Season of sneezing

15 Apr 2013

The seasons are changing and as autumn sets in, it seems hay fever follows. How do you deal with the constant tickle?

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is a common condition with symptoms similar to that of a cold. Its medical name is allergic rhinitis and it is usually caused by an allergic response to an airborne substance.

Common triggers include pollen, dust, plants, mould or animal hair. Another common cause is the change in weather and/or seasons, especially as winter turns into spring.

Hay fever is commonly put in a category by itself, however it is an allergic reaction. As dust, pollens and other airborne substances travel through your nose, the tiny hairs and mucus that line the nasal passages trap the substances. If you suffer from hay fever, generally it means that you are allergic to whatever has entered your system.

It’s generally younger people who develop hay fever and either continue to suffer later in life or grow out of it all together. However, due to climate change and the increasing population, older people are now starting to develop symptoms associated with the allergy.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of hay fever is an itchy nose and constant sneezing, however you may also suffer from an itchy throat or ears, red and watery eyes and at times the hay fever may cause headaches.

There are some things you can do to prevent the symptoms of hay fever. If you’re deciding what plants go in your garden, choose ones that do not release their seeds into the air as this creates air-borne pollen. When preparing to go out, check the pollen count forecast. Regularly, splash your eyes with water to flush out any potential air-borne substances that may have found their way in and reduce your exposure to dust or dust mites.

What causes hay fever?

There are some risk factors associated with hay fever. Family history does have a bearing on whether you develop the allergy and if you have a close family member who has hay fever, you are at a higher risk of developing it. This is generally true with many allergies.

If you suffer from asthma, the likelihood of developing hay fever is also slightly higher than someone who doesn’t have asthma. According to the Asthma Foundation of Australia, approximately 80 per cent of people with asthma also suffer from hay fever. Treatment of hay fever can help with treatment of asthma.

Some reports have claimed that the time of year you’re born may also impact the development of hay fever. People born during a higher pollen season may have a higher risk of developing the allergy than those born during a lower pollen season.

Diagnosis

If you feel like you may be developing hay fever, definitely see a doctor.

Your doctor may be able to diagnose hay fever based on the symptoms that you present. However, your doctor may need to ask other questions surrounding your environment, your medical history and whether you have other allergies.

Sometimes you may need to undergo other tests such as skin prick testing or blood tests to determine whether you do suffer from other allergies.

Medication

When you suffer from hay fever, your body produces a substance called histamine which causes inflammation in the nose. To counteract this, you can take antihistamines, most of which can be purchased over the counter. Just remember, if you’re planning on taking an antihistamine during the day, look for a non-drowsy one and if you’re taking one at night, sometimes a normal one can help you sleep.

Another helpful hint is using nose sprays. These may reduce the inflammation in the nose and if you use them regularly, it can help to stop the sneezing all together. However, you should consult your doctor when looking at what kind of nose spray to use. As a general rule, medications should not be taken for more than a few days without the care of a doctor.

Eye drops can also relieve itchy or dry eyes. Always ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice on which ones to choose but it may be a good idea to carry saline around with you. They now come in handy individual disposable packets so you don’t have to carry around the whole bottle.

Living with hay fever

Sometimes it’s not possible to pre-empt or pre-treat hay fever. The weather, your home environment or simple strolling down the street can bring on excessive sneezing and itchy eyes. What’s important to remember is that hay fever is treatable, you’ve just got to be prepared.