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[S1218]Symptoms Of Hay Fever

by Alisha Dhamani, Ali

Call your health care provider if you experience any of the following symptoms that do not improve with self-treatment, fever that does not subside, nasal secretions that are colored, thickened, or bloody, sore throat that gets worse, and earache or ear discharge

Go to the hospital emergency department if you experience any of the following in conjunction with an allergic reaction very high fever, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, and discharge from the ear or severe earache.

Your health care provider will ask you questions about the following medical history, including allergies, asthma, and eczema. Seasonal symptoms associated with specific geographic locations. Also, family history of hay fever, asthma, and other allergies

He or she may take a drop of your nasal discharge, looking at it under a microscope for many immune cells called eosinophils, which increase dramatically in number during an allergic reaction.

An allergy specialist (allergist) may be able to determine the exact allergen causing your hay fever. He or she uses a skin test in which dilute solutions of various allergens are introduced into your skin. A positive reaction is indicated by a typical wheal and flare reaction (raised red bump).

Hay fever is an allergic reaction. It is your immune system's response to foreign material in the air you breathe. Hay fever usually refers to allergies to outdoor, airborne materials such as pollens and molds.

About 15 percent of the population of the United States has some degree of hay fever. It is found equally in both men and women. Usually hay fever is seasonal, but it can last all year long if the allergen stays throughout the year. Spring and fall are the main hay fever seasons.

The development of allergic disease relates to a complex interplay of genetic and environmental differences. Since no significant genetic changes have occurred in the last two decades, we must assume that environmental factors are most likely responsible for this trend.

The reunification of Germany offered tremendous insight into the impact of environmental changes on allergic conditions. These disorders were less common in East Germany than in West Germany before reunification, where as since that geopolitical change occurred, the prevalence of allergic problems (except asthma) has increased among children who spent their early childhood in East Germany.

here is also clear evidence that in the Western world these disorders are increasing in frequency. In Sweden, for example, the number of children with allergic rhinitis, asthma or eczema has doubled over a 12-year period.

Allergy is the most common illness in the world. It is characterized by the immune system's reaction to substances that are viewed by the body as potentially harmful. The body launches an attack on these substances which is manifested by the symptoms experienced in an allergy attack. There are many substances that can cause an allergic reaction. Among them are peanuts, shellfish, eggs, milk, dust, insect bites and pollen.

Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is usually characterized by an allergic reaction to pollen. The illness is named after the "haying season" when pollen grains in the air are in abundance. Since pollen carried by the wind is the more popular culprit, you should be aware of the most common plants releasing these pollen grains in the air. Trees including birch, alder, hazel, hornbeam, horse chestnut, willow, poplar, plane, lime and olive cause hay fever. Among these, birch and olive pollen are the most dominant. On the other hand, grass pollen from rye and timothy are responsible for about 90% of the total hay fever cases.

Effects of hay fever vary form person to person. Some experience mild reactions while others suffer severe reactions. Symptoms of the illness include coughing, headache, itching nose, runny nose and sneezing. You might also experience impaired smelling functions and sensitivity to flavors. Your eyes will water from the irritation in your nose. Sore throat, wheezing and conjunctivitis are also common reactions.

Hay fever is usually diagnosed by determining the patient's history of symptoms. Your doctor will ask you the frequency of your symptoms, severity and onset. Changes in your diet, exposure to pets and allergens as well as weather conditions will all be considered in the evaluation for hay fever. Skin testing is also performed to determine specific sensitivity to particular allergens. Since cross-reactivity is normal, your doctor will naturally check you for reactions to cross-reacting substances.

To prevent hay fever, you should avoid being exposed to pollen. If you must go outdoors, try to wear a protective face mask for filtering pollen. You should also avoid going out during the early mornings and evenings when pollen levels are high. When drying your clothes, never put them outside where they can be exposed to pollen. The pollen will attach to the clothes you placed outside for longer than a moment and if you wear these clothes it's possible that you could have an allergic reaction. Another activity you should avoid is mowing your lawn. This activity will disperse pollen in the air, increasing your chances for a hay fever attack. Some doctors recommend putting little cream on the nostrils and around the eyes to prevent pollen from entering these areas.

There are currently several available medications for treating symptoms of hay fever. These include fast-acting antihistamines, short-acting antihistamines, longer-acting antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, corticosteroid nasal sprays, topical decongestants, cromolyn sodium, allergy shots and herbal remedies. Any of these medications can relieve symptoms of hay fever effectively. You should make sure that when taking these medications, you will not be driving or operating heavy machineries since drowsiness can be experienced when taking medication like antihistamines.

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Both Alisha Dhamani & Sven Ullmann are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Alisha Dhamani has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Careers and Job Hunting and Health. Jigfo.com is a source of global information. Learn and share knowledge with thousands. . Alisha Dhamani's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.

Sven Ullmann has sinced written about articles on various topics from Infections, Allergies and Infections. Article provided by Sven Ullmann, who runs - a site dedicated to different health related articles. Read more about. Sven Ullmann's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.