers their attacks. The eyes also itch and rubbing them makes it worse. Sometimes the skin itches and the throat becomes dry. Wheezing also occurs. An allergy attack will be most severe for fifteen to thirty minutes. Most people are aware when they are allergic to pollen. However, they may not know what other allergens they react to. If this is a problem, physicians can perform skin tests to identify the allergens that trigger the attacks.

Once you know the substances you are allergic to, try to minimize your exposure to these irritants or avoid them altogether. There are many over the counter preparations designed to help hay fever sufferers. The most common are antihistamines. These can both prevent and stop an attack however they may need to be used for several days. Antihistamines have certain side effects such as dryness in the nose and throat and drowsiness. A person taking antihistamines should exercise caution about driving or operating machinery until they know how the medicine affects them. If over the counter medications are not effective, there are prescription medications available from a physician. Antihistamines only relieve the symptoms of hay fever. They do not cure it. However, if you have had a skin test and your doctor has identified the substance that triggers your attacks, it is possible to cure the underlying cause. The doctor can administer a series of desensitizing injections. These actually contain the allergen and are given in increasingly stronger doses to stop reactions. While they have been successful with some patients, they do not work for everyone.

Juliet Cohen asked:

Nonallergic rhinitis is a syndrome resulting from nasal inflammation that encompasses several distinct diagnoses. Nonallergic rhinitis may be diagnosed by means of clinical evaluation or by means of allergen skin testing or radioallergosorbent testing. This type of rhinitis is not as well understood. Although not triggered by allergy, the symptoms are often the same as seen with allergic rhinitis. The symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis are similar to those of hay fever (allergic rhinitis), but no allergy is involved. Nonallergic rhinitis affects approximately 17 million people in the U.S.- both children and adults. The distinction between allergic and nonallergic rhinitis can be difficult to distinguish clinically, but the distinction may be important for prognosis and treatment decisions. Many symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis are similar to allergic rhinitis, but are more chronic, occurring year-round, and are often worse in winter. Irritants such as fumes, fresh newsprint, strong odors, smoke and various types of dust may bring on symptoms. A diagnosis of nonallergic rhinitis is made after an allergy cause is ruled out. This often requires allergy skin or blood tests. A physical examination, allergy testing and a CT scan of the nose and sinuses are often used to assess and diagnose the condition of nonallergic rhinitis.

Causes of Nonallergic rhinitis

The common causes and risk factor’s of Nonallergic rhinitis include the following:

Blood vessels in your nose expanding (dilating), filling the nasal lining with blood and fluid.

Inflammation of the lining of the nose.

Smoke and other irritants.

Temperature or atmospheric changes.

Alcohol.

Psychological and Emotional factors.

Prolonged use of decongestant nasal drops or sprays.

Exposure to irritants.

Symptoms of Nonallergic rhinitis

Some sign and symptoms related to Nonallergic rhinitis are as follows:

Stuffy nose.

Congestion.

Mucus (phlegm) in the throat (postnasal drip).

Sneezing.

Postnasal drainage.

Itchy nose, throat, eyes, and ears.

Treatment of Nonallergic rhinitis

Here is list of the methods for treating Nonallergic rhinitis:

Use an over-the-counter nasal saline spray or homemade saltwater solution to flush the nose of irritants and help thin the mucus and soothe the membranes in your nose.

Antihistamines help to reduce the effects of histamine, which can decrease the symptoms of itching, sneezing, or runny nose.

Turbinate reduction is also used.

If your symptoms aren’t easily controlled by decongestants or antihistamines, your doctor may suggest a prescription corticosteroid nasal spray, such as budesonide (Rhinocort), fluticasone (Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex) or triamcinolone (Nasacort).

Pseudoephedrine-containing drugs (Sudafed, Actifed, others) and phenylephrine.

Surgery has a limited role.

Nikhil Abraham asked:

Allergic rhinitis

Also known as hay fever , this condition refers to an allergy to pollen , dust , pets etc. which results in sneezing / running nose , nasal stuffiness , watery and itchy eyes.

