What are Allergies? What is Hay Fever?

What are Allergies? What is Hay Fever?

Allergies can make us miserable, can make us look miserable, and can even be dangerous if a severe reaction occurs. Watery eyes, itchy nose, or swelling of the throat and tongue are not only unpleasant, but they can also be dangerous.

Hay fever Hay fever is a common allergy that is usually active in the spring. This is a problem in the nose that triggers a reaction. The name is misleading, since it actually has no connection to hay. It is also not connected to fever.

Related: Top 10 Tips for Nurses Hay Fever Symptoms • Stuffy nose due to blockage or congestion • Itching, usually in the nose, mouth, eyes, throat or skin • Puffy, swollen eyelids • Sneezing • Cough Triggered by• Cigarette smoke • Strong odors, such as perfume, or hair spray and fumes • Cosmetics • Laundry detergents • Cleaning solutions, pool chlorine, car exhaust and other air pollutants (i.e., ozone) There are two types of allergic rhinitis: • Seasonal: Symptoms can occur in spring, summer and early fall.

They are usually caused by sensitivity to airborne mold spores or to pollens from trees, grasses or weeds.

• Perennial: Symptoms occur year-round and are generally caused by sensitivity to dust mites, pet hair or dander, cockroaches or mold.

Allergic rhinitis can cause• Decreased concentration and focus • Limited activities • Decreased decision-making capacity • Impaired hand-eye coordination • Problems remembering things • Irritability • Sleep disorders • Fatigue • Missed days of work or school

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More motor vehicle accidents More school or work injuries

Children can be very moody during allergy season. With proper treatment systems can be kept under control, however, some of the medications can cause severe drowsiness.

Nonprescription decongestant nasal sprays work within minutes and last for hours, but you should not use them for more than a few days at a time unless instructed by your allergist. Prolonged rebound swelling of the nasal tissue can be a problem. Stopping the use of the decongestant nasal spray will cure that swelling, provided that there is no underlying disorder.

Oral decongestants are a good choice and available over-the-counter (OTC) and as prescription medications, this may be the treatment of choice for nasal congestion. They should be avoided by anyone with high blood pressure. Saline sprays may be an option, it is somewhat like washing out the nasal cavities, similar to a Neti pot.

Related: How to Leave a Difficult Day Behind Allergy shots: A treatment program, which can take three to five years, consists of injections of a diluted allergy extract, administered frequently in increasing doses until a maintenance dose is reached. Then the injection schedule is changed so that the same do+given with longer intervals between injections. Immunotherapy helps the body build resistance to the effects of the allergen, reduces the intensity of symptoms caused by allergen exposure and sometimes can actually make skin test reactions disappear. As resistance develops over several months, symptoms should improve.

Sublingual tablets: This type of immunotherapy was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2014. Starting several months before allergy season begins, patients dissolve a tablet under the tongue daily. Treatment can continue for as long as three years. Only a few allergens (certain grass and ragweed pollens) can be treated now with this method, but it is a promising therapy for the future.

Eye allergy preparations may be helpful when the eyes are affected by the same allergens that trigger rhinitis, causing redness, watery eyes and itching. OTC eyedrops and oral medications are commonly used for shortterm relief of some eye allergy symptoms. They may not relieve all symptoms, though, and prolonged use of some of these drops may actually cause your condition to worsen.

Prescription eyedrops and oral medications also are used to treat eye

allergies. Prescription eye drops provide both short- and long-term targeted relief of eye allergy symptoms, and can be used to manage them.

Treatments that are not recommended for allergic rhinitis Antibiotics: Effective for the treatment of bacterial infections, antibiotics do not affect the course of allergies Occupational rhinitis, or work-related rhinitis, is a condition in which symptoms are triggered or further aggravated by allergens in the workplace. These symptoms can include sneezing, a runny nose and watering eyes. Common triggers include cleaning products, chemical fumes, certain types of dust, and gases.

If your allergy symptoms appear at work, or seem to get worse there, call your allergist, who can help you identify potential triggers and develop a treatment plan.

Allergies are no worse in the southern states, depending on what you are allergic to, although the yellow pollen that comes from southern pine trees can be a big trigger for various allergies. The best way to avoid severe allergies is to avoid spending time outdoors in the early mornings, and wash hair daily during allergy season. Take prescribed allergy medication prior to an allergy attack; this may help you avoid it.

During peak allergy days keep windows closed and run an air conditioner; make sure filters are clean to catch small particles that can cause allergies.

Allergies can be controlled for the most part. See a doctor or allergy specialist if allergies begin to dominate your days. There has been speculation that local honey helps prevent an allergy attack, but this has not been proven to be accurate.

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