Hay fever
What are the symptoms of hay fever?
Hay fever affects people in different ways.
You may:
1
2
Source:
Skoner DP.
Allergic rhinitis: definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, detection, and diagnosis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 2-8.
Skoner DP.
Allergic rhinitis: definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, detection, and diagnosis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 2-8.
Source:
Conner SJ.
Evaluation and treatment of the patient with allergic rhinitis.
The Journal of Family Practice. 2002; 51: 883-890.
Conner SJ.
Evaluation and treatment of the patient with allergic rhinitis.
The Journal of Family Practice. 2002; 51: 883-890.
- Sneeze a lot
- Have a runny nose or an itchy nose
- Have a hard time breathing through your nose or feel like it's stuffed up.
Source:
Skoner DP.
Allergic rhinitis: definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, detection, and diagnosis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 2-8.
Skoner DP.
Allergic rhinitis: definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, detection, and diagnosis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 2-8.
Source:
Eriksson NE.
Food sensitivity reported by patients with asthma and hay fever: a relationship between food sensitivity and birch pollen-allergy and between food sensitivity and acetylsalicylic acid intolerance.
Allergy. 1978; 33: 189-196.
Eriksson NE.
Food sensitivity reported by patients with asthma and hay fever: a relationship between food sensitivity and birch pollen-allergy and between food sensitivity and acetylsalicylic acid intolerance.
Allergy. 1978; 33: 189-196.
- Have a dry, tickly cough
- Lose your sense of smell and taste for a short time
- Have itchy, red eyes that water
- Have an itchy throat and feel like the insides of your ears are itchy, too
- Feel pressure and pain over your cheeks and forehead
- Feel run-down and weak
- Wheeze and feel short of breath.
immune system
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
molds
Molds are a type of fungus that can cause health problems. For example, you can get infections caused by molds, or you can have an allergy to molds. If you're allergic to them, you have a reaction when you breathe in tiny seeds they give off (called mold spores).
Molds are a type of fungus that can cause health problems. For example, you can get infections caused by molds, or you can have an allergy to molds. If you're allergic to them, you have a reaction when you breathe in tiny seeds they give off (called mold spores).
Other parts of your body, such as your lungs and eyes, also can become irritated.
You may get different hay fever symptoms at different times of the day.
Some people with hay fever also get an itchy, swollen throat when they eat uncooked fruits that have pits, such as plums and
peaches.
Researchers aren't sure why this is, but these fruits may have things in them that trigger your immune system in the same
way that pollen does.
3 This is called oral allergy syndrome.
Source:
Eriksson NE.
Food sensitivity reported by patients with asthma and hay fever: a relationship between food sensitivity and birch pollen-allergy and between food sensitivity and acetylsalicylic acid intolerance.
Allergy. 1978; 33: 189-196.
Eriksson NE.
Food sensitivity reported by patients with asthma and hay fever: a relationship between food sensitivity and birch pollen-allergy and between food sensitivity and acetylsalicylic acid intolerance.
Allergy. 1978; 33: 189-196.
Cooking fruits with pits before you eat them seems to stop this from happening.
- Some symptoms start suddenly, right after you breathe in pollen or mold spores.
Source:
Naclerio R.
Clinical manifestations of the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 1999; 103: 382-385.
4 Within a few minutes, your nose is likely to start itching and running. You'll probably sneeze a lot, too. - Other symptoms start hours later. Your nose may feel stuffed up, and you may have a hard time breathing through it.
Source:
Skoner DP.
Allergic rhinitis: definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, detection, and diagnosis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 2-8.
1 About half of all people who have hay fever get this.Source:
Naclerio R.
Clinical manifestations of the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 1999; 103: 382-385.
4
You may wonder if you have hay fever or just a cold, but there are differences. To find out more, see What is hay fever?
You may also find it hard to tell if you have hay fever or some other
allergy, such as an allergy to
dust mites or pets. The symptoms are often similar. If you aren't sure, your doctor can run some tests. Remember that if you have hay
fever:
allergy
If you have an allergy to something, your body overreacts when you're around it. The thing you are allergic to is called an allergen. Most allergens are harmless to most people. But if you're allergic to something, your body's system for fighting infection (your immune system) is too sensitive to that allergen. It triggers changes that we call allergic reactions. For example, pollen is an allergen for many people. If you're allergic to pollen, you'll sneeze and have runny eyes when pollen is in the air.
If you have an allergy to something, your body overreacts when you're around it. The thing you are allergic to is called an allergen. Most allergens are harmless to most people. But if you're allergic to something, your body's system for fighting infection (your immune system) is too sensitive to that allergen. It triggers changes that we call allergic reactions. For example, pollen is an allergen for many people. If you're allergic to pollen, you'll sneeze and have runny eyes when pollen is in the air.
dust mites
Dust mites are tiny creatures that live in dust. You can't see them with your naked eye. Many people have an allergy to dust mite droppings.
Dust mites are tiny creatures that live in dust. You can't see them with your naked eye. Many people have an allergy to dust mite droppings.
- You usually have symptoms only at certain times of the year
- You usually get symptoms around the same time every year
- The symptoms normally last for a few weeks or months.
Source:
Skoner DP.
Allergic rhinitis: definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, detection, and diagnosis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 2-8.
Skoner DP.
Allergic rhinitis: definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, detection, and diagnosis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 2-8.
Source:
Conner SJ.
Evaluation and treatment of the patient with allergic rhinitis.
The Journal of Family Practice. 2002; 51: 883-890.
Conner SJ.
Evaluation and treatment of the patient with allergic rhinitis.
The Journal of Family Practice. 2002; 51: 883-890.
Doctors describe hay fever symptoms as being mild, moderate or severe.
5
Source:
Bachert C, van Cauwenberge P.
The WHO ARIA (allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma) initiative.
Chemical Immunology and Allergy. 2003; 82: 119-26.
Bachert C, van Cauwenberge P.
The WHO ARIA (allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma) initiative.
Chemical Immunology and Allergy. 2003; 82: 119-26.
- If your symptoms are mild, it means they may be a nuisance but they don't disturb your sleep, work or school, or other activities.
- If your symptoms are moderate or severe, it means they interfere with things like sleep, work, school, leisure activities or sports.
Sources for the information on this page:
- Skoner DP.Allergic rhinitis: definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, detection, and diagnosis.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 2-8.
- Conner SJ.Evaluation and treatment of the patient with allergic rhinitis.The Journal of Family Practice. 2002; 51: 883-890.
- Eriksson NE.Food sensitivity reported by patients with asthma and hay fever: a relationship between food sensitivity and birch pollen-allergy and between food sensitivity and acetylsalicylic acid intolerance.Allergy. 1978; 33: 189-196.
- Naclerio R.Clinical manifestations of the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 1999; 103: 382-385.
- Bachert C, van Cauwenberge P.The WHO ARIA (allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma) initiative.Chemical Immunology and Allergy. 2003; 82: 119-26.
This information was last updated on May 01, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
The information on ConsumerReportsHealth.org should not be viewed as a substitute for a consultation with a medical or health professional.
The information is meant to enhance communication with your doctor, not replace it. Consumers Union can not be liable for any loss, injury, or other damages related to your use of this information.
Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.
Your use of this information is subject to our User Agreement available at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.
Source: ConsumerReportsHealth.org Copyright © 2005-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
Find a condition
Search
Condition name not found!
