Hay Fever
(Allergic Rhinitis)

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Medical Reviewing Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is hay fever?
• Why does an allergic reaction occur?
• What causes allergic rhinitis?
• When and where does allergic rhinitis occur?
• How are allergies identified?
• How are allergies treated?
• Hay Fever At A Glance
• Related Hay Fever articles:
  Hay Fever - on WebMD
  Hay Fever - on eMedicineHealth

Hay fever affects one in every five Americans. Over one billion dollars are spent each year in this country to treat this disorder. Millions of school and work days each year are lost suffering from hay fever symptoms. These figures are probably an underestimate because many sufferers attribute their discomfort to a chronic cold. Although childhood hay fever tends to be more common, this condition can occur at any age and usually occurs after years of repeated inhalation of allergic substances.

10 Ways to Manage Your Hay Fever Symptoms Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR "Hay fever" (seasonal allergic rhinitis) affects over 20% of the people living in the U.S. Most common in early spring, the symptoms of hay fever develop as a reaction to allergens (allergy-causing substances) in the air, most notably to pollens in the early spring. Other examples of airborne allergens include mold spores, dust, and animal dander. Pollen consists of the minuscule, male cells of flowering plants. Pollen from garden flowers usually doesn't cause allergies, since this type of pollen is large and waxy and most often carried by insects. Small, light, dry pollens produced by trees, grasses, and weeds can disseminate with the wind and lead to allergic symptoms. Your doctor can help you determine whether treatments are necessary, such as prescription or non-prescription antihistamines to control the symptoms of hay fever. Whether or not you take medication for hay fever, you can still take steps to reduce the severity of your symptoms. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) has some useful tips for those who suffer from seasonal allergies... Find out how to manage hay fever symptoms » Top Searched Hay Fever Terms: symptoms, treatment, causes, injection, relief, medicine, define, allergic rhinitis, allergy, hayfever

What is hay fever?

"Hay fever" is a misnomer. Hay is not a usual cause of this problem and it does not cause fever. Early descriptions of sneezing, nasal congestion, and eye irritation while harvesting field hay promoted this popular term. Many substances cause the allergic symptoms noted in hay fever and hay represents only a small percentage. "Allergic rhinitis" is the correct term used to describe this allergic reaction. Rhinitis means "irritation of the nose" and is a derivative of "Rhino," meaning nose. Allergic rhinitis which occurs during a specific season is called "seasonal allergic rhinitis". When it occurs throughout the year, it is called "perennial allergic rhinitis."

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, frequently include nasal congestion, a clear runny nose, sneezing, nose and eye itching, and tearing eyes. Post nasal dripping of clear mucus frequently causes a cough. Loss of smell is common and loss of taste occurs occasionally. Nose bleeding may occur if the condition is severe. Observers of the person experiencing allergic rhinitis will commonly notice frequent rubbing of the nose using the index finger. This is the so called "allergic salute." Eye itching, redness, and tearing frequently accompany the nasal symptoms. The eye symptoms are referred to as "allergic conjunctivitis" (inflammation of the whites of the eyes). These allergic symptoms often interfere with one's quality of life and total health. Allergic rhinitis can lead to other diseases such as sinusitis and asthma. Many allergic people have difficulty with social and physical activities. For example, concentration is often difficult while experiencing allergic rhinitis.

Why does an allergic reaction occur?

An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system attacks a usually harmless substance called an "allergen" that gains access to the body. To more simply describe this complex immune process, we will make an analogy to a war within the body. The immune system calls upon a protective substance called "immunoglobulin E" or "IgE" antibodies (for erythema or redness) to fight these invading allergic substances or allergens. Even though everyone has some IgE, an allergic person has an unusually large army of these IgE defenders - in fact, too many for his/her own good. This army of IgE antibodies attacks and engages the invading army of allergic substances of allergens.

As is often the case in war, innocent bystanders are affected by this battle. These innocent bystanders are special cells called "Mast" cells. These cells are frequently injured during the warring of the IgE antibodies and the allergic substances. When a mast cell is injured, it releases a variety of strong chemicals into the tissues and blood. These chemicals frequently cause allergic reactions. One of the chemicals released by the mast cells is histamine. These chemicals are very irritating and cause itching, swelling, and fluid leaking from cells. Through various mechanisms, these allergic chemicals can cause muscle spasm and can lead to lung and throat tightening as is found in asthma and loss of voice.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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