Content Starts Here

Hay fever and perennial allergic rhinitis

print Health amd Nutrition > Diseases > H

Hay fever and perennial allergic rhinitis

Reviewed by Professor Brian Lipworth, professor of allergies and respiratory medicine

What is hay fever?

Hay fever, otherwise known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to airborne substances such as pollen that get into the upper respiratory passages - the nose, sinus, throat - and also the eyes.

What's in a name? The name hay fever is misleading because symptoms don't just occur in autumn when hay is gathered and never include fever.

Why do you get hay fever?

Different microscopic substances get into the nose and cause the body to produce antibodies and release histamine.

Histamine irritates the upper respiratory passages, making them swell and producing the typical hay fever symptoms.

A tendency to suffer allergies is often hereditary. The most common causes of hay fever are:

tree pollen such as elder, elm, hazel and especially birch (spring hay fever).

grass pollen (summer hay fever).

mugwort and hybrids such as chrysanthemum (autumn hay fever).

house dust mites and mould fungus - particularly associated with perennial allergic rhinitis.

What are the symptoms of hay fever?

Itchy and watery eyes.

Frequent sneezing, a bunged up or runny nose.

Itching on the roof of the mouth.

Coughing.

Wheezing or a burning sensation in the throat.

What can cause hay fever?

The pollen to which you are allergic.

Genetic predisposition associated with other atopic diseases, eg eczema or asthma.

How does the doctor make the diagnosis?

Often it will be enough to tell the doctor when, where, and how your symptoms occur. Skin tests and specific blood tests can be used to confirm what exactly you are allergic to.

Good advice

If your hay fever is caused by various pollens, try to keep doors and windows shut during the pollen season.

Let someone else mow the lawn.

Check pollen forecasts. Try to avoid outdoor activities if very high.

In the long term

Hay fever sufferers are more vulnerable to other allergic respiratory diseases, eg asthma, and sleeping difficulties that can lead to chronic fatigue (because of blocked nasal passages and snoring).

If you suffer from hay fever you should do whatever you can to avoid substances that provoke hypersensitivity. Otherwise you will increase the risk of developing other, more serious, allergic diseases.

Symptoms can be controlled through treatment, but you can't get rid of the allergy itself. However, hay fever is usually more of a nuisance than a harm to health, and the symptoms of many people improve over time.

Go To Next Page>>

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use

© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved