Raily Arena asked:


Hay fever, also known as Allergic Rhinitis, is a common form of allergy that people have been suffering from for many decades.  Health experts estimate that about 50 million people chronically suffer from this type of nasal allergy.  If you frequently experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, postnasal drip, red, swollen eyes and frequent colds, you could have Allergic Rhinitis.  Oftentimes, it takes only small particles such as pollen to affect the human body in many ways.  Some of these effects include:

- Throat itchiness that may be intermittent or continuous

- Laryngitis or hoarseness due to pollen affecting the larynx

- RAD or Reactive Airway Disease, a prolonged respiratory irritation characterized by difficulty breathing, chest tightness, wheezing and coughing

- Asthma attacks – often times, your doctor will diagnose RAD before he diagnoses asthma

- Postnasal drainage, which could lead to sore throat because of fluids flowing into and irritating the throat

- Nasal salute, particularly in young children; characterized by a red crease across the nose due to constant rubbing, wiping and scratching

- Allergic conjunctivitis, which can lead to redness, itchiness and teary eyes

- Darkened areas around the eyes

- Headaches

- General fatigue

Why symptoms occur

When exposed to foreign substances such as allergens, the immune system becomes hyper-sensitive and the body reacts.  This is the same kind of reaction that happens when the human body is invaded by microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses.  Once the body is exposed to these types of allergens, it produces substances called histamines which causes inflammation, production of mucus and other symptoms associated with hay fever.

Causes of hay fever

Although pollen is the most common cause of allergies that lead to hay fever, there are other substances that can trigger symptoms as well.  These include dust, molds, pet dander, insects and food.  Although hay fever symptoms can easily be detected, proper diagnosis by a qualified physician is the best way for correct assessment of the condition.

Testing for hay fever allergies

The most common method of determining allergies is skin testing, wherein a minuscule amount of allergen is introduced into the skin to produce a reaction.  The doctor will then try to determine if cross-sensitivity is present, such as when allergies are caused by varying substances with similar protein structures.

Controlling symptoms

As a first step, people with allergies are adviced to avoid or at least minimize contact with substances and items that may trigger an attack.  It’s also important to be aware of your environment and to perform tasks necessary to reduce allergens, avoid work that might aggravate your sensitive skin and protect your body.  With the correct knowledge and treatment regarding Allergic Rhinitis, there is no reason why it cannot be managed efficiently.

Charlene J. Nuble asked:


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.

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?