Hay Fever is a common allergic disease or illness that happens to a person at some point in its life. Studies have shown that one out of five people suffers from this hurting hay fever. Another name of hay fever is allergic rhinitis. It is caused due to pollen, an allergic response to airborne substances. The disease is not strange by name, but it is surely mysterious by its working. Despite his name, it doesn’t mean that a person who has hay fever is suffering from Hay or Fever. Indeed, this allergic disease has the same signs that are shown due to cold. In the United States, Hay Fever or allergic rhinitis is the fifth most common disease. The allergic infection usually infects the person who is 18 or above. However, children are also at risk of having it at some age.
The disease usually comes into effect in Summer, Spring, and the Late Fall season. Hay fever occurs when the immune system mistakes a normally harmless airborne substance for a threat. In reply, the human body leaves some special antibody bacteria, named as Immunoglobulin E (IgE). including this, it also releases chemical Histamine. These Histamines cause the symptoms. Let us discuss more in detail.
Symptoms of Hay Fever
Symptoms and signs of Hay fever are similar to cold. They are generally caused by allergic sensitivity to pollen from trees, grasses, weeds, or to airborne mold spores. Usually, these symptoms depend on what substance the victim is attracted to. This also helps to detect the time of start showing signs. However, a person who is allergic to common pollen will have more severe symptoms. Some symptoms are listed below:
- Sneezing
- Watery Eyes
- Itchy Throat
- A Blocked, Itchy, or Runny Nose.
- Sweats
- Headaches
- Loss of Smell and Taste
- Facial Pain Caused by Blocked Sinuses
- Itchiness Spreading from the Throat to the Nose and Ears.
Some people may also feel additional symptoms like tiredness or fatigue, irritability, and insomnia.
Diagnosis of Hay Fever
Since Hay Fever has symptoms similar to Cold, hence the symptoms and signs are not enough to diagnose Hay Fever. That is why blood tests and other diagnoses are compulsory. Because better diagnosis results in better and correct treatment methods. A blood or skin test can identify which substance the patient is allergic to. Looking at the symptoms, the doctor might also ask you about your medical history. During the skin test, the skin is pricked with a minute amount of a known allergen. On the other hand, the blood test will help you to show the level of IgE antibodies.
Treatment of Hay Fever
Treatment of Hay Fever is compulsory. The disease might not be fatal, but ignoring its symptoms may result in future health issues. Managing of Hay Fever is done via a range of over-the-counter OCT treatment. The treatment also includes several medications that are listed below:
- Antihistamine Spray of Tablets
- Eye Drops
- Nasal Corticosteroids
- Oral Corticosteroids
- Immunotherapy
- Alternative Therapies
