Prevention Of Hay Fever

Sometimes the symptoms can be prevented by avoiding known allergens. During the pollen season, people with hay fever should remain indoors in an air conditioned environment whenever possible:

Most trees produce pollen in the spring.

Grasses usually produce pollen in late spring and summer.

Plants of ragweed and other late flowering produce pollen during late summer and early autumn.

Treatment Of Hay Fever

The best treatment is to avoid the causes of allergy symptoms in the first place. It may be impossible to completely avoid all the triggers, but can often take steps to reduce exposure.

There are many different drugs to treat allergic rhinitis. Which your doctor prescribes depends on the type and severity of your symptoms, your age and if you have other medical conditions (like asthma).

For mild allergic rhinitis, nasal wash can help remove mucus from the nose. You can purchase a saline solution is a drug store or make one at home, using a cup of lukewarm water, half teaspoon salt and a pinch of baking soda.

Treatments for allergic rhinitis include:

ANTIHISTAMINES

Antihistamines work well to treat allergy symptoms, especially if your symptoms do not happen very often, or do not last very long.

Oral antihistamines can relieve mild to moderate symptoms, but many can cause drowsiness. Some can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. Talk to your doctor before giving these medicines to a child because they can affect learning.

The new antihistamines cause drowsiness or very little. Some are available over the counter. They generally do not interfere with learning. These medications include loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec). Other antihistamines are available by prescription.

Azelastine (Astelin) is a nasal antihistamine that is used to treat allergic rhinitis.

CORTICOSTEROIDS

Nasal spray steroids are the most effective treatment for allergic rhinitis.

They work best when used non-stop, but they can also be useful when used for short periods.

There are many brands available. You need a prescription from your doctor. They are safe for children and adults.

Decongestants

Decongestants may also be useful in reducing symptoms such as nasal congestion.

Decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for more than three days.

Be careful when using OTC medicines saline nasal spray containing benzalkonium chloride. These actually can worsen symptoms and cause infection.

Other treatments

The leukotriene inhibitor Singulair is a prescription medicine approved to help control asthma and to help relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies.

Some diseases caused by allergies (such as asthma and eczema) may require other treatments.

Allergy shots

Desensitization (immunotherapy) are occasionally recommended if the allergen can not be avoided and if symptoms are hard to control. This includes regular injections of the allergen in increasing doses (each dose is slightly higher than the previous dose) that can help the body adapt to the antigen.

Symptoms Of Hay Fever

The symptoms that occur shortly after you come in contact with the substance you are allergic to may include:

Itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin or other area

Problems with smell

Rhinitis

Sneezing

Irrigation

Symptoms that may occur later include:

Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)

Cough

Clogged ears, impaired sense of smell

Sore throat

Dark eyes

Swelling under the eyes

Fatigue and irritability

Headaches

Memory problems and slowed thinking

Causes Of Hay Fever

Allergen is something that triggers the allergy. When a person is allergic rhinitis, inhaled allergens such as pollen or dust, the body releases chemicals such as histamine. This causes allergy symptoms such as itching, swelling, and mucus production.

Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen. (A similar reaction occurs with allergy to mold, animal dander, dust and similar inhaled allergens).

Pollens that cause hay fever vary from person to person and from region to region. Tiny, hard to see pollens often cause hay fever. Examples of plants commonly responsible for hay fever are:

Trees (deciduous and evergreen)

Herbs

Ragweed

The amount of pollen in the air can play a role in whether hay fever symptoms develop. Hot, dry and windy weather are more likely to have increased amounts of pollen in the air cool and damp, rainy days when most pollen is washed to the ground.

Some disorders may be associated with allergies. These include eczema and asthma.

Allergies are common. Your genes and environment can make you more prone to allergies.

You are likely to develop allergies is often passed through families. If both parents have allergies, you probably have allergies. The chances are greater if your mother has allergies.

Hay Fever Overview

Allergic rhinitis is a collection of symptoms, most of the nose and eyes that occurs when you breathe in something you are allergic, such as dust, dander, or pollen.

This article focuses on allergic rhinitis due to external triggers such as pollen from plants. This type of allergic rhinitis is commonly known as hay fever.