Getting To Know More About The Seasonal Hay Fever
Hay fever is a form of allergy affecting people sensitive to its allergens during the summer season. Its medical term is seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis is an allergy that attacks vulnerable people during the summer and the onset of the spring seasons.
Allergies as such is caused by inhaling pollen or by entry of pollen to an eye. This will then irritate the eye’s and nose’s sensitive linings. Consequently, inflammation or swelling follows such occurrence.
Causes of hay fever
Pollens usually come from trees like oak and silver birch. Pollen from those specified trees are the most common cause of reported or recorded cases of hay fever and other related allergies that occur during the onset of spring.
Grasses that pollinate during the summer until about the onset of spring, like nettles, weeds, mugwort and dock are also attributed to several cases of hay fever.
Allergies to several kinds of fruits, nuts and some vegetables can also cause swollen and itchy mouth and throat that may eventually lead to symptoms for hay fever.
Studies and medical experts have identified several fruits, nuts and vegetables which may cause such conditions. These include peanuts, tomatoes, cherries, peaches, apples and carrots.
Though, cases of hay fevers that are pinpointed to such factors aare rather rare and limited in number and severity.
Symptoms of hay fever
A person who is affected by an allergy called hay fever will experience manifestations like frequent and unusual sneezing, watery or teary eyes and runny nose.
Other symptoms are more prevalent and indicate severity of the hay fever attack. Some of these serious forms of symptoms include itchy eyes, ears and mouth. The itchiness would surely be discomforting and will cause uneasiness making the hay fever victim feel greater tension.
People under a hay fever attack will also feel extraordinarily unwell. That general feeling of unwellness is also coupled with unusual reduction or lack of concentration. Focus will be a hard word and concept for hay fever victims.
The onset of hay fever may start to develop and reach its full scale when the person reaches or enters his or her teenage years. Hay fever allergy and attacks are also more likely to affect people aged between 20 years to 30 years.
Treatment for people with hay fever
There are a number of potent and effective treatments and medications that will sufficiently curtail or control hay fever.
Such medications include especially prescribed medical tablets and nasal sprays. Drugs in tablet forms for hay fever will usually aim to relieve or soothe itchiness occurring in the nose and throat, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing.
Antihistamines are the most common medication for allergies. Since hay fever is a form of allergy, antihistamine will be a perfect drug against it.
Eye drops are also available over-the-counter to relieve eye discomfort while anti-inflammatory sprays will surely reduce swelling and inflammation of the infected eye or nose lining.
Preventing hay fever
The most effective measure to avoid the onset of hay fever is by avoiding contact or exposure to the irritants or allergens that cause it.
People with hay fever history should try to stay indoors and install air conditioners in their homes and rooms especially during summer and spring, when pollen are spread all throughout the outdoor air.
Allergic Colds
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.
Allergies And Snoring
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.
