Find A DoctorWhat is hay fever?
Hay fever is a global health issue and the number of people affected is rising. It can make you feel miserable and affect your performance at work or school. Hay fever can affect your sleep, which can make you feel tired the next day.
Let’s take a look at what hay fever is, find out what causes it and discover what hay fever treatments are available.
So, what is hay fever then?
Hay fever is a common allergic reaction to pollen, the fine powdery dust from grasses, trees and weeds. If you have hay fever, you may be allergic to only one, or to several types of pollen. Hay fever is a type of allergic rhinitis, an inflammation of the tissue lining the nose.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis
Hay fever is often referred to as seasonal allergic rhinitis. Seasonal because it’s connected to the flowering period of specific plants.
However, the lines of the changes of the seasons are becoming less defined as we all travel around the world more. In certain parts of the world, some plants produce pollen all year round. And climate change is modifying the time and length of the pollen season.
Did you Know..?
- The term hay fever was first used early in the 19th century to describe a condition believed to be a form of a summer cold. Symptoms coincided with the hay harvest so it was assumed that hay was the underlying cause.
- Before the Industrial Revolution, hay fever was not common at all.
- Today, 10-30% of adults and up to 40% of children in the US have allergic rhinitis. And these numbers are rising. Pollen allergy is one of the major causes of allergic rhinitis.
What causes hay fever?
Hay fever is when your immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. We’re talking about microscopic substances in the air you breathe. And they can cause an allergic reaction.
What is allergic rhinitis?
That's because your body misinterprets these harmless substances as dangerous and tries to get rid of them. Your immune system produces antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) specific to the trigger it’s trying to fight. These IgE antibodies tell other cells to release certain chemicals, including histamine. And it’s those chemicals that cause the annoying symptoms.
Hay fever caused by pollen is naturally dependent on the flowering season of the respective plants. Depending on the region and the climate, pollen is released from early spring, through the summer and even into the autumn. But you’re typically more likely to experience symptoms during late spring and early summer.
If you experience hay fever-like symptoms all year round, this might be perennial allergic rhinitis caused by an allergy to dust mites or pet dander. Talk to your health care provider about your symptoms to find out exactly what you’re allergic to and what possible treatments are available.
Types of pollen
Plants release pollen as part of their reproductive cycle. Some pollen is carried by the wind so large quantities can travel long distances. This can affect people far from the pollen source, although it typically affects people who are nearest to the plant or tree it came from.
Most flowering plants, such as roses and lilies don’t release pollen into the air. These types of plants have waxy pollen, which is carried from plant to plant by insects. Waxy pollen doesn’t usually trigger allergic reactions.
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
Typical hay fever symptoms include:
- Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose
- Post-nasal drip (the feeling of mucus moving down the back of your throat)
You might also experience these hay fever symptoms:
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Cough
- Tight chest or wheezing
- Sinus inflammation/pain
Hay fever or cold?
The symptoms of hay fever and those of a common cold are very similar. How can you tell what it really is, hay fever or a cold?
Well, colds are due to infections with viruses. In hay fever, there is no infectious bug. Your body is reacting to allergens in the air.
There are two key factors to tell the difference: How quickly the symptoms develop and how long they last.
Cold:
- Often develops over a few days
- Usually lasts about 1 week
Hay fever:
- Can appear quite suddenly
- Usually persists for longer or keeps coming back.
As with all allergies speak to your health care provider about your symptoms. That way you can find out if it really is hay fever, and which types of pollen trigger your allergy.
Allergy testing
Your health care provider will usually ask you about your symptoms, and when and where they appear. Allergies are often inherited. So, you may be asked if there are any known allergies in your family. A skin prick test or a blood test might be necessary to determine which allergens are causing your symptoms.
How do I manage hay fever?
You don’t have to put up with annoying symptoms. As for most allergies, there are three main ways to help manage your hay fever:
- Avoiding your triggers
- Treating acute symptoms
- Long term relief
You can mix and match and find what combination works for you.
Avoiding allergens in the air – is that even possible?
Many different types of pollen can cause hay fever. And pollen levels affect everyone differently. Trees, grasses and weeds all pollinate at different times. Knowing exactly which pollen you are allergic to can help you plan for that particular pollen season.
Your allergy symptoms may be particularly bad at a certain time of the day. For example, when the species of pollen you are allergic to is at its highest. Weather also plays a role. More pollen moves through the air on hot, dry and windy days.
Having a pollen calendar or pollen and weather forecast is really useful when you have hay fever. It means you can find out exactly when pollen is present where you are. And then you can adjust your daily routine: like when you spend time outdoors for example.
Simple things you can do to keep pollen out of your home
Reducing the amount of pollen that gets into your home is key to managing your symptoms:
- Keep windows and doors closed whenever you can.
- Air your rooms when the pollen count is low.
- Consider installing air conditioning or using special air purifiers.
- Wash your hair before going to bed and leave your clothes outside your bedroom.
- Don't dry laundry outside. Use a tumble dryer or hang your laundry inside your home instead.
Medication for treating hay fever
There are several types of medication available for hay fever, for example:
- Antihistamines
- Corticosteroids
- Decongestants
Antihistamines and corticosteroid nasal sprays are the two most commonly used.
Antihistamines for treating hay fever
Antihistamines come in many shapes and forms such as tablets, nasal sprays and eye drops. Antihistamines work by blocking the action of histamine. Histamine is a chemical messenger our bodies produce in response to what it sees as a threat. Our bodies react to the perceived threat with sneezing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes.
What is allergy
immunotherapy?
You may find that one particular antihistamine works better for you than others. Seek help from your doctor or pharmacist to find an antihistamine that suits you.
Corticosteroids for treating hay fever
Corticosteroids are used as therapy for the management of many inflammatory and immune medical conditions. They are among the most widely used drugs in the world. Corticosteroid nasal sprays have been shown to be very effective for treating hay fever if used correctly.
Corticosteroids are also called glucocorticosteroids, glucocorticoids or just steroids. It’s important to know that corticosteroids are not the same as the anabolic steroids, used by athletes and body builders to enhance performance.
If symptoms can’t be controlled with over the counter antihistamines or nasal steroids, your health care provider may consider prescription-only tablets, nose sprays or eye drops.
Decongestants for treating hay fever
Decongestants, taken either as pills or as a nose spray, can be helpful in providing short term relief from hay fever. But these should not be used for more than a few days.
Side effects of hay fever treatments
Side effects are possible with any of the medications used to treat hay fever. Always read the product’s leaflet or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Long term relief with allergy immunotherapy
If you find your symptoms are not adequately covered by your current medical treatment, what next? Well, there may be specialist treatments available as an alternative.
Your allergy specialist may suggest immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy treats the underlying cause of hay fever through controlled, repeated exposure to the allergens. This helps your body to build up tolerance to the substance that causes your hay fever.
For more information about allergy immunotherapy, including possible side effects, talk it through with your health care provider.
