{"id":14615,"date":"2020-04-03T07:18:45","date_gmt":"2020-04-03T07:18:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=14615"},"modified":"2021-05-07T16:30:47","modified_gmt":"2021-05-07T16:30:47","slug":"14-frequent-symptoms-of-hay-fever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-frequent-symptoms-of-hay-fever\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Frequent Symptoms of Hay Fever"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hay fever is a common condition that affects close to 18 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, allergic rhinitis is the fifth most common disease in the United States.  In the medical term, hay fever is known as allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies. The hay fever can be seasonal, perennial (year-long), or occupational. This allergic rhinitis refers to irritation or inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
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Hay fever is a type of inflammation in the nose which occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. Some common and usual signs and symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose; sneezing; congestion; sinus pressure; red, itchy, and watery eyes; and swelling around the eyes. The fluid from the nose is usually clear.
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Hay fever 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.
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SOME FREQUENT SYMPTOMS OF HAY FEVER<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1. Sneezing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sneezing <\/a>is your body\u2019s way of removing irritants from your nose or throat. A sneeze is a powerful, involuntary expulsion of air. Sneezing often happens suddenly and without warning. Another name for sneezing is sternutation. While this symptom can be quite annoying, it\u2019s not usually the result of any serious health problem. Part of your nose\u2019s job is to clean the air you breathe, making sure it\u2019s free of dirt and bacteria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, your nose traps this dirt and bacteria in your nasal mucosa. Your stomach then digests the mucus, which neutralizes any potentially harmful invaders. Sometimes, however, dirt and debris can enter your nose and irritate the sensitive mucous membranes inside your nose and throat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When these membranes become irritated, it causes you to sneeze. Sneezing can be triggered by a variety of things, including allergens; viruses, such as the common cold or flu; nasal irritants; inhalation of corticosteroids through a nasal spray; and some due drug withdrawals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Watery Eyes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tears serve several key roles in your body. They keep your eyes lubricated and help to wash away foreign particles and dust. They are also a component of your immune system that protects you against infection<\/a>. Glands under the skin of your upper eyelids produce tears, which contain water and salt. When you blink, tears spread and keep your eyes moist.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you produce too many tears, they overwhelm your tear ducts, and you develop watery eyes. Most of the time, watery eyes resolve without treatment, but the condition can sometimes become a chronic problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like in hay fever condition, wherein symptoms may include itchy, red and watery eyes. Our body\u2019s natural response is to wash the pollen out, which is why some people end up with watery eyes.  They can also become red, itchy and sticky as the immune system reacts. The resulting irritation causes an overproduction of tears that spill out through your tear ducts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Itchy Throat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hay fever <\/a>may be one of the most common causes of an\u00a0itchy throat. As many as 40 to 60 million Americans are affected by it. Allergic rhinitis happens when the body overreacts to an otherwise harmless substance, releasing a chemical called histamine that causes these overreactions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from being a sign of an allergic reaction, the itchy throats can be an early symptom of bacterial or viral infection, too.  This hay fever causes inflammation and irritation in the delicate linings of the nasal passage, throat, and eyes.  An allergic reaction occurs when a substance called an allergen triggers an immune system response in your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of common allergy triggers that can cause an itchy throat include: animal dander. Some remedies are readily available to counteract this irritation, namely: a spoonful of honey to coat the throat, saltwater gargles, lozenges, and cough drops, nasal spray and hot tea with lemon and honey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Runny Nose<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A runny nose is a symptom of many conditions. It is characterized by mucus draining or dripping from the nostril. The mucus<\/a> is a protective substance produced by the mucous membrane. This is a type of tissue lining the nasal cavity. The mucus moistens the air you breathe, and it acts as a barrier to keep dust, pollen, and bacteria out of your lungs. Your nose produces mucus every day, yet you probably don\u2019t notice because it mixes with saliva and drips down the back of your throat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, irritation or inflammation in the nasal passage can lead to increased mucus production. When this happens, excess mucus can drain or drip from the nose.  