Hay Fever Info

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is a type of allergic condition experienced by millions of people around the world. It's estimated that 20% of people are afflicted in some form or another. It is responsible for many days of work lost and decreased productivity for adults and children alike. But exactly what is hay fever? How do you know if you have it? And what can you do to treat your symptoms?

What is Hay Fever?

Hay fever is a condition where your immune system responds inappropriately to some sort of trigger, called an allergen. When most people think of hay fever, they think pollen. This could be pollen from grass, weeds, or trees. One of the most common pollens that bothers people is ragweed. But, there are a number of other substances that can trigger hay fever. Things like pet dander and mold or even dust mites are all culprits. When your body comes in contact with one of these substances that you are allergic to, it treats the substance as an intruder and releases antigens in an attempt to protect you from disease. One specific type of antibody that is created is called immunoglobulin E (IgE). When this is created, it results in the body releasing histamine. Histamine is an inflammatory mediator, and in turn produces the effects that we know as symptoms. These symptoms range generally involve an irritated nose in some form. Though it will often be congested, a watery, runny nose is common too. In addition, many people experience things like itchy or watery eyes, a sore throat, sneezing, sinus pressure, and difficulty breathing - which is often due to asthma.

Hay Fever or a Cold?

The symptoms of hay fever are very similar to a common cold. Also, due to the fact that a person's allergies can change over time, it may be difficult to tell which is responsible for the symptoms you are experiencing. Here are a few ways you can tell what the root cause of the problem is.

• If you are running a temperature, it isn't allergies, you have an illness. Contrary to its name, hay fever (or other allergies) don't actually cause a fever.
• Should your symptoms get triggered immediately after going outside in the spring or coming into contact with a substance that causes hay fever, it is more likely you have allergies.
• Also, if you have aches and pains all over your body, it's probably a cold.
• When you seem to get "sick" at certain times of year - especially spring and early fall. That is a sign you have hay fever.

What Can You Do to Treat Hay Fever?

Thankfully, there are a number of ways to treat hay fever effectively. In addition, there are several steps you can take to reduce your exposure to pollen and other allergens. In fact this should be the first step, it is in reality the simplest as well. Taking some steps to allergy proof your house will go a long way.

There are a number of medications available in both prescription and OTC varieties. Anti-histamines are probably the most popular, these work by blocking your bodies production of histamine. Additionally, many people find that steroidal treatments are very effective in overcoming the effects of seasonal allergies. If you find that these no longer work or are not strong enough you can talk to your doctor about other, stronger medications.

In addition, there are several home remedies that have found favor with allergy sufferers. Honey, garlic, and ginger are often claimed to help lessen symptoms. Finally, if these methods are not successful and you still can't find relief you might talk to your doctor about immunotherapy, or allergy shots. They can be somewhat of a hassle, but have a very high success rate and some people even enjoy a complete freedom from their allergies after an extended treatment period.