Hay fever
What will happen to me?
The good news about hay fever is that it may get milder as you get older. Sometimes it goes away completely.
1
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.
Studies of children with hay fever show that up to 1 in 5 children outgrow it within 10 years of first getting symptoms.
2
Source:
Rosenwasser LJ.
Treatment of allergic rhinitis.
American Journal of Medicine. 2002; 113: 17-24.
Rosenwasser LJ.
Treatment of allergic rhinitis.
American Journal of Medicine. 2002; 113: 17-24.
Most people who get hay fever find it a nuisance. But for some people, hay fever can make it hard to live a normal life.
3
4 It may stop them sleeping normally and affect their work, school or leisure activities.
5
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:
Storms W, Meltzer EO, Nathan RA, et al.
Allergic rhinitis: the patient's perspective.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 1997; 99 (supplement): S825-S828.
Storms W, Meltzer EO, Nathan RA, et al.
Allergic rhinitis: the patient's perspective.
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 1997; 99 (supplement): S825-S828.
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 hay fever is severe, you may feel like:
6
7
Source:
Meltzer EO.
Quality of life in adults and children with allergic rhinitis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 45-53.
Meltzer EO.
Quality of life in adults and children with allergic rhinitis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 45-53.
Source:
Marshall P.
Effects of seasonal allergic rhinitis on selected cognitive abilities.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2000; 84: 403-418.
Marshall P.
Effects of seasonal allergic rhinitis on selected cognitive abilities.
Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2000; 84: 403-418.
- You can't concentrate
- You can't remember things as well as you usually do
- You can't make decisions as quickly as usual
- You're tired and depressed
- You can't sleep well
- You can't work as well as usual.
Source:
Meltzer EO.
Quality of life in adults and children with allergic rhinitis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 45-53.
Meltzer EO.
Quality of life in adults and children with allergic rhinitis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 45-53.
Children who have hay fever may:
- Find it hard to concentrate at school
- Lose sleep
- Be distracted, tired and cranky
- Feel left out if they can't play outside in the summer
- Find that their symptoms set them apart from their friends.
Source:
Meltzer EO.
Quality of life in adults and children with allergic rhinitis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 45-53.
Meltzer EO.
Quality of life in adults and children with allergic rhinitis.
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 45-53.
Sometimes hay fever can be linked to more serious problems. We've listed the most common ones below. You'll need to see a
doctor if any of these happen to you. Click on the links to find out more.
Sources for the information on this page:
- Conner SJ.Evaluation and treatment of the patient with allergic rhinitis.The Journal of Family Practice. 2002; 51: 883-890.
- Rosenwasser LJ.Treatment of allergic rhinitis.American Journal of Medicine. 2002; 113: 17-24.
- Skoner DP.Allergic rhinitis: definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, detection, and diagnosis.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 2-8.
- Storms W, Meltzer EO, Nathan RA, et al.Allergic rhinitis: the patient's perspective.The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 1997; 99 (supplement): S825-S828.
- Bachert C, van Cauwenberge P.The WHO ARIA (allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma) initiative.Chemical Immunology and Allergy. 2003; 82: 119-26.
- Meltzer EO.Quality of life in adults and children with allergic rhinitis.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2001; 108: 45-53.
- Marshall P.Effects of seasonal allergic rhinitis on selected cognitive abilities.Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2000; 84: 403-418.
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.
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