In most cases, symptoms are mild and at the most are inconvenient . But if its severe and persists for extended periods of time , it is a cause of concern and needs to be treated.

If the allergy is due to pollen , symptoms are seen in particular seasons depending on when the plant in question flowers. Allergies to other things could be throughout the year.

Diagnosis is by clinical symptoms. Skin/ blood allergen testing can also be done to pinpoint the cause for the allergy.

Though the obvious preventive step is to avoid exposure to the offending agent , in most cases since its environmental, it just cannot be avoided. Regular cleaning of living spaces and personal effects minimizes exposure to allergens.

Medicines for treatment fall into the following categories :

Antihistamines – these control symptoms such as sneezing , watering and itchiness of eyes etc. Though the older ones are cause drowsiness , the newer generation antihistamines have minimal sedative effects and are safe. There are even antihistamine nasal sprays which take effect fairly quickly.

Decongestants – are often combined with antihistamines in tablet form or are available as nasal sprays. Though these provide instant relief from nasal stuffiness, it is wise not to use them for more than a couple of days since long term administration is known to cause adverse changes in the nasal skin lining. This is also due to preservatives added to the solution. Also, with repeated use , the response decreases till there is no effect ultimately.

Intra nasal steroids are very effective in the treatment of symptoms that are present for long periods.. It is administered locally and hence is safe for long term use.

Other drugs that influence the allergic reaction cascade such as cromolyn and leukotriene receptor antagonists are also useful but need to be taken on a regular basis.

Oral/ injectable steroids are rarely given keeping in mind their long term effects and are only prescribed for short periods when symptoms are very severe.

Immunotherapy is also an option for those whose symptoms are severe, uncontrolled by medication , or if other allergic conditions (eg. asthma, eczema ) begin to develop.

Alisha Dhamani asked:


Avoid triggers. If you know you have an allergic reaction to peanuts, for example, do not eat them. Go out of your way to avoid foods prepared with or around peanuts.

Self-care at home is not enough in severe reactions. A severe reaction is a medical emergency. Do not attempt to treat or “wait out” severe reactions at home. Go immediately to a hospital emergency department.

If no one is available to drive you right away, call 911 for emergency medical transport. For more information on what to do in a severe reaction, see Anaphylaxis. Small reactions with mild symptoms usually respond to nonprescription allergy medications.

An oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). These may make you too drowsy to drive or operate machinery safely. They can affect concentration and interfere with children’s learning in school. These medications should be taken for only a few days. For rashes, an anti-inflammatory steroid cream such as hydrocortisone

For small, localized skin reactions, try cold, wet cloths or ice. Try applying a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel.

Generally, medication is the treatment of choice after the allergen is removed. For more information on removing environmental allergies from your home, see Allergy-proof your home.

Very severe reactions may require other therapy, such as oxygen for breathing difficulties or intravenous fluids to boost blood pressure in anaphylactic shock. Patients with very severe reactions usually require hospitalization.

Anti-allergy medications are of many types. The choice of medication and how it is given depends on the severity of the reaction.

For relief of long-term allergies such as hay fever or reactions to dust or animal dander, the following medications may be prescribed:

Long-acting prescription antihistamines, such as cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin), can relieve symptoms without causing sleepiness. They are meant to be taken for months at a time, even indefinitely. Most have to be taken only once a day and last for 24 hours.

Nasal corticosteroid sprays are widely prescribed for nasal symptoms not relieved by antihistamines. These prescription medications work very well and are safe, without the side effects of taking steroids by mouth or injection. These sprays take a few days to take effect, and must be used every day. Examples are fluticasone (Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), and triamcinolone (Nasacort).

In some people, cromolyn sodium nasal spray prevents allergic rhinitis, inflammation of the nose that occurs as an allergic reaction.

