Hay fever is commonly known as allergies and most people have suffered from it at one time or another. It is usually seasonal, occurring most often in the spring and the fall; however, it is possible for symptoms to last all year. It is caused by an allergic reaction to airborne materials, or allergens.
Outdoor allergens include tree pollen, grasses, and weeds and indoor allergens include dust mites, mold, or pet dander. The allergic reaction occurs as the body’s immune systems fights against the foreign materials that are ingested through our airways such as our nose, mouth, or even our skin.
The symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a cold, but without the fever. Hay fever symptoms lasts as long as the allergens are present; whereas cold symptoms only last 5-7 days. Symptoms also begin as soon as you are exposed to the allergen so you may begin to learn when the air is better and worse for your allergies.
The most common hay fever symptoms are an itchy and runny nose accompanied by sneezing, congestion, stuffy nose, facial pain due to sinus pressure, postnasal drip, decreased sens of smell and taste, itchy eyes that may feel or appear to be watery or bloodshot, itchy skin and mouth, difficulty sleeping due to discomfort, itchy ear canals and the sensation that your ears are plugged, and a general sense of fatigue.
It is important to be aware of the symptoms of allergies in order to treat them appropriately. The symptoms of a runny nose may also be associated with a cold; however, with allergies, the discharge is clear and thin whereas it may be thicker or discolored if the symptoms are caused by a cold or some sort of infection.
These symptoms are often treated with an over the counter product or a prescription allergy medicine depending on the severity of the symptoms. For people who have very severe allergies, allergy shots are available by prescription and they can help increase tolerance of various allergens.
It is also wise to take precautions so if you know you suffer from allergies, avoid air that you know has a high level of allergens such as a home with pets or avoid being outside on days when the pollen level is very high. Although there is no cure for allergies, allergy medicines have antihistamine and decongestants that provide relief from hay fever symptoms.