Everything you need to know about hay fever

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is a common condition with symptoms similar to those of a cold. There may be sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and sinus pressure.

It is caused by an allergic response to airborne substances, such as pollen. The time of year it happens depends on what substance, or allergen, the person reacts to.

Despite its name, hay fever does not mean that the person is allergic to hay and has a fever. Hay is hardly ever an allergen, and fever is not a symptom.

Allergic rhinitis is the fifth most common disease in the United States (U.S.).

This article is about hay fever, or allergic rhinitis. You can read about non-allergic rhinitis here.

Fast facts on hay fever

Here are some key points about hay fever. More detail is in the main article.

• Allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever, can cause sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, and itching of the nose, eyes or the roof of the mouth.
• In the U.S., 20 million people aged 18 years and over were diagnosed with hay fever in 2016, or 8.2 percent of the adult population. Nine percent of children, or 6.1 million, received a diagnosis.
• Seasonal allergic rhinitis is more common in the spring, summer, and early fall.
• Symptoms are usually caused by allergic sensitivity to pollens from trees, grasses, or weeds, or to airborne mold spores.
• Treatment includes avoiding, eliminating, or decreasing exposure to allergens, medication, and immunotherapy, or allergy shots.

Symptoms

ast facts on hay fever

Here are some key points about hay fever. More detail is in the main article.

• Allergic rhinitis, often called hay fever, can cause sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, and itching of the nose, eyes or the roof of the mouth.
• In the U.S., 20 million people aged 18 years and over were diagnosed with hay fever in 2016, or 8.2 percent of the adult population. Nine percent of children, or 6.1 million, received a diagnosis.
• Seasonal allergic rhinitis is more common in the spring, summer, and early fall.
• Symptoms are usually caused by allergic sensitivity to pollens from trees, grasses, or weeds, or to airborne mold spores.
• Treatment includes avoiding, eliminating, or decreasing exposure to allergens, medication, and immunotherapy, or allergy shots.

• Symptoms

  
  

  
  

  Hay fever is sometimes, but not always, related to pollen.
  Symptoms can start at different times of the year, depending on what substance the patient is allergic to.
  A person who is allergic to a common pollen will have more severe symptoms when the pollen count is high.
  Common symptoms include:
  • sneezing
  • watery eyes
  • itchy throat
  • Severe symptoms may include:
    • sweats
    • headaches
    • loss of smell and taste
    • facial pain caused by blocked sinuses
    • itchiness spreading from the throat to the nose and ears
    Some people may experience tiredness or fatigue, irritability, and insomnia.
    People with asthma may experience more wheezing and breathlessness at times when hay fever symptoms are common.

  • Treatment

    A range of over-the-counter (OTC) treatments can help manage hay fever. Sometimes, a combination of two or three is best. A physician can advise about options.

    Medications

    These include:
    Antihistamine sprays or tablets: Commonly available OTC, these stop the release of the chemical histamine. They usually effectively relieve symptoms of a runny nose, itching, and sneezing, but they will not unblock congested sinuses. Older antihistamines can cause drowsiness.
    Eye drops: These reduce itching and swelling in the eyes. They are usually used alongside other medications. Eye drops often contain cromoglycate.
    Nasal corticosteroids: These sprays treat the inflammation caused by hay fever. They offer a safe and effective long-term treatment. It may take a week for benefits to show.
  • There may be an unpleasant smell or taste, or nose irritation.
    Oral corticosteroids: Severe hay fever symptoms may respond well to prednisone tablets, prescribed by a doctor. These are for short-term use only. Long-term use is linked to cataracts, muscle weakness, and osteoporosis.
    Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy can provide long-term relief by gradually desensitizing the immune system to the allergens that trigger the symptoms. It is usually received in the form of allergy shots or sublingual drops for people whose symptoms are serious and have not cleared up following other treatments.
    Immunotherapy may lead to lasting remission of allergy symptoms, and it may help prevent the development of asthma and new allergies.
    Injections are given by a doctor, but sublingual immunotherapy, or medication that is dissolved under the tongue, can be taken at home.
  • a blocked, itchy, or runny nose