What is hay fever?

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is caused by an allergic reaction to outdoor allergens such as pollen from grass, trees and weeds during the early spring and summer months.

Pollen is a yellowish powder that is carried from plant to plant by the wind, birds, insects or other animals. It’s spread to fertilise plants but unfortunately can cause havoc for allergy sufferers leading to nasal problems, and watery and itchy eyes amongst other symptoms.

Hay fever occurs when the body detects pollen as a harmful agent and the immune system reacts by secreting a series of substances such as histamine, which causes the allergy symptoms in response. The allergy is present during seasonal peaks since the presence of pollen in the air is much higher in spring.

What are the symptoms of hay fever?

An allergic reaction to pollen can present one or several symptoms. The most common include:

• Itchy, watery, swelling, red eyes
• Sneezing
• Nasal problems, such as congestion and runny nose
• Tiredness and intense fatigue
• Headaches and migraines
• Bronchial asthma
• Shortness of breath
   

What are the causes of hay fever?

The immune system mistakenly identifies pollen as a harmful substance and produces antibodies to defend the body. The antibodies signal the blood vessels to widen and for the body to produce chemicals such as histamine, which has a knock-on effect and causes hay fever symptoms. 

What increases the risk of developing hay fever?

There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing hay fever and certain people are more likely to develop hay fever than others. This includes people who:

• Suffer from asthma
• Suffer from eczema
• Live or work in an environment which exposes them to allergens, such as dust mites
• Have a family history of the condition
• Are exposed to tobacco smoke, especially from a young age and in particular, during the first year of life

What are the different types of pollen?

On average there are 30 different types of pollen, which can cause hay fever. The sources include grass (the most common) trees and weeds. Different trees and plants produce pollen at different times of the year.

Pollen count season can even begin as early as January and can end in November, depending on weather conditions.

Triggers for hay fever

Some people suffer from hay fever at particular times of the year (seasonal allergic rhinitis) while other people suffer from hay fever all year round (perennial allergic rhinitis). There are a few different things which can trigger hay fever. These include:

• Tree pollen (common in early spring).
• Grass pollen (common in late spring and summer).
• Ragweed pollen (common in autumn, in North America).
• Dust mites and cockroach droppings, (common which all year round).
• Dander from pets, (common all year round but may worsen symptoms in winter).
• Spores from indoor and outdoor fungi and moulds, (commonly ocurring both seasonally and year-round.

How can I treat hay fever at home?

Hay fever does not have a cure but there are some ways in which you can reduce the symptoms. Some ways you can treat hay fever at home are as follows: 

• Put Vaseline around your nostrils. This traps pollen.
• Stay indoors when possible.
• Regularly cleaning, vacuuming and dusting to help ease symptoms.
• Wear wraparound sunglasses. This prevents pollen getting into your eyes.
• Shower and change your clothes after you have been outside, in order to wash pollen off.
• Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
• Buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.
• If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to participate in normal activities, you should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.

There are also some things you should not do, in order to prevent hay fever symptoms from flaring up. You should not:

• Cut or walk on grass.
• Keep fresh flowers in the house.
• Smoke or spend time around people smoking, as this can worsen symptoms.
• Hang clothes outside to dry because they may catch pollen this way.
• Let pets inside the house because they can carry pollen inside. 
• Spend a lot of time outside.

Can I take medication for hay fever?

Treatment for pollen allergy may be self initiated with over the counter medications but ideally this should be guided by your GP or allergy specialist. Front line therapies typically include a non-sedating antihistamine, an appropriate nasal decongestant, and eye drops to reduce symptoms such as blocked nose, sneezing and itchy and watery eyes.

For more troubling symptoms, treatment with sublingual or subcutaneous injections (immunotherapy) may be necessary and this will be guided by your allergy specialist.

Complications

Hay fever does not have any serious implications but it can negatively impact quality of life. People may find their productivity levels are lowered due to impact of severe hay fever.

Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis) may arise as a result of hay fever. Furthermore, children may suffer from a middle ear infection (otitis media) due to hay fever.