Symptoms are usually caused by allergic sensitivity to pollens from trees, grasses, or weeds, or to airborne mold spores. And to remedy the runny nose, a gentle saline nasal spray or drops may be used and make it easier to breathe. The saline solution will help soothe the mucous membranes inside the nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Sweating<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A\u00a0hay fever\u00a0sufferer may occasionally experience\u00a0sweating\u00a0and headaches. If you suffer from asthma, this can be made worse by\u00a0hay fever\u00a0and care must be taken to ensure it does not become more serious. Excessive sweating <\/a>can be considered an unusual\u00a0hay fever symptom\u00a0and one that is not often discussed. Abnormal perspiration can occur when your sweat glands become inflamed or are activated by hormones such as adrenalin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, symptoms such as earache, which can cause acute pain, stimulating your sympathetic nervous system – the part of your body responsible for triggering a rush of inflammatory chemicals like adrenalin which ultimately causes you to sweat more.  This is because adrenalin is a type of catecholamine hormone produced in the adrenal glands and when your sympathetic nervous system is activated, adrenalin causes blood to be redirected towards all your major organs. When this happens, you start to sweat more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Headache<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are occasions where allergies or sinus problems can lead to a person to have\u00a0headaches<\/a>.\u00a0 Headaches\u00a0with rhinitis (hay fever) are common and may be due to sinus disease in and around the nasal passages. A sinus\u00a0headache\u00a0is hard to identify since\u00a0headache\u00a0specialists consider true sinus\u00a0headache\u00a0to be fairly rare. There is no formal definition of\u00a0allergy\u00a0or sinus\u00a0headaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, patients often complain of a dull pain of mild to moderate intensity located in regions where the sinuses reside, such as the forehead, between and behind the eyes and cheekbones. To get rid of a headache from hay fever, you can apply a warm, moist washcloth to your face several times a day, drink plenty of fluids to thin the mucus, inhale steam two to four times per day, spray the nose with nasal saline several times per day, and you use a neti pot to flush the sinuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Loss of Smell and Taste<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The loss of the sense of smell is otherwise known as anosmia. This often comes about as a result of an allergy, be it seasonal or otherwise.\u00a0 Some\u00a0loss\u00a0of\u00a0taste\u00a0and\u00a0smell\u00a0is natural with aging, especially after age 60. However, there are other factors that can contribute to\u00a0loss\u00a0of\u00a0taste\u00a0and\u00a0smell, including Nasal and sinus problems, such as allergies, sinusitis or nasal polyps<\/a>. Temporary\u00a0loss\u00a0of the sense of\u00a0smell\u00a0is common with colds and nasal allergies, such as\u00a0hay fever\u00a0(allergic rhinitis). It may also occur after a viral illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the body assesses a substance such as pollen, mold, dust or animal dander, and then deems any of these things to be threatening, histamine is produced. This can result in inflammation (swelling) in the nasal passages which can hamper our sense of smell. Taste is closely linked to smell and so, if anosmia comes about as the result of an allergy, then it is likely that taste will be negatively affected as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Sinus Pressure<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people experience\u00a0sinus pressure\u00a0from seasonal allergies <\/a>or the common cold.\u00a0Sinus pressure\u00a0results from blocked nasal passages. Facial pain is felt due to blocked sinuses. When your\u00a0sinuses\u00a0cannot drain, you may experience inflammation and pain in your head, nose, and face. Your sinuses are paired in two and are found in four main areas of the face: in your forehead (frontal), between your eyes and across your nose (ethmoid), in your cheeks (maxillary), and behind your eyes and along the back of your head (sphenoid).\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The relentless pressure and swelling in your sinuses can give you symptoms of a headache. Sinus pain can also give you earaches, dental pain, and pain in your jaws and cheeks. Sinus headaches are often at their worst in the morning because fluids have been collecting all night long. Your headache can also get worse when the barometric pressure of your environment changes suddenly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Nasal Congestion<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is also called a stuffy nose. This is often a symptom of another health problem such as a sinus infection due to allergy. It may also be caused by the common cold. The allergies can produce many of the same cold-like symptoms but the condition itself, called allergic rhinitis, is different. It is caused by an allergic response to allergens, such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prolonged\u00a0nasal congestion<\/a>\u00a0due to\u00a0hay fever\u00a0may increase your susceptibility to sinusitis.