Hay fever
Key points
- Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States, affecting about 10 percent of the population.
- Some of the medications used to treat respiratory allergy symptoms include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and eyedrops.
- Many hay fever culprits - or their close relatives - are common across the United States.
- It may be difficult to distinguish hay fever from a cold.
Overview
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States, affecting about 10 percent of the population. The condition may cause you to sniffle, drip and itch your way through the pollen-filled blooming months or while exposed to other allergic triggers.
Symptoms can make life so miserable that many people with allergies dream of finding relief by moving to a different part of the country. Unfortunately, allergies aren't that easy to escape.
Allergy Relief
Some of the medications used to treat respiratory allergy symptoms include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and eyedrops.
What do medications do?
Allegra D
Allegra
Claritin-D
Flonase
Nasacort
Nasacort AQ
Nasonex
Patanol
Zyrtec
Many hay fever culprits - or their close relatives - are common across the United States. If you're prone to allergies, you may begin reacting to new allergens within a year or two.
Fortunately, there are many effective ways to treat hay fever. Medical advances during the past few years have brought new and improved drugs, and allergy shots and lifestyle modifications also can help keep your symptoms under control.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of hay fever may include:
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Frequent sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Itchy eyes, nose, roof of mouth or throat
- Cough
It may be difficult to distinguish hay fever from a cold. If you're not sure what is causing your symptoms, look for these clues:
- A cold tends to last a week or less, while allergy symptoms can persist throughout one or more seasons.
- Fever, body aches, and sore throat are more likely to be caused by a cold.
- Nasal secretions caused by a cold tend to be thicker than those caused by hay fever.
Hay fever reactions are mild in many people. If you're not so lucky, your signs and symptoms can be severe enough to disturb your sleep and trigger asthma attacks.
In asthma, airways in your lungs are inflamed and swollen. Muscles surrounding your airways, irritated by inflammation, tighten and constrict spontaneously. Membranes in airway linings secrete excess ...
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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