Hay Fever | A Seasonal Allergy That Affects Millions

The hay fever allergy, also referred to as allergic rhinitis in medical terms, is the result of airborne pollens entering your body and triggering an immune system response. This allergic reaction is generally quite mild resulting in cold like symptoms. And while hay fever doesn't usually cause severe reactions like some other allergies, the fact that they persist especially during peak pollen season makes them troublesome to say the least. If you are one of the estimated 20% of the United States population that suffers each year, you are not likely thinking that this is a mild allergy. In fact, you are probably researching the many popular remedies that can help you deal with your symptoms. One thing is for sure: hay fever is no fun to experience, but having knowledge about this allergy can help you avoid a full blown attack when the pollen counts are at their highest.

Pollen is the main culpret when it comes to causing an allergic reaction but it is not the only allergen. Allergies to mold, dust, animal dander, and other similarly inhaled allergens can cause almost identical reactions in people. When a reaction ensues you will experience such symptoms as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, watery eyes, and more. This is why hay fever can be confused with a common cold, but there is one big difference. These allergy symptoms will often last much longer than a cold, usually at least a few weeks. If you feel any of these symptoms pop up around the same time each year you likely have seasonal allergies. You should ask your doctor to have a simple skin test done to see if there is an allergen like pollen causing you problems. This skin test consists of minute amounts of a purified allergen extract pricked into the surface of your skin, to see if it produces a small reaction. Should it be determined that you cannot have the skin test for certain reasons you can opt for a blood test as well.

It's Been Determined I Have Hay Fever, What Can I Do?

Your doctor will go over many of the common remedies to help you deal with your symptoms. Obviously, if you can avoid pollen during these times of the year you will have a lower chance of any type of allergic reaction. This can be very difficult since we breathe air everywhere we go, and these hay fever causing allergens are in full abundance during peak season. Here are a few tips to help you limit contact with pollen:

  • Keep your windows shut and use your air conditioning when it is hot and humid.
  • Try to stay indoors when the pollen counts are at their highest levels, usually when it is dry and windy.
  • Avoid the trees and flowers in your area whose allergens cause your symptoms to flair up.
  • Take a shower and put on some clean clothes after spending time outdoors. This will help get any pollen off of your body before the symptoms begin.

In addition to avoiding allergens, there are some types of medicine that can be taken to help with your hay fever symptoms. Antihistamines like Benadryl™ and Claritin™ can help temporarily cure your runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing fits. There are stronger medications that your doctor can prescribe for you should you need to go that route. Inhaled steroids are also sometimes prescribed by doctors in extreme cases of nasal blockage.

Immunotherapy or allergy shots have been known to work in some people that have had no luck with medicine. These shots are actually a series of injections that contain a small amount of the offending allergen, to trigger your symptoms. Over the course of time these shots will lessen your sensitivity to the allergen, causing your reaction to become much less pronounced during exposure. When the round of shots has finished you should be all set for a few years.

While hay fever is not the most dangerous of allergies, it can be very persistent and quite bothersome. Since we come into contact with pollen every year while breathing the air that is filled with it, it can cause a constant onslaught of cold like symptoms that can make your everyday life much more difficult. Learning about this allergy is the first step towards lessening its' grip on your lifestyle. Ask your doctor questions and have an allergy test performed should you have any recurring symptoms. Remember if you cannot avoid pollen enough to keep your reaction to a minimum, there are other options out there including medication. Once you have your situation under control you will be back to your old self in no time.