Hay Fever

What is hay fever?

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an inflammation of the nasal lining caused by an allergy to the pollen of some trees and types of grass. 

Causes of hay fever:

Hay fever is caused by allergy to types of pollen that are airborne, like the pollen of some trees and grasses.
Each type of pollen is released by the plant in a specific season of the year that is why symptoms are seasonal.
The symptoms are more likely to be severe on windy, dry days because in humid, rainy weather the pollens are drenched and fall to the ground instead of being carried in the wind to where the allergy sufferer is.
In spite of what the name “hay fever” implies, it is not caused by hay, the condition was named so because symptoms appeared to coincide with haying season.

Symptoms of hay fever:

1. Itching of the nose and mouth and eyes, or the skin wherever the pollen comes into contact with the allergic person.
   
2. Congested, runny nose and sneezing.
   
3. Fever and coughing.

Prevention of hay fever:

The best way to prevent hay fever is to avoid contact with the pollen.

1. Not to leave home during the day time in seasons where the pollen count in the atmosphere is high.
   
2. Using a face mask, or breathing through a wet towel if a mask is not available.
   
3. Vaseline applied in small amounts around the nostrils and the eyes might trap the pollen before it accesses the body.
   
4. Avoid hanging clothes outside to dry in high pollen season, rather use a dryer machine
   
5. Installing a humidifier will decrease the percentage of pollen that remains suspended in the air, because wet pollen will drop to the ground.

Treatment of hay fever:

Like other allergies, hay fever is caused by the histamine that is released in the body in response to allergens. So anti-histamine drugs would obviously be the first line of treatment.

1. Anti-histamine drugs
   
2. Steroid nasal sprays  might control the symptoms with or without  anti-histamines .
   
3. Nasal decongestant drops also help the symptoms .