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 Hay fever is a form of seasonal allergic rhinitis and is sometimes also called rose fever. Hay is not a major cause and fever is not a symptom, however hay fever affects 20 percent of people and up to 40 percent of children are affected.
Hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, causes sufferers to show the following symptoms;
Runny Nose
Swelling in the nasal membrane causes a clear watery liquid to be prduced, which can run constantly or intermittently from the nose. Clearing the nose can help but it only provides temporary relief. Sometimes the liquid can run to the back of the throat causing further discomfort, together with dryness and coughing.
Itching
If the inside of the nose becomes irritated it will feel itchy and result in the sufferer holding the nose, or moving the nose to find relief.
Sneezing
Sneezing, especially in the morning, is caused by an allergic reaction in the nose linings and nerve endings. Sneezing can continue for some time and prove to be very draining for the sufferer as relief is hard to find.
Congestion
Congestion and stuffiness is produced due to swelling in the nose lining. As the nose is blocked the hay fever sufferer will breath with their mouth, causing a dry throat and subsequent coughing. Snoring at night can be experienced, which affects sleep causing a person to feel tired during the day.
What causes Hay Fever?
Seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is caused by outdoor mold or pollen, produced by grass, trees and weeds in such an amount that it affects sensitive people. Grass, tree and weed pollen is easily carried by the wind as it does not weigh much and can be found in high concentrations at certain times of the year.
Depending on the geographic location, pollen counts can vary at certain months, with some forms of pollen having higher counts in summer months and others being higher at the end of the year.
Pollen causes linings in the nose to release chemicals, such as histamine, which results in inflammation of the nose. The inflammation causes increased mucus production and swelling.
Treating Hay Fever
The best way to treat hay fever is to avoid the triggers as much as possible. Controlling the indoor air environment and reducing exposure to pollen outdoors is the most effective form of relief.
The grass pollen that makes life a misery for hay fever sufferers could also provide a solution to it - using immunotherapy.
Sufferers have an immune system blip which
means T-cells in their nose, lungs or skin interpret pollen as a threat and release histamine to repel it.
It's histamine that triggers the runny nose and itchy eyes, which is why anti-histamines - to block it - make a key weapon.
Immunotherapy is used to head off this histamine reaction by reprogramming the body's immune system through exposure to tiny amounts of an allergen.
It teaches the T-cells that the allergen is not a threat. Taking small amounts of grass pollen in tablet form over six months helps make the body less sensitive to pollen. It could give patients the opportunity to treat themselves safely and effectively at home.
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