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Hay FeverHay Fever Overview Most likely you or someone you know has allergies. The telltale itchy, puffy, watery eyes and red, stuffy nose signal changes in the seasons in homes and workplaces across the country. What these people suffer from is allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. The medical name for this condition refers to stuffy and itchy nose ("rhin-"), the most common symptom. Hay fever is an allergic reaction. It is your immune system's response to foreign material in the air you breathe. Hay fever usually refers to allergies to outdoor, airborne materials such as pollens and molds. Hay fever is found equally in both men and women. Usually hay fever is seasonal, but it can last all year long if the allergen stays throughout the year. Spring and fall are the main hay fever seasons. Hay Fever Causes Hay fever, like all allergic reactions, is caused by allergens, foreign "invaders" that enter your body by inhalation, by swallowing, or through your skin. • In hay fever, the allergens are airborne substances that enter your airways (mouth, nose, throat, and lungs) via your breathing and the linings of your eyes and sometimes ears via direct contact. Most of the time it is difficult to identify a specific allergen. • Once these allergens come in contact with your airway, the white blood cells of your immune system produce antibodies to the offending substance. This overreaction to a harmless substance is often called a hypersensitivity reaction. The antibody, called immunoglobulin E, or IgE, is stored on special cells called mast cells. When the antibody comes in contact with the corresponding antigen, they promote release of chemicals and hormones called "mediators." Histamine is an example of a mediator. It is the effects of these mediators on organs and other cells that cause the symptoms of the allergic reaction, in this case hay fever. The most common allergens in hay fever are pollens. Pollen is small particles released by flowering plants. It is moved around by wind to other plants of the same species, which it fertilizes so that the plant can bloom again. Pollens from certain types of trees, grasses, and weeds (such as ragweed) are most likely to cause reactions. Pollens from other types of plants are less allergenic. The time of year when a particular species of plant releases pollen, or "pollinates," depends on the local climate and what it normal for that species. Some species pollinate in the spring and others in the late summer and early fall. Generally, the farther north a plant is, the later in the season it pollinates. Variations in temperature and rainfall from year to year affect how much pollen is in the air in any given season. The other common allergens in hay fever are molds. Molds are a type of fungus that has no stems, roots, or leaves. Mold spores float through the air like pollen until they find a hospitable environment to grow. Unlike pollen, however, molds do not have a season. Molds grow both outdoors and indoors. Outdoors, they thrive in soil, vegetation, and rotting wood. Indoors, molds (usually called mildew) live in places where air does not circulate freely, such as attics and basements, moist places such as bathrooms, and places where foods are stored, prepared, or discarded. The pollen and mold counts at which people develop allergic symptoms vary quite a lot by individual. Pollen and mold counts are not very helpful in predicting how a specific person will react. Risk factors for hay fever Family members with hay fever Repeated exposure to the allergen Nasal polyps (small noncancerous growths in the lining of the nose) The allergens that cause symptoms in an individual as he or she ages. Symptoms decrease in some allergy sufferers, but not all, as they grow older. Hay Fever Symptoms The usual symptoms of hay fever include the following: Sneezing Runny nose (clear, thin discharge) Congested ("stuffy") nose Postnasal drip Sensation of plugged ear(s) Watery, bloodshot eyes Itching of nose, soft palate, ear canal, eyes, and/or skin Fatigue Trouble sleeping When to Seek Medical Care Call your health care provider if you experience any of the following: Symptoms that do not improve with self-treatment Fever that does not subside Nasal secretions that are coloured, thickened, or bloody Sore throat that gets worse Earache or ear discharge Go to the hospital emergency department if you experience any of the following in conjunction with an allergic reaction: Very high fever Difficulty breathing Uncontrolled bleeding Discharge from the ear or severe earache Self-Care at Home Avoid known or suspected allergens. Gargle with warm salt water, 1-2 tablespoons of table salt in 8 ounces of warm water, to soothe a mildly sore throat. Take non-prescription antihistamines to relieve symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, and itchy throat and eyes. Caution - these medications may make you too drowsy to drive a car or operate machinery safely. For stuffy nose, a combination of an antihistamine and a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Actifed) may work better. Try alternative therapies which may help to relieve symptoms. It may be necessary to experiment with which essential oil works the best for you just as it is necessary to identify which pollen affects you. Try any oils which work for the colds. Eucalyptus and Lavender Essential Oils can help in steam inhalations. Chamomile and Melissa Essential Oils can be helpful for allergies in general. Some people find that a steam inhalation can make it worse so try a few drops of the essential oil on a handkerchief to inhale. Massage with any of these essential oils can also help the severity of the allergic response. For sore red eyes try a cool compress of rosewater or chamomile infusions (NOT the essential oils). Recently The Times published an article called: Should the NHS pay for alternative medicine? And comment published read as follows: I work as a GP and I have used homeopathy alongside conventional medicine over the past ten years. I have seen many successes for many conditions both as a GP and at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital. Why do I have so many patients asking for homeopathic medicines in this hay fever season? Many have reported to me that they have a superior effect over antihistamines and other prescription medicines. My patients are proving that they work over and above any placebo effect. Michael Cannell, St Albans |
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