Hay Fever
What is Allergic Rhinitis/Hey Fever
Doctors call it allergic rhinitis. Most call it hay fever. By whatever name, it’s responsible for sneezing, itching, a clear runny nose, postnasal drip, dark circles under the eyes, and fatigue. Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction to inhalants such as pollen, dust mites, animal dander and mold. It can be seasonal, caused by trees, grasses and weeds, or it can be year-round, most often caused by an allergy to the dust mite, a microscopic creature that thrives on humidity and human skin. Hay fever isn’t a life-threatening illness; however, it is serious enough to interfere with daily life for the 20 million Americans who are susceptible to it. The costs are high — 2 million days of restricted activity each year, 6 million days of bed rest, 3.5 million lost work days, 2 million physician visits. Although hay fever can develop at any age, it usually starts before age 20. Because exposure is important, you often have to experience a particular pollen for several seasons before you develop an allergy to it. This means that many newcomers don’t develop classic allergic symptoms until they’ve lived here for several years. Allergic rhinitis sufferers can be helped by both avoidance techniques and medications which vary depending on your specific allergic symptoms. BACK TO TOP
Symptoms
The symptoms vary from person to person and often involve sneezing, runny/blocked nose,red, watery, and itchy eyes, and an associated itchy throat. Very often there is also a wheezy chest, which reflects a degree of asthma. Unfortunately the peak pollen time is the early summer when school and university examinations take place. As a result sufferers find it difficult to revise and to perform well in the actual examinations. BACK TO TOP
Causes
Different pollens are present at different times of year and thus the time that you are affected depends on the pollen to which you are allergic. Other factors which may aggravate the situation are the weather and the air quality. BACK TO TOP
Treatment
There are various treatments, some of which are available over the counter from a pharmacist.Antihistamine tablets or medicine reduce the effect on the body of one of the main chemicals released by the allergic response.
There are nasal sprays which contain steroids and other substances which reduce the local inflammatory response in the nose. There are also eye drops which have similar effects on the eye. Those people with asthmatic symptoms need treatment as for asthma.
Occasionally the doctor may consider it necessary to prescribe either tablets containing steroids, or an possibly an injection. These can have more serious side effects than the other treatments, so the possible benefits have to be weighed against the possible disadvantages.There are currently thought to be arguments in favor of the tablets rather than the injection.
There are injection treatments to desensitize patients against the substance to which they are allergic. Unfortunately these can bring on serious reactions, and can only be given under close hospital supervision, and are thus hardly ever used. BACK TO TOP
Prevention
There are several things you can do to lessen symptoms by avoiding contact with the allergens,these include:
- In the summer stay inside between 5 P.M. and 7 P.M., when pollen counts are usually high. Keep windows and doors closed, especially at these times and when sleeping.
- Use an air conditioner or filter when possible, at home, work, and in the car, to remove pollen and other allergens from the air.
- Damp dust and vacuum your home regularly, to minimize the presence of pollen and dust.
- Airing bedclothes in direct sunlight is also helpful.
- Be aware of the pollen count (usually broadcast along with the weather), and avoid areas of high pollen concentration, eg long grass, lawn mowing's, and trees if allergic to these. If you need to work in these environments, consider wearing a mask and goggles.
- Avoid unnecessary extra irritants such as smoke and chemical fumes.
- Using dust mite covers for mattresses and pillows.
- Removing a pet from the home, or at least from the bedroom.