Allergic rhinitis/Hay fever isn’t brought on by a virus like a cold. It is an allergic reaction to indoor or outdoor allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, or microscopic flecks of skin and saliva secreted by cats, dogs, and other animals with fur or feathers, that results in hay fever (pet dander).

The signs and symptoms of hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, include a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing, and sinus pressure.

In addition to making your life miserable, hay fever can impair your work or academic performance and overall cause problems. But you are not required to put up with bothersome symptoms. You can discover the best course of treatment and learn to avoid triggers.

SYMPTOMS

• Congestion and a runny nose
• Red, itchy, and watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Itching nose, throat, or roof of mouth
• Blue-colored skin around the eyes that is swollen (allergic shiners)
• Post-nasal drip
• Fatigue

SEASONAL ELEMENTS

At a certain time of year, your hay fever symptoms may start or get worse. Triggers consist of:

• Pollen from the tree, which is common in early spring.
• Pollen from grass, which is widespread in the late spring and summer.
• Ragweed pollen, which is widespread in the fall.
• Year-round, pet dander, cockroaches, and dust mites can be a pain (perennial). Dander-related symptoms could get worse in the winter when homes are locked up.
• Both seasonal and perennial spores come from interior and outdoor fungi and molds.

CAUSES

Your immune system misclassified an innocuous airborne chemical as dangerous when you have hay fever. Then, your immune system creates antibodies against this non-harmful chemical. These antibodies alert your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream the next time you come into contact with the material, which sets off a chain reaction that results in hay fever symptoms.

RISK FACTORS

Your risk of getting hay fever can be increased by the following factors:

• Having asthma or other allergies
• Suffering from atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• A relative (such as a parent or sibling) that has an allergy or asthma
• Living or working in an environment where allergens, such as dust mites or animal dander, are constantly present
• Having a mother who smoked for the first year of your life

COMPLICATIONS

Among the problems that hay fever may cause are:

• Reduced quality of life

Hay fever might make it difficult for you to enjoy your hobbies and reduce your productivity. Many people miss work or school because of their hay fever symptoms.

• Poor sleep

The symptoms of hay fever can keep you up at night or make it difficult for you to fall asleep, which can cause exhaustion and an overall sense of being poorly (malaise).

• Deteriorating asthma

The signs and symptoms of asthma, such as coughing and wheezing, might get worse with hay fever.

• Sinusitis

Sinus congestion caused by hay fever that lasts for a long time may make you more likely to get sinusitis, which is an infection or inflammation of the membrane that lines the sinuses.

• Otitis media

Hay fever frequently contributes to middle ear issues in youngsters.

PREVENTION

It is impossible to prevent hay fever. The best thing you can do if you have hay fever is to limit your exposure to the allergens that make you sick. As prescribed by your doctor, take allergy medications before being exposed to allergens.

DIAGNOSIS

Your physician will do a physical examination, record your medical history, and might order one or both of the subsequent tests:

• Skin Test

Small amounts of material that can cause allergies are prickled into the skin of your arm or upper back, and you are then observed for an allergic reaction. If you have an allergy, you will have a raised bump (hive) at the allergen’s location. Skin tests for allergies are typically best handled by allergy specialists.

• A blood test for allergies

A blood sample is sent to a laboratory to determine how your immune system reacts to a particular allergen. This test, which is also called the radioallergosorbent test (RAST), measures the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood. IgE antibodies are what cause allergies.

Most Common Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis

Doral Health and Wellness Clinic specializes in different kinds of allergies and immunologic conditions. The Doral Health Dermatologists and Immunologists are well-equipped to provide knowledgeable interventions, quality skin health services, and innovative medical facilities dedicated to the health and well-being of our patients. Please call us on +1-347-384-5690, or log on to www.doralhw.org. Visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11212.