Hay Fever

Hay fever and other types of allergies are the most common illnesses present today. Also known as rhinitis it is caused because the body reacts to an invasion of the immune system by fighting back. Usually, rhinitis is caused by an allergic reaction to pollen, which is released by plants during the spring and summer when they pollinate.

Pollen: the enemy

Because pollen is carried by the wind, it can be difficult to know what is causing rhinitis, but in general, the most common culprits are trees. Specific species include the following:

• Birch
• Poplar
• Willow
• Lime
• Olive

Among these, the most common tree allergens generally come from birch and olive trees.

Grass can also produce a lot of pollen. Rye and timothy are most responsible for this; as much as 90% of hay fever cases come from these two plants.

Symptoms

What are the effects of rhinitis? The severity differs among people, but in general, symptoms include the following:

• Coughing
• Headache
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Sore throat

These symptoms can range from mild to severe. Although a visit to your doctor is warranted when hay fever symptoms begin, in many cases, your doctor may simply advise that you use over-the-counter antihistamines to dry up secretions and reduce the release of histamine in the body; histamines are produced when your body reacts to an allergic substance. If possible, you should also minimize exposure during pollen's most active times of year, in the spring and summer.

Treatment

Unfortunately there is no cure, however there are remedies available. The following are a few things you can do to treat hay fever:

• Doctor: If you're still experiencing severe symptoms and over-the-counter medications are not helping or cannot be used because of health problems, your doctor may advise that you have more in-depth allergy tests taken. Your doctor may be able to prescribe different medications. There are many very effective and newer medications available today that can help you, even if you cannot take traditional allergy medications such as antihistamines.
• Air filters: When indoors, air filters can help take allergens out of the air so that at least when inside, your exposure is reduced or even eliminated.
• Avoid going outside: Morning and evenings are the times when pollen levels are the highest. If possible stay indoors during these hours.
• Face mask: During pollen's high season, if you must go outside, wearing a facemask may be advisable so that you don't inhale pollen.
• Lawn mowing: Avoid mowing your lawn during pollen season or wear a face mask if you must; the grasses themselves produce pollen, and this will only increase your exposure. If you do mow your lawn, go inside immediately afterwards and shower and change clothes. This will eliminate the pollen deposited on you while mowing.
• Dry cloths: Use the dryer rather than drying cloths outside on a clothesline, because pollen can be deposited on clothes and then brought indoors.
• Move: This may be a last resort for some, but different areas of the country have different pollen levels. It's possible to move to an area that has lower levels of the type of pollen that you're allergic to.

Conclusion

Hay fever is certainly an unpleasant experience and may even be severe or life-threatening in people with other health conditions such as asthma. With some help from your doctor, the proper medications, and lifestyle changes, feeling miserable during allergy season doesn't have to be a given.

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