Decongestants can restore sinus drainage, relieving symptoms such as nasal congestion and swelling and runny nose and sinus pain (pain or pressure in the face, especially around the eyes). They are available in oral forms and as nasal sprays. They should be used for only a few days, as they may have side effects such as high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and nervousness.

Bryan Morris asked:


Approximately 50 million Americans have asthma, hay fever or other allergy related conditions.

You can spot them from across the room – tissue in hand, sneezing, sniffling, blowing their nose, tearing, and rubbing their eyes. This is a common presentation for millions of children and adults who suffer from the misery of allergies. If fortunate, these symptoms are but a minor inconvenience, but, if severe, they can significantly affect one’s quality of life.

Allergies involving the nose (rhinitis) and eyes (conjunctivitis) are almost always caused by contact of an offending “allergen” to the mucous membrane lining of the nose or eyes. Constant exposure for the allergic individual can cause daily symptoms, resulting in what your physician would diagnose as persistent, chronic, or perennial allergic rhinitis. Common allergens responsible for these chronic symptoms may include house dust mites, mold spores, indoor pets, cockroach allergen, or feathers.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis can also be acute or intermittent, presenting only when one is exposed to a relevant allergen. One of the most common presentations of allergies is seasonal allergic rhinitis or “hay fever”. As its name implies, symptoms will present during the pollen seasons, most typically in the spring during the tree and grass pollinating times, and in the fall when ragweed and other weed pollens are present.

You may want to consider a visit to an allergist if the following symptoms are present on a daily basis or seasonally:

• Itchy, swollen, red, tearing eyes

• Itching of the nose, ears, eyes, or throat

• Runny nose

• Sneezing

• Nasal congestion

• Persistent post-nasal drip

Allergic rhinitis is actually one of the easiest diagnoses for your physician to make. If the medical history suggests allergic rhinitis, an allergist will likely perform allergy testing in order to confirm the diagnosis, identify the offending allergen(s), and ascertain the severity of the allergy. The preferable testing method by most allergists is skin testing. This method allows the testing of multiple allergens simultaneously, with the results being immediately available. Alternatively, similar results can be obtained through a blood test called RAST or ImmunoCap.

Once the relevant allergens have been identified, an allergist will recommend a comprehensive treatment plan. This plan may include one or all of the following:

• Environmental control – minimizing exposure to allergens that you are sensitive to

• Pharmacotherpy – medicines including antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays, and other non-steroidal blockers of inflammation

• Immunotherapy or desensitization – extracts of allergens (pollens, dust, molds, etc.) are introduced into the body to induce an immunologic response, resulting in the eventual reduction or elimination of the allergic reaction. Historically, this form of treatment was available only by injection. Recent advances now allow the desensitization process to be given, in selected patients, by taking drops under the tongue, a process called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).

The most severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. The most common causes of anaphylaxis include the ingestion of a highly allergenic food, such as peanuts, tree nuts, and shell-fish, or a medicine. The sting of a yellow jacket, wasp, hornet, or honeybee, or the bite of a fire ant can also result in a severe allergic reaction in a susceptible individual.

The symptoms of anaphylaxis vary from person to person. For some, they may be mild and include only generalized itching and urticaria (hives). In more severe reactions, however, they can include involvement of the respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems, and can be fatal if not treated quickly and aggressively by the administration of epinephrine. Epinephrine can be self injected with the use of an EpiPen or Twinject.

Symptoms of full blown anaphylaxis may include:

• Difficulty breathing

• Hives or swelling

• Tightness of the throat

• Hoarse voice

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Diarrhea

• Dizziness

• Low blood pressure

• Cardiac arrest

• Shock

Those who have had anaphylaxis or are at risk for anaphylaxis should be evaluated by a board certified allergist for confirmation, identification of the allergen(s), and education regarding prevention, recognition, and self treatment of anaphylaxis.

There are many preventative measures allergy sufferers can take to protect themselves from potentially dangerous allergic reactions. Education is the best medicine. And, consider consulting an allergist for the most complete and up-to-date treatments available.

