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Hay Fever
Overview:
Hay fever symptoms are an allergic response to pollens and other airborne substances that irritate the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and eyes. This results in itchiness and swelling of the affected area.
Signs and Symptoms:
Hay fever occurs seasonally (every Spring for example), and includes symptoms such as:
* Sneezing
* Itchy, painful nose, throat
* Nasal and sinus discharge
* Stuffy, runny nose
* Coughing
* Watery, itchy eyes
* Head and nasal congestion
Causes and Organs Affected:
An allergic reaction is a response to an allergen and develops when the immune system cannot tell the good from the bad and releases histamine to attack the harmless substance as if it were a threat. In the case of hay fever, the allergen is an airborne substance such as pollen from a particular plant. When the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth and air passages come into contact with the allergen, they become irritated and inflamed.
Risk Factor:
The following risk factors may increase your risk of developing hay fever:
* Family history of allergies
* Male gender
* Birth during pollen season
* Being a firstborn child
* Exposure to cigarette smoke during your first year of life
* Exposure to dust mites
Treatment:
There are a number of over-the-counter and prescription medications available that help relieve hay fever symptoms. They include pills, liquids, nasal sprays and eyedrops. Many people get the best relief from a combination of allergy medications. You may need to try several medications to identify what works best for you. Over-the-counter medications may be enough to relieve your symptoms; or, you may need a prescription from your doctor.
Other Information:
There's no proven way to avoid getting hay fever — but you can prevent allergy symptoms by avoiding the things that trigger your reactions.
While the evidence isn't clear yet, doctors think reducing a child's exposure to allergy-causing substances such as dust mites may help delay or prevent hay fever. This may be especially true in children with a family history of allergies.