More than pollen could be causing allergy symptoms
Q: Should I just accept that I’ll suffer from hay fever during allergy season?
A: Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is a group of symptoms affecting the nose. Don’t be misled by the name — you do not have to be exposed to hay to have symptoms.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, almost 8% of adults have allergic rhinitis in the United States.
The condition develops when the body’s immune system recognizes and overreacts to something in the environment that typically causes no problems in most people. When a sensitive person inhales an allergen, the body’s immune system may react with the following symptoms (listed in order of frequency, per the ACAAI):
› Stuffy nose due to blockage or congestion
› Runny nose or postnasal drainage
› Itching, usually in the nose, mouth, eyes or throat
› Red and watery eyes
› Puffy, swollen eyelids
› Sneezing
› Cough
Symptoms can occur year-round, seasonally or both. Causes for rhinitis can be allergic (i.e. pollen, pet hair) and/or nonallergic (i.e. cigarette smoke and perfumes).
Your best strategy toward treatment is to determine the cause. Your allergist may recommend a skin test, in which small amounts of suspected allergens are introduced into your skin. Skin testing is the easiest, most sensitive and generally least expensive way of identifying allergens.
Treatment options can range from avoidance of allergens to use of medications and/or allergy shots (immunotherapy).
Occasional allergies aren’t just something you have to live with. Consulting with an allergy specialist is the most effective way to diagnose and treat allergic rhinitis symptoms and help you find relief.