More detailed descriptions of common allergies and asthma can be found on the website, allergymedsites.com.

Michael Brown asked:


The woman who divorced her noisy partner told her friends that she was allergic to his snoring. What she didn’t realize is that his snoring was due to allergies.

The trumpeting noise associated with snoring is generated by airflow trying to push its way through an obstructed airway. While snoring is not an illness, it can be symptomatic of other health conditions, even an allergic reaction.

Allergic rhinitis is a health condition in which the membrane lining the throat and nose become inflamed. The inflamed membrane lining creates an obstruction in the airway, which in turn causes snoring. This condition is usually triggered by an allergic reaction to an inhaled substance. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is also known as hay fever.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually due to trees, grass and other plant pollens, and occurs mainly in spring and summer when pollen counts are high. Perennial allergic rhinitis lasts yearlong, and is generally caused by an allergy to mold spores, animal fur, feathers, dust mites or house dust.

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are quite clear:

* Sneezing

* Blocked or runny nose

* Red, watery, itchy eyes

* Itchy, irritated nose

* Headache

* Nosebleeds (not common)

* Snoring

If you believe that you are suffering from an allergic reaction, but you’re not sure of the cause, your doctor can perform a skin ***** allergy test. However, such tests are not fully conclusive, as some allergens will avoid identification.

In the event that you’ve pinpointed the cause of your reaction and taken steps to avoid it, your symptoms should subside very rapidly without further treatment. Some allergens, like pollen, are virtually impossible to avoid. In this case it may be necessary to take an anti-allergy drug to find relief.

Anti-allergy drugs in the form of nasal spray often contain sodium cromoglicate, a substance that blocks the allergy. Nasal sprays can be used as decongestants, but long-term use is not recommended. Corticosteroid drugs are often prescribed for hay fever, although their effectiveness is not instantaneous. Oral antihistamines may be used along with a decongestant to relieve inflammation and itching.

If allergic rhinitis is a persistent problem, your doctor might suggest immunotherapy, a procedure that desensitizes the immune system. Immunotherapy patients are injected with a series of gradually increasing doses of the allergen, to encourage the body to accept the substance without reacting. While immunotherapy can be an effective treatment for some allergy sufferers, it can take as many as four years for the treatment to be completed, and it is not always successful.

If you feel your snoring problem is caused by allergic rhinitis, there are several treatments available to help alleviate the problem. Try avoiding obvious allergens like furry animals. Use pillows and quilts with synthetic stuffing rather than feathers or down. Cover your mattress with a mite proof membrane. Remove soft furnishings and clean regularly to prevent dust collecting. Avoid visiting areas with long or newly cut grass. Purchase a pollen filter for your car and a HEPA filter for your home.

By avoiding the causes, you allergic reactions should diminish, and your allergy-induced snoring can disappear altogether.

Eddy Kong Ww asked:


An allergic asthma. It is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lung airways. It’s symptoms are made worse by exposure to an allergen (e.g., dust, mold, pollen, dust mite allergens and animal dander) to which the patient has been sensitized.

A simple sneeze could trigger allergic asthma or a simple cough could lead to that as well.

What are the symptoms of allergic asthma?

The symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma are the same. They include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness. These symptoms are often provoked by an identifiable trigger.

What factors can cause or trigger allergic asthma?

A family history of allergies is the most important predictor of whether a person will develop asthma. Environmental substances (allergens) can trigger an exacerbation – or attack – in patients with allergic asthma.

The allergens include tree, grass, and weed pollen, plus molds, animal dander, dust mites and cockroach droppings. Asthma attacks can also be triggered by viral infections, exercise, cold air and non-specific irritants.

How many people suffer from allergic asthma?

Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, of the 17 million asthma sufferers in the United States, 10 million (approximately 60 percent) have allergic asthma. Three million are children and 7 million are adults.

What is the relationship between allergies and allergic asthma?

