Understanding Hay Fever

About Hay Fever

Hay fever also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis occurs when the affected person has an allergy to pollen. The pollen can be derived from trees, grasses or ragweeds.

Hay fever is a prevalent condition affecting 1 in 4 people in industrialised countries and is more common in the Western world.

The Symptoms

The symptoms of hay fever include an itchy runny nose, itchy watery eyes, congestion of the nasal passage, which can lead to sinus inflammation and infection. 

The Impact

The impact of Hay fever is frequently underplayed and it has a significant impact in relation to outdoor activities, sleep and exam time which mainly occurs in the peak of hay fever season. Hay fever is also a risk factor for developing asthma.

Treatments

The good news is there are treatments for Hay Fever, it is important to identify what is causing your hay fever as there are some disease modifying treatments available.

The corner stone of treatment is allergen identity, trying to minimise exposure where possible, avoiding irritants and treatments where applicable.