The Wishing Well Health Blog

Hay fever is the common name for a condition called allergic rhinitis, which means an allergy that affects the nose. Hay fever is caused by the nose and/or eyes coming into contact with environmental allergens, such as pollens, dust mite, moulds and animal hair.

Most people associate hay fever with spring, when airborne grass pollens are at their peak. This is known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or spring hay fever.

Some of the symptoms include:

• sneezing  
• a runny or stuffy nose  
• itchy ears, nose and throat  
• red, itchy or watery eyes  
• headaches.

Symptoms of hay fever can be so severe that a person can’t sleep or concentrate, and may feel tired or unwell.  

Identifying the allergen/s causing the symptoms is an important part of managing hay fever. In some cases the cause may be obvious but in others your doctor will need to consider your medical history together with the results of allergy tests (skin prick tests or allergen specific IgE blood tests), which may require referral to a specialist.

Some medications may help nip spring hayfever in the bud. Visit your GP for advice.

Follow this link to find out more on how to reduce symptoms by controlling your environment. (Information source:  Better Health Channel)

Check out today's pollen count.

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