Most people with asthma also suffer from other allergic disorders. In fact, research from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that at least 70 percent of asthmatics also suffer from allergic rhinitis or “hay fever.”

Nasal allergies and allergic asthma are both triggered by exposure to allergens, initiating a series of events that result in tightening of the airways, swelling of the lining of the airways, nose and eyes, and mucus production.

What is IgE and why is it important in allergic asthma?

IgE (Immunoglobulin E) is an antibody in the human immune system that plays a critical role in the allergic process.

When an individual is sensitized to an allergen, he or she produces an IgE antibody directed against that allergen. The IgE antibody attaches to mast cells.

When the individual is exposed to that same allergen again, the allergen binds to the IgE on the mast cell causing it to release substances such as histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which cause symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing and wheezing.

What treatments are available for people suffering from allergic asthma?

It is important for people with asthma to seek treatment. First, patients are evaluated to identify their specific allergic triggers and a program of allergen avoidance is recommended.

Asthma is treated with medications including anti-inflammatory agents, such as corticosteroids and anti-leukotrienes that decrease inflammation in the lungs, and bronchodilators used for relief of symptoms.

Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a program of injections that reduces allergic sensitization.

A new drug currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), known as anti-IgE, concentrates on short-circuiting the allergic reaction in the body before it even begins.

Anti-IgE therapy stops the allergic reaction before it starts, allowing the patient to avoid allergy symptoms that often trigger an asthma attack or lead to the development of asthma attacks.

Researchers are looking for targets for new forms of treatment. Future therapies may focus on cytokines, substances that maintain the chronic inflammation responsible for asthma.

Other research may also lead to the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs, which may retain the anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids but cause fewer systemic side effects.

As the more and more developing countries are emerging, more and more air pollution is arising, whether asthma or allergic asthma, the number of people having is rising.

They could have acquired this chronic illness rather than having it genetically as the environment is getting more and more dirtier.

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?

Tom alter asked:


Some people who inherit an allergy sensitive background develop certain allergies from time to time. These allergies may be due to many environmental factors and sometimes symptoms of asthma are also impersonated by them. Some common forms of these allergic reactions may be seasonal while others may be perennial in nature.

It is important to understand the differences between these and asthma so that they are never confused with asthma because their treatments as well the severity both differ from each other. Seasonal sneezing is called seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever in the common parlance. As against the name it is not caused because of hay but because of certain pollutants mainly certain kinds of pollen in the environment to which a person may be allergic.

In contrast to these people some others suffer with sneezing bouts, stuffy or running nose almost all the year round. These people suffer from perennial sneezing or perennial allergic rhinitis. When these people are exposed to cold wind, sunlight, dust and fumes the symptoms of the sneezing bouts precipitate.

In hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis the symptoms appear gradually or all of a sudden. This depends upon the degree of exposure to the offending allergen and also upon the degree to which the person may be allergic to them. When the symptoms appear gradually they are accompanied with mild sensation of itching and burning of the eyes and mild irritation in the nose or itching of the palate inside the mouth.

The symptoms usually appear in the early morning hours when the concentration of pollen grains is at its peak. The sneezing bouts are also accompanied with marked increase in the nasal congestion, throat congestion, running of the nose profusely and watery eyes. The nasal mucous membrane becomes highly sensitive with advancement of symptoms and any slight change in the nasal mucous membrane manifests in heavy bouts of sneezing.

These changes may be of very slight nature like appearance of a draft, strong odours, or even minute quantities of dust. In addition to these symptoms there may be appearance of other associated symptoms like general lethargy, loss of appetite, drowsiness and also pain in the body with slight rise in temperature.

In some patients in addition to the above mentioned conditions the symptoms of bronchial asthma also develop side by side making the conditions worse. These symptoms either develop right from the start of the other symptoms or may develop later as the disease advances. The worse part is that once a person starts with these symptoms he may continue with the symptoms of asthma even after the sneezing attacks stop.

