Hay Fever

About Hay Fever

Hay fever key facts..

• Hay fever can be triggered by seasonal pollen, such as grass, and other triggers, such as animal fur and dust mites.
• You can avoid hay fever by avoiding allergens and taking medications prescribed by a qualified health provider.
• To perform an allergy test for hay fever, you should consider your history and symptoms of hay fever. Hay fever blood test is not suitable for patients with skin conditions such as eczema and people under medications such as antihistamines.

Hay fever is an allergy to pollen. There are 3 types of pollen that are active at different times of the year:

1. Tree pollen (from late March to mid May)
2. Grass pollen (from mid May to July) and
3. Weed pollen (from June  to September).

Most people react to grass pollen, but many may be allergic to more than one type  of pollen.

Hay fever can also be referred to as allergic rhinitis. Hay fever has symptoms that resemble those of cold fever. The difference between hay fever and cold fever is that the main cause of hay fever is an allergen while cold fever is caused by a virus.

Pollen is a fine powder, like microscopic grains, released by plants during their reproductive cycle. This pollen is transported by either wind or insects. They contain proteins that can inflame or irritate parts of your body like the eyes, nose, or throats.

Symptoms of hay fever can hinder good performance at work and school; however, you can avoid them by accessing the best hay fever treatment in well-stocked pharmacies.

Differences between hay fever and the common cold

 Hay fever

• You experienced no fever
• Runny nose with thin, watery discharge
• No muscle aches
• Itchy, red, and watery eyes due to allergens
• Hay fever occurs immediately. You are exposed to allergens, hence the immediate notice of the symptoms.

Common cold

• You experience a mild to severe fever, depending on the severity of the common cold
• Runny nose with thick yellow discharge
• Muscle aches
• A common cold can take up to three days before you experience its symptoms
• Red and watery eyes

How is hay fever diagnosed?

Hay fever can be diagnosed in two ways: a blood test for allergy and through a  physical examination.

To carry out a physical examination, the doctor may

• Examine your throat, nostrils and face
• Request that you breathe through your nose

Hay fever blood test

• A hay fever blood test is performed through an Intradermal test or skin prick. Different samples of allergens are placed on your skin forearm or back of your arm one at a time

The doctor pricks or scratches your skin with a needle to test which type of allergen you are allergic to. This helps in introducing the allergen to your bloodstream. If your skin appears red, itchy, and irritated after 15 minutes, the test proves that you are allergic to the given allergen.

How to prevent hay fever?

Some of the ways to prevent hay fever

• Avoid environments that expose you to allergens
• Taking medications for hay fever and following your prescriber's instructions
• Wear sunglasses when performing outdoor activities to protect your eyes from pollen
• Ensure to close your house and car windows during the summer, spring, spring, and early fall when pollen is high
• Change your pillowcases and mattress covers often to protect your skin from dust mites

Hay fever is caused by the body's over sensitivity to pollen. Pollen triggers the release of histamine in the body, which causes hay fever symptoms.

It is not clear as to why people are allergic to pollen, however some factors make you more likely to be allergic such as parents suffering from hay fever, having other allergies, suffering from asthma or eczema and being exposed to tobacco at an early age.

What triggers the immune system's response in hay fever?

Your body's immune system reacts to an allergen by treating it as an intruder when you inhale it through your nose or mouth.

To protect your body, your immune system releases a natural chemical known as histamine in your bloodstream to protect your body against an allergen.

When histamine is released, the mucous membranes in your nose or mouth get inflamed and itchy as they inject the antigen from your body.

Other factors that make you more likely to be allergic to hay fever include:

• Exposure to smoke or strong odor environments that interfere with the lining of your nose membranes An example is a manufacturing factory environment or living around a sewage area or dumpsite.
• Environments that expose you to allergens like dust mites and animal dander.

What is the best treatment for hay fever?

Some of the best medications for hay fever include:

• Nasonex
• Fexofenadine Tablets, 120mg
• Dymista Nasal Spray
• Beconase Aqueous Nasal Spray

What are the signs and symptoms of hay fever?

These are symptoms commonly associated with hay fever:

• Frequent sneezing
• Itchy or red eyes
• Scratchy or itchy throat or mouth
• Runny nose

Other Symptoms:

1. Postnasal Drip: You experience postnasal drip when mucus runs at the back of your throat

2. Coughing: Persistent cough as a result of irritation

3. Allergic Shiners: This is when the skin under your eyes appears bruised or swollen

4. Fatigue: Often due to insufficient sleep

5. Headaches: Pain or discomfort in the head region

6. Anosmia: Loss of smell

7. Blocked Sinuses: Resulting in facial pains

8. Earaches: Pain or discomfort in the ears