Allergies & Immunology


HAY FEVER


By A.A. (staff writer) , published on August 02, 2020



Medicine Telehealth Health allergy hay fever hypersensitivity allergic reactions


Allergic rhinitis is also called hay fever. The symptoms of hay fever are sneezing, sinus pressure, itchy eyes, and runny nose. Hay fever has cold-like symptoms. However, hay fever is not caused by a virus. Hay fever is known as an allergic condition due to allergic response to indoor and outdoor allergens like dust mites, the saliva of dogs, cats, pollens or feathers, or fur of animals1

 

Symptoms of Hay Fever 

 

The following are the symptoms of hay fever.

  • Coughing and sneezing 
  • Blocked nose 
  • Runny nose 
  • Watery, itchy or red eyes 
  • Itchy nose, ears, throat, and mouth
  • Pain around the forehead
  • Headache and earache
  • Loss of smell
  • Body aches and feeling tired

The patients of asthma might also feel following symptoms 

  • Tightness of chest
  • Shortness of breath 
  • Coughing and wheezing 

The symptoms of hay fever may last for weeks or months and typically goes away within 2 weeks2

 

Triggers of Hay Fever 

 

  • Allergens like mold spores, grass, pollens from trees and weeds
  • Dust mites, pet hair, and mold 
  • Perfume, hair spray, air fresheners, petrol, disease exhaust, and cigarette smoke 

 

Types of Hay Fever 

 

There are two types of allergic rhinitis:

 

Seasonal Hay Fever: 

It is a season based allergic reaction mostly in early fall, spring, and summer. They are typically triggered by exposure to airborne mold spores or pollen from leaves, grasses, or plants.

 

Perennial Hay Fever: 

Symptoms appear all year round and are usually triggered by exposure to dust mites, pet fur or dandruff, cockroaches, or spores.

 

Causes of Hay Fever

Hay Fever happens when your body detects any foreign particle and makes antibodies (IgE) against it. The body may consider different substances as foreign particles like mold, pollen, dust, animal fur. These foreign particles are called allergens. 

Common causes of hay fever include:

  • Pollen
  • Dust mites
  • Fungi
  • Eggs 
  • Dates, mangoes, bananas
  • Pet fur or dander
  • Wheat 
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Perfume

 

Treatment of Hay Fever 

Hay fever can be treated with many over-the-counter medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you on the best treatment. Normally it is recommended to take a combination of medicines to treat hay fever. 

 

Medications

The following are common medicines used for hay fever. 

 

Antihistamine tablets, sprays:

Antihistamines are the drug of choice in allergic conditions. They block the chemical histamine release and treat allergic symptoms. They are effective in relieving symptoms like sneezing, rash, itching, runny nose, and sore throat. 

The major problem with older antihistamines is that they cause sedation. Cetirizine, Levocetirizine, Loratadine, fexofenadine, and Ebastine are common antihistamines used for hay fever. 

 

Eye drops

Cromoglycate is present in eye drops that can reduce swelling and itching in the eyes. They are used in combination with other medicines. 

 

Nasal corticosteroids

Nasal corticosteroids effectively treat the inflammation caused by hay fever. They are safe to use and can be used for long-term management of hay fever. They may cause nose irritation, unpleasant taste, and smell.

Examples of drugs 

  • Beclomethasone
  • Fluticasone 
  • Mometasone 

 

Oral corticosteroids:

Prednisone tablets are mostly prescribed by doctors as a short term treatment of hay fever. It must not be used for longer periods as it causes serious side effects like osteoporosis, cataracts, muscle weakness, and increased appetite (obesity)3

 

Complications of Hay Fever 

The following are the complications of hay fever.

 

Reduced quality of life: 

Hay fever will disrupt your pleasure of activities and make you less successful. It reduces the quality of life in individuals, the effects of hay fever contribute to absences from work or education.

 

Ear infection:

Hay fever may lead to middle ear infection in children (otitis media) 

 

Poor sleep:

Hay fever can disturb your sleep pattern. It causes a feeling of being unwell and leads to fatigue that makes it difficult for you to sleep. 

 

 Intensify asthma:

Hay fever aggravates the symptoms of asthma-like wheezing and coughing4

 

References

  1. Hay Fever. [internet]. 2020 July 16 [cited 2020 July 21]; Available from  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20373039 
  2. Hay Fever. [internet]. 2020 December 7 [cited 2020 July 21]; Available from  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/
  3. Everything you need to know about hay fever. [internet]. 2018 June 20 [cited 2020 July 21]; Available from  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160665
  4. Hay Fever. [internet]. 2020 July 16 [cited 2020 July 21]; Available from  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/symptoms-causes/syc-20373039 




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