what is hay fever?
Hay fever is a term used for seasonal allergies that usually occur in the Spring, Summer or Fall. The name is inaccurate as no fever accompanies this condition, and the allergic response is not dependent on hay. Pollen, grasses and molds are the main types of allergens causing hay fever. Ragweed pollen is the most common cause in the U.S., affecting 75% of allergy sufferers. The type of pollen in the air depends on the growing season and the area of the country. Molds may be present year-round, especially in damp spaces of buildings and in furniture, mattresses and pillows. Mold also grows on dead leaves and releases spores into the air. You may be allergic to all molds, or just to molds that are present during one particular season. What are the symptoms of hay fever? Common upper respiratory symptoms include: • Sneezing • Runny nose • Itchy throat, nose or ear canals • Ear congestion • Itchy, watery eyes • Postnasal drainage Common lower respiratory symptoms may occur if you have ast
Simply put, it’s a misnomer. Doctors and researchers who specialize in allergies prefer the term “allergic rhinitis,” because hay is not the culprit and most allergies don’t involve any fever. About 40 million Americans suffer from the condition, whatever it’s called. Symptoms include stuffy and runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, wheezing and cough. “There are dozens of substances that potentially can cause trouble in those of us who are susceptible to allergies, but trees are usually the first on the scene during spring allergy season,” says Jay M. Portnoy, M.D., president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) and chief, section of allergy, asthma & immunology at Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics in Kansas City, Mo. “Rain can provide some initial relief by reducing tree pollen counts, but it also can spur the growth of grass and weeds later in the spring and in early summer, producing more pollen.” In many parts of the country, this spring saw
Hay fever is the name given to pollen allergy. Other terms for hay fever include “seasonal allergic rhinitis” or “pollinosis.” If you have hay fever, you are not alone. An estimated 26.1 million Americans have hay fever symptoms each year. 14.6 million Americans have asthma, which can often accompany hay fever. HOW HAY FEVER OCCURS Anyone can develop an allergy to a common substance, but those who do usually have inherited the tendency as a family trait. The sensitivity is developed after exposure to the substance. Hay fever is a good example of this process. During the seasons when plants are pollinating, everyone in the surrounding area is exposed. People with allergic tendency may develop sensitivity to any one or more of the pollens, although certain pollens are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than others. Pollens that are light enough to be wind-borne are what cause the problem for most hay-fever sufferers. Heavier pollens that are carried from plant to plant by bees and
Hay fever, more properly known as allergic rhinitis, is an irritation of the mucus membranes of the eyes and upper respiratory tract, leading to a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Numerous people suffer from hay fever, especially during seasons of heavy pollen, which is one of the leading causes of hay fever. Most people are able to treat their symptoms with dietary changes and mild medications, but sometimes the attention of a medical professional is needed to address the problem. If hay fever symptoms are severe or they continue year round, patients should consider seeing an allergy specialist. The term “hay fever” is a bit of a misnomer, and is probably related to reports of itchiness and irritation during haying season. However, these allergic reactions were more probably caused by flowers in the field than hay itself, and the skin irritation would have been from the sharp ends of cut grasses. Some people are allergic to specific grasses which are used for hay, such as rye, but the
What are the symptoms and signs? Hay fever is a misnomer. Hay is not a usual cause of this problem, and it does not cause fever. Early descriptions of sneezing, nasal congestion, and eye irritation while harvesting field hay promoted this popular term. Allergic rhinitis is the correct term used to describe this allergic reaction, and many different substances cause the allergic symptoms noted in hay fever. Rhinitis means “irritation of the nose” and is a derivative of rhino, meaning nose. Allergic rhinitis which occurs during a specific season is called “seasonal allergic rhinitis.” When it occurs throughout the year, it is called “perennial allergic rhinitis.” Symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, frequently include nasal congestion, a clear runny nose, sneezing, nose and eye itching, and excess tear production in the eyes. Postnasal dripping of clear mucus frequently causes a cough. Loss of the sense of smell is common, and loss of taste sense occurs occasionally. Nose bleedin