This condition can be very easily diagnosed with the study of the case history of the patient. The tests usually undertaken to identify the pollens are skin tests with extracts of the pollen and scratch or intracutaneous tests giving positive reactions to the pollens simultaneously with a confirmation of the same through consultation of the pollen calendar.

Once the offending pollen is identified the effect of it can be controlled efficiently by hypo sensitization tests. Treatment with antihistamine tablets generally proves to be every effective. But it is only a temporary resort. The allergen has to be properly identified and then treated accordingly with preventive measures and drug therapy if need be.

Taking preventive action to overcome seasonal sneezing attacks is very important. For this undue exposure in a particular season should be completely avoided. Outdoor activities like tending to the garden or farming should not be done. The windows of the rooms should be kept closed as far as possible to avoid exposure to the allergen. In extreme cases using air conditioning may be the only way out.

The patients of perennial sneezing or perennial allergic rhinitis have sneezing, running nose, blocked or stuffy nose and nasal discharge almost all the year round. These people many – a – times are found to be snoring at night and are in the habit of breathing through the mouth. They have discomfort in the ears because of blockage in the ear tubes that open in the throat.

These are called Eustachian tubes. When the irritation persists for a long time a person tends to rub the nose vigorously and repeatedly. This leads to development of a crease across the nose called the allergic crease. Some paranasal sinuses may also get blocked leading to accumulation of secretions.

When the ear, nose and throat get infected repeatedly there may be accompanying fever. Exposure to irritants like cold wind, sunlight, dust, fumes and smoke all lead to aggravation of the symptoms. These symptoms usually occur in the early morning hours and then the symptoms may continue throughout the day and even at night. The symptoms in severe cases may resemble symptoms of asthma accompanied with bronchial spasm and suffocation.

The condition is generally diagnosed after studying the family history of allergy. The lab test of eosinophil count is a must to come to concrete conclusions. Skin test of pollen and other allergens is necessary in case the eosinophil count is normal. Treatment with antihistamines helps very limited people. Nasal drops may provide temporary relief but they should be used very sparingly as they work on the principle of cauterization, that is burning o the mucous membrane of the nose so that the nasal passage becomes insensitive. Hyposensitization works efficiently and surgery may be used in very extreme cases only.

Kevin Pederson asked:


Hay fever has been given many different names such as allergic rhinitis, pollinosis or nasal allergies. You can contract hay fever due to certain air borne dust particles exposed in the environment. These dust particles can be pollen, dander which can cause allergic reaction. Hay fever problem mainly begins from surroundings by which anyone can be affected. Staying away, from any of the allergy triggering factors is the best solution. Even though in this condition you do not have any fever it is still called hay fever.

The common stimulants which cause this problem are from outdoors as well as indoors. Being surrounded by pollen or animal dander can cause these allergies. It can also be due to the substances found in your home like dust mites, cockroaches, fleas, presence of a pet and many more. Without proper care or treatment it can hinder your day to day life.

The symptoms for hay fever rank from mild to severe. If you are suffering from a mild condition you will face problems like runny and itchy nose, watery eyes, itching, and sneezing. Severe symptoms can last for more than a week. A sense of taste and smell is changed, congestion – causing pain, swelling of eyes which may turn blue due to allergic reaction. This kind of a condition usually develops in an early age and with the passage of time it may worsen.

This condition causes sleeplessness and fatigue which can badly affect you. The chronic condition can cause severe problems like asthma and sinusitis. You may start developing other problems like breathlessness, wheezing and coughing. It may also lead to ear infection due to the fever and pain.

Precautions:

There are no specific remedies which would help. You can follow some precautionary measures to remove the possibility of hay fever.

-Clean your surroundings -Do not allow pets inside your bedroom -Be away from dust -Clean the AC -Have a ventilated room -Do not be in a humid environment

Remedy

Essentials oils are great source to get rid of Hay fever. Oils like basil, eucalyptus blue gum, lavender or peppermint can be used. Two or three drops from any one of these oils on a handkerchief can get you relief.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.