H E A LT H
Most of us appreciate springtime for its warmer temperatures and beautiful flowers. For many South Africans, however, spring spells hay fever season and a time of exasperating runny noses, red eyes and an itchy throat.
Hay fever SEASON IS HERE! W
orldwide, hay fever
— affecting work and school
toys, carpets and curtains. Other
is estimated to affect
performance,” he adds.
common allergens include animal
between 10% and 30%
“We therefore recommend
dander, which are tiny flecks of
of the population. Hay fever, or
that more serious cases are not
skin shed by animals such as cats,
allergic rhinitis, is caused by an
left untreated and should be
dogs, birds and other animals; and
allergic reaction to irritants in
managed in consultation with a
fungal spores or moulds, which
the air. While some people suffer
family doctor, ENT specialist or
may grow in, for example, a damp
from the condition all year round,
paediatrician.”
bathroom cupboard.
meaning that it occurs during
WHAT CAUSES HAY FEVER?
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
specific seasons, says Dr Phillip
Dr Coetzee explains that hay
Dr Coetzee says with perennial hay
Coetzee, a paediatrician who
fever is an allergic reaction in
fever the predominant symptoms
practices at Netcare Blaauwberg
individuals, who react to certain
include postnasal drip, persistent
Hospital in Cape Town.
airborne ‘triggers’ or allergens.
nasal congestion and trouble
The risk of developing hay fever is
sleeping.
many experience seasonal rhinitis,
“Hay fever — which results
The common signs and
in the inflammation of the
much higher in people with asthma
nasal passages and a variety of
or eczema, and in those with a
symptoms of seasonal allergic
annoying symptoms, such as the
family history of allergy.
rhinitis include the following:
characteristic stuffy or runny
Seasonal hay fever is usually
• Nose – watery nasal discharge,
nose — is a very common condition
caused by pollens from trees,
blocked nasal passages,
affecting approximately one in five
grasses and weeds. As pollen
sneezing, nasal itching, and
adults and one in three children.
counts from plants are much
postnasal drip with cough, loss
The condition can commence at
higher in spring and summer,
any age, even from as young as one
many more South Africans tend
month,” advises Dr Coetzee.
to seek medical assistance for hay
and dark circles under the eyes,
fever at this time of the year.
which are sometimes called
“While hay fever does not pose
of taste, facial pressure, or pain • Eyes – itchy red eyes, swelling,
‘allergic shiners’
a serious threat to the person’s
Those people who suffer all year
health, in more serious cases it
round (perennial hay fever), on the
can be debilitating and negatively
other hand, tend to have triggers
hoarse voice, congestion or
impact their quality of life —
such as cockroaches, or dust mites,
popping of the ears, itching of
particularly in children, who often
which are tiny creatures that may
the throat or ears
have more severe symptoms
live in mattresses, pillows, soft
• Throat and ears – sore throat,
Continued …
WWW.SILVER DIGEST.CO.ZA
33
