Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)
Important Details about Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)
What is hay fever?
Allergy rhinitis is commonly referred to as hay fever. Allergens are substances to which you are susceptible, and hay fever is the term used to describe the reaction that happens when your nose or eyes come into touch with them. Pollens, dust mites, molds, animal dander, and other materials can all be allergens. Some individuals may have swelling and inflammation in their noses’ inner linings due to exposure to these allergens, which can set off an immunological response (your body’s natural defence mechanism) and cause rhinitis. In Australia, hay fever is frequent, affecting 1 in 5 persons. In spite of its name, it doesn’t result in a fever or be brought on by hay.
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
A runny, itchy, or blocked nose, watery or itchy eyes, frequent sneezing fits, the urge to breathe through your mouth, frequent throat clearings, a persistent cold-like feeling, and snoring while you sleep are all common signs of hay fever.
A reduced sense of smell, frequent sinus infections in adults, recurrent ear infections (otitis) in children, difficulty concentrating, frequent headaches and/or facial pain, interrupted sleep that can result in daytime fatigue, and so on are some of the less common symptoms of hay fever. You may have allergic rhinitis or hay fever even if you just have some of these symptoms. Other illnesses may also be the source of some of these symptoms.
What causes hay fever?
Grass, weeds, and tree pollens, dust mites, dust, animal hair or skin flakes, molds, fungal spores, and air pollution are common allergens that can cause hay fever symptoms. Latex: Depending on the allergens you are susceptible to, you might only get symptoms of hay fever during specific seasons of the year, such spring or summer. Genes can also influence other allergies; such as hay fever. Your family members’ triggers might be similar to yours or different.
When should I see my doctor?
The majority of people can treat or alleviate hay fever on their own. But if any of the following describe your symptoms, you should see your doctor about possible treatments: persistent—defined as having symptoms for at least four days a week for four weeks or longer—and moderate to severe—defined as having symptoms that interfere with sleep and day-to-day activities like work, school, sports, and leisure.
By carefully listening to you describe your symptoms, your doctor can assist you. They will examine your workspace and home for potential triggers, gauge the severity of your symptoms, and determine how much your daily life is impacted by hay fever. They can then schedule additional testing to look into potential reasons and assist you in managing or preventing hay fever going forward. You can consult your pharmacist for advice if your symptoms are minor or sporadic.
How is hay fever diagnosed?
History: By describing your symptoms and when they happen, your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis of hay fever. They might also inquire as to what prescription or over-the-counter medications you currently take for hay fever. It’s also a good idea to document and discuss with your doctor the effects of hay fever on your quality of life, as well as any triggers you have seen at your home or place of employment.
Physical examination: Your doctor may perform the following physical examinations to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms: ask you to breathe through your nose; check your throat; look for signs of hay fever on your face, especially around your eyes and nose; and examine your nostrils with a special scope, which is a tiny camera attached to a long, thin tube. Testing for allergies: The primary method of determining whether a specific allergen is the source of your hay fever symptoms is allergy testing, which can be done via a skin prick test or blood test, for example. For this test, you can be directed to an allergy clinic or clinical immunologist.
A small amount of a suspected allergen will be applied to your skin during a skin prick test (typically on the forearm, upper arm, or back). The test-taking physician or nurse will then prick the area of your skin where the allergen was applied. In the event that you have an allergy to this particular allergen, the puncture site will swell and become itchy. Usually, this passes after two hours. While some people find skin prick testing uncomfortable, most find it bearable. The outcomes are accessible in 20 minutes.
Your medical history and hay fever symptoms should be taken into account before undergoing any allergy testing. A positive test result indicates that your body is sensitive to the allergen, not that the allergen is the cause of your symptoms. Overdoing allergy testing can occasionally lead to misunderstanding and unwarranted lifestyle adjustments to avoid a variety of allergens that might not be the real cause of your symptoms. Discuss the meaning of your allergy test results and whether you need adjust your way of living with your doctor.
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How is hay fever treated?
Depending on what you are allergic to and how severe your symptoms are, there are four major approaches to manage hay fever: Reduce your exposure to allergens, medications, nasal irrigation, immunotherapy, and other Reduce your contact with allergies. Reducing your exposure to the allergens that cause your hay fever could help ease symptoms if you know which ones do.
If your hay fever is being brought on by pollen, try these suggestions: Remain inside until after noon, particularly if there is a lot of pollen, it’s windy, or there has been a rainstorm. You may check the pollen level for today on the Pollen Forecast Network website. When you go home, take a shower, bring tissues, wear sunglasses, and rinse your eyes with water. If grass is your trigger, stay away from playing in, strolling on, or mowing it. You should also avoid camping on grass.
Use recirculating air conditioning in your car and keep your windows closed at home. Do not have outside picnics while pollen is present. Plan your vacations during the off-season or at the beach if possible. Investigate which plants are less likely to cause hay fever if you’re growing plants at home. Get rid of any plants or weeds that can aggravate your symptoms outside your bedroom window. Nasal irrigation: A stream of water blasted into the nose, known as a douche or saltwater nasal spray, can significantly relieve hay fever symptoms for certain individuals. These non-pharmaceutical methods are safe and frequently aid in symptom relief.
Medication: Although medications cannot treat hay fever, they can successfully lessen its symptoms. In most cases, their adverse effects are well tolerated. Consult your physician or pharmacist regarding the following medications: Nasal sprays known as intranasal corticosteroids are useful in reducing inflammation in the nasal lining brought on by hay fever or other ailments. For corticosteroid nasal sprays to be successful, they must be taken correctly and consistently. Consult your doctor to determine which of the various brands is best for you. To ensure that you are using your nasal spray appropriately, ask your pharmacist how to use it.
Antihistamines: These medications work by preventing the body from releasing histamine in reaction to an allergen, which is what causes hay fever symptoms. Antihistamines lessen allergic response symptoms in this way. They can provide localized relief from hay fever symptoms and come in the form of pills, syrups, nasal sprays, and eye drops. Use eye drops, for instance, if your eyes are watery or itching.
Combination medications: These include both an intranasal corticosteroid and an antihistamine. They provide the benefits of both medications. Decongestant sprays: For best results, apply them for a few days at a time to unclog and dry your nose. This is due to the fact that they may result in issues like “rebound congestion.” This is the point at which stopping the decongestant causes your symptoms to worsen.
Decongestant tablets: They also clear congestion and dry out the nose, but they can have side effects that are stimulating, such trembling, trouble falling asleep, anxiousness, or elevated blood pressure. To find out if decongestant tablets are right for you, especially if you have high blood pressure, talk to your pharmacist.
Immunotherapy: The goal of allergen-specific immunotherapy, sometimes referred to as “desensitization,” is to lessen the severity of the body’s allergic response to an allergen. In order for immunotherapy to function, a patient must be progressively exposed to higher dosages of allergen extracts, either orally or via injection. This is a lengthy course of treatment that should only be initiated by a trained medical professional, like a clinical immunologist.
What are the complications of hay fever?
Hay fever complications can include headaches, poor focus, sleep disturbances, and daytime fatigue. Frequent ear infections, including otitis media in children and sinus infections (sinusitis) in adults, can also be brought on by hay fever. It’s crucial to manage your nasal symptoms if you have asthma, as untreated hay fever can exacerbate asthma symptoms and raise the chance of getting asthma. This is true because inflammation of the airways is a common feature of both hay fever and asthma. One in five persons who have asthma also suffer from hay fever.
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