Hay Fever

The medical term for hay fever is allergic rhinitis. Hay fever is most common in spring and fall when a lot of ragweed is in the air. Some people have hay fever all year, though.

Signs & Symptoms

  • Itchy, watery eyes.

  • Runny, itchy nose.

  • Congestion.

  • Sneezing.

Causes

Hay fever is a reaction of the upper respiratory tract to allergens.

Treatment

  • Talk to your doctor if self-care measures do not help. He or she may prescribe:

  • Antihistamines. For best results, take the antihistamine 30 minutes before going outside. {Note: Some over-the-counter antihistamines can make you more drowsy than prescribed ones. Also, be careful when driving and operating machinery since some antihistamines can make you drowsy.}

  • A decongestant.

  • A corticosteroid nasal spray and eye drops, cromolyn sodium, and oral corticosteroids.

  • Skin tests to find out what things you are allergic to.

  • Allergy shots.

It is best to take what your doctor advises instead of testing over-the-counter products on your own.

 

 

Questions to Ask
Do you have severe breathing problems or severe wheezing?

Do you have any of these symptoms of an infection?

• Fever.

• Green, yellow, or bloody-colored nasal discharge or mucus.

• Throbbing facial pain.

Do you still have hay fever symptoms when you avoid hay fever triggers or do hay fever symptoms interfere with daily activities?

 

Self-Care / Prevention

Avoid Hay Fever Triggers

  • If you are allergic to pollen and molds, let someone else do outside chores. Mowing the lawn or raking leaves can make you very sick.

  • Keep windows and doors shut and stay inside when the pollen count or humidity is high. Early morning is sometimes the worst.

  • Avoid tobacco smoke and other air pollutants.

  • To limit dust, mold, and pollen:

                 •  Use rugs that can be washed often. Don’t use carpeting.
                 •  Dust and vacuum often. Wear a dust filter mask when you do.
                 •  Use drapes and curtains that can be washed often.
                 •  Put an electronic air filter on your furnace or use portable air purifiers.
                 •  Put a plastic cover on your mattress or cover it completely with an allergen-free mattress cover.
                 •  Sleep with no pillow or with the kind your doctor or health care provider recommends. If you
                    use a  pillow, cover it with an allergen-free cover.
                 •  Try not to have stuffed animals kept in the bedroom. If you must, have only one that can be washed.
                    Wash it in hot water once a week.
                 •  Don’t dry sheets and blankets outside.
                 •  Shower or bathe and wash your hair after heavy exposure to pollen, dust, etc.

  • Don’t have pets. If you have a pet, keep it out of the bedroom. When you can, keep the pet outdoors.

  • Use an air conditioner or air cleaner in your house, especially in the bedroom. Electronic air filters are better than mechanical ones. Clean the filter often. Or, try a doctor-approved air purifier, especially in the bedroom. Devices with HEPA filters can be very effective in cleaning indoor air.
 
 
For more information, contact:
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
800.7.ASTHMA (727.8462)
www.aafa.org
 
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American Institute for Preventive Medicine, Copyright 2005