Hay fever, commonly known as allergic rhinitis, results in symptoms similar to a cold. Runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing, and sinus pressure are just a few of these symptoms. But hay fever isn’t brought on by a virus as a cold is. It is brought on by an allergic reaction to an indoor or outdoor chemical that the body mistakenly perceives as dangerous (allergen).
Pollen and dust mites are two typical allergens that may cause hay fever symptoms. Pet dander, which is the skin fragments that cats, dogs, and other animals with hair or feathers shed, may also trigger allergies.
In addition to making your life unpleasant, hay fever may negatively impact your performance at work or school and generally interfere with your daily activities. But you are not required to put up with bothersome symptoms. You can discover the best course of therapy and learn to avoid triggers.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Runny nose and congestion in the nose
- Red, watery eyes that itch (allergic conjunctivitis)
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Itchy throat, nose, or roof of mouth
- Postnasal drip, or mucus that drips from the back of your throat
- Skin behind the eyes that appears swollen and bruised (allergic shiners)
- Extreme exhaustion, often brought on by a lack of sleep
What causes hay fever?
The signs and symptoms of hay fever may be year-round or seasonal, beginning or becoming worse during a certain season.
Causes include:
- Tree pollen is a typical early spring allergen.
- Grass pollen is a typical late spring and summer allergen.
- Ragweed pollen is prevalent in the autumn.
- Cockroach feces and dust mites are year-round pests.
- Pet dander is annoying year-round, but during the winter, when homes are closed up, it may worsen symptoms.
- spores from seasonal as well as perennial indoor and outdoor fungus and molds
Do you have hay fever or the flu?
It might be challenging to identify which one you have since the symptoms can be identical.
| Condition | Symptoms | Onset | Duration |
| Hash fever | No temperature; runny nose with light, watery discharge | After being exposed to allergens right away | The duration of your exposure to allergens |
| Typical cold | Body pains, a low-grade fever, and a runny nose with watery or thick yellow discharge | One to three days after contracting the cold virus | 3 – 7 days |
When to see a doctor
Consult a medical professional if:
- You are unable to obtain respite from the symptoms.
- Medication for allergies doesn’t work and has bothersome side effects.
- You have another ailment, such nasal polyps, asthma, or recurrent sinus infections, that makes your hay fever symptoms worse.
Many individuals, particularly children, become used to the symptoms, so they may wait until they are severe before seeking treatment. However, receiving the appropriate care could provide relief.
Causes
Your immune system misclassified an innocuous airborne chemical as dangerous when you have hay fever. A material like this is an allergy. Your immune system creates immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to defend against this allergen since it is how your body defends itself. These antibodies alert your immune system to release histamine into your circulation the next time you come into touch with the allergen. The symptoms are brought on as a result of this response.
Risk Factors
Your chance of getting hay fever might be increased by the following factors:
- Having asthma or other allergies
- Having eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, which causes your skin to become inflamed and itchy.
- Having an allergic or asthmatic blood related, such as a parent or sibling
- Living or working in an environment where allergens, such as dust mites or animal dander, are present all the time
- Being around smoke and scents that are overpowering and cause the nose’s lining to itch
- Having a smoking mother for the first year of your existence
Complications
Issues that may accompany hay fever include:
Lessening of life’s quality. Hay fever might make it difficult for you to enjoy your hobbies and reduce your productivity. Many individuals miss work or school because of symptoms.
Bad sleep. Hay fever symptoms might make it difficult for you to go asleep or remain asleep. This may result in weariness and a general malaise (illness) sensation.
Deteriorating asthma. The coughing and wheezing associated with asthma might become worse.
Sinusitis. Long-lasting hay fever-related sinus congestion may raise your chance of developing sinusitis, an infection or inflammation of the membrane lining the sinuses.
Otitis media. Hay fever often contributes to middle ear infections (otitis media) in youngsters.
Prevention
It is impossible to prevent hay fever. The greatest thing you can do if you have hay fever is to limit your exposure to the allergens that make you sick. As prescribed by your doctor, take allergy medicines before being exposed to allergens.