\u00a0 This is an infection or inflammation of the membrane that lines the sinuses. Prescription of nasal sprays help prevent and treat the nasal inflammation, nasal itching and runny nose caused by hay fever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many people, they’re the most effective hay fever medications, and they’re often the first type of medication prescribed. Nasal corticosteroids are a safe, long-term treatment for most people. Side effects can include an unpleasant smell or taste and nose irritation. Steroid side effects are rare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Itchy Ears<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most common causes of\u00a0itching\u00a0are a nervous habit, fungal infection or the beginning of an infection. Other causes can be skin diseases such as psoriasis<\/a> or dermatitis. Some people with allergies complain of\u00a0Itchy ears as well. The\u00a0ear\u00a0canal may be normal on examination or there may be scaling of the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allergies can impact hearing. Allergic rhinitis, more commonly referred to as \u201chay fever,\u201d can cause a variety of symptoms, including itchy eyes, sneezing, a runny nose, a feeling of pressure in the ear, and the sensation that the ear is clogged. If people have persistently itchy ears, they should see a doctor to find out the underlying cause. People may be able to relieve itchiness at home by using a few drops of baby oil or olive oil. Over the counter ear drops may also help. If an infection is causing the ear itchiness, a person may require antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Itchy Eyes<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to having symptoms of sneezing, congestion and a runny nose, most of these allergy sufferers also experience\u00a0itchy eyes, watery eyes,\u00a0red eyes,\u00a0and\u00a0swollen eyelids.\u00a0 Itchy eyes are bothered by the same irritants that cause sneezing and a runny nose among seasonal allergy sufferers of seasonal allergic rhinitis<\/a> (also called\u00a0hay fever) and they are very common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spring weather brings warmer temperatures, sunnier days, cherry blossom floral blooms and greener pastures. For many people though, it also means the start of dreaded hay fever season and the pollen count is high. To get rid of itchy watery eyes during hay fever season and enjoy the sun and fun you may try an anti-allergy mask. An anti-allergy eye mask is a great end-of-the-day treat for your eyes to soothe itchy eyes from hay fever and help you to sleep throughout the night. Also avoiding areas with grass and heavy vegetation is a good idea to prevent the allergy attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Coughing<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another allergic reaction brought about by hay fever is coughing. Coughing <\/a>is a common reflex action that clears your throat of mucus or foreign irritants. While everyone coughs to clear their throat from time to time, a number of conditions can cause more frequent coughing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cough that lasts for less than three weeks is an acute cough. Most episodes of coughing will clear up or at least significantly improve within two weeks. Coughing happens when this watery mucus drips out of your nose and goes down to your throat. This \u201ctickles\u201d the throat and leads to a hay fever cough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This cough usually comes with a constant tickling feeling in the throat. While hay fever and hay fever cough aren\u2019t contagious, they\u2019re uncomfortable and can make you miserable. It will be helpful for a person with hay fever allergy to avoid seasonal hay fever triggers like grass pollen, ragweed pollen, spores that grow from fungi and molds, and tree pollen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Puffy Eyes<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common allergic symptom is swelling around the eyes. This is a result of excess fluid in the soft tissues surrounding the eye. Common causes include crying, lack of sleep, or excessive rubbing of the eyes. Allergic reactions also frequently cause puffy eyes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These allergic reactions may be\u00a0caused\u00a0by pollen (hay fever), animal dander, foods, or medicines. Also, irritation <\/a>from environmental factors such as smoke, smog or dust can result in puffy eyes. The same irritant may also cause significant swelling of the eyelid’s skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your eyes are regularly puffy, it could indicate that you have an eye allergy, eye infection, or style. Some infections and inflammatory conditions associated with puffy eyes can be serious. During an allergic reaction, certain cells in the body release a chemical called histamine. This can cause fluid to leak from blood vessels, resulting in edema and puffiness in surrounding tissues, including around the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Skin Rash<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pollen coming into direct contact with the skin can cause\u00a0hay fever\u00a0sufferers to develop\u00a0rashes\u00a0on the skin, which can look red and raised in mild cases, or blisters <\/a>and cracked skin in more severe incidences but they can be the consequence of a number of allergic reaction besides pollen. Those who suffer dermatitis\u00a0rashes\u00a0may experience allergic reactions throughout spring and summer. However, hives\u00a0can\u00a0occur as a result of\u00a0hay fever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first symptoms you will notice are itchiness and possibly red patches or eruptions on the skin. These look more like welts than bumps, with edges that are clearly defined. The surface of the skin will appear swollen, almost as if you’ve been scalded. They can cause great discomfort to those who experience them, and if they do not respond to over-the-counter medicine you should seek further help. Many of the treatments that you normally use to control your hay fever symptoms can also be beneficial in preventing and treating associated skin rashes<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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