Hay fever is a common allergy which many people suffer from but these days there are many treatments out there which can mean that you can carry on as normal even when affected. Hay fever occurs when there is a reaction in the nasal passages to allergens such as pollen and this can particularly affect people in the summer months and around grassy areas.
Hay fever affects approximately one in three adults at some time in their lives, although this number is on the rise because of pollution. While hay fever can in some cases be hereditary, in others it is caused by the environment and circumstances. Many people suffer with it and there are many ways of finding the symptoms and then treating hay fever.
Hay fever can be spotted easily thanks to its characteristic symptoms, such as excess nasal secretion, known as rhinorrhea, itching and nasal congestion. This can be particularly clear in the summer months when the nasal congestion can feel somewhat like a cold. Hay fever also has some physical symptoms such as conjunctival swelling and eyelid swelling.
Hay fever symptoms, such as swollen nasal turbinates and middle ear effusion, can be identified easily as they will flare up when the pollen count is high. Some people also come out in rashes and hives if they suffer particularly severely from hay fever. Other hay fever symptoms include rings under the eyes. There are also sometimes behavioural signs such as patients rubbing their nose in an upward motion, nicknamed the “allergic salute”.
Treating hay fever is entirely possible with various methods depending on its severity. Some people choose to take antihistamines orally and these can be very helpful in relieving symptoms – they can be bought over the counter in pharmacies.
Hay fever affects approximately one in three adults at some time in their lives, although this number is on the rise because of pollution. While hay fever can in some cases be hereditary, in others it is caused by the environment and circumstances. Many people suffer with it and there are many ways of finding the symptoms and then treating hay fever.
Hay fever can be spotted easily thanks to its characteristic symptoms, such as excess nasal secretion, known as rhinorrhea, itching and nasal congestion. This can be particularly clear in the summer months when the nasal congestion can feel somewhat like a cold. Hay fever also has some physical symptoms such as conjunctival swelling and eyelid swelling.
Hay fever symptoms, such as swollen nasal turbinates and middle ear effusion, can be identified easily as they will flare up when the pollen count is high. Some people also come out in rashes and hives if they suffer particularly severely from hay fever. Other hay fever symptoms include rings under the eyes. There are also sometimes behavioural signs such as patients rubbing their nose in an upward motion, nicknamed the “allergic salute”.
Treating hay fever is entirely possible with various methods depending on its severity. Some people choose to take antihistamines orally and these can be very helpful in relieving symptoms – they can be bought over the counter in pharmacies.
