What is hay fever? Symptoms and tips from a Providence expert
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Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, is an allergic response to environmental substances like pollen, mold and dust mites. About 25% to 30% of adults in the U.S. have hay fever.
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Hay fever symptoms are similar to those of a common cold. They can include a runny or stuffed up nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, coughing and trouble breathing.
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A variety of treatments can help relieve symptoms of hay fever. Among them: medications like antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, nasal irrigation and immunotherapy.
What is hay fever? Symptoms and tips.
You’ve probably heard of hay fever, but did you know it’s actually a misnomer? People used to think that the smell of new hay caused the runny nose and itchy eyes common with hay fever. Today we know that’s false. You also don’t get a fever from hay fever.
According to the National Institutes of Health, hay fever affects approximately 25% to 30% of American adults, and it’s particularly common in spring and summer. Although it can make you uncomfortable, it typically doesn’t cause serious health problems. Let’s take a closer look.
Understanding hay fever
Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is an allergic reaction. There are two types of hay fever allergies, and people can have one or both:
- Seasonal hay fever has triggers like mold and pollen from trees, grass and weeds. It’s common in spring, summer and early fall when trees and weeds bloom and pollen counts are high.
- Perennial hay fever comes from a reaction to dust mites, mold, cockroaches and pet dander. It can affect you year-round, but it may be worse in winter when you spend more time indoors.
Goutam Shome, M.D., an allergist and immunologist at Covenant Medical Group – Southwest Medical Park, points out that hay fever can be inherited.
“There’s a hereditary component to hay fever,” he says. “If one parent has a history of allergic diseases, you have a 30% chance of getting one. If both parents have allergies, you have a 70% chance of having them.”
Hay fever symptoms
For most people, allergens like pollen and mold are harmless. But if you have hay fever allergies, your immune system perceives these allergens as dangerous.
It responds by releasing a chemical called histamine into your bloodstream to protect you. That can lead to many symptoms. Common hay fever symptoms include:
- Coughing, wheezing and trouble breathing
- Fatigue
- Headaches, sinus pressure and dark circles under your eyes
- Itchy, watery and red eyes
- Nasal congestion, sneezing and runny nose
- Sore throat
These signs are similar to those of a cold. But itchy, watery and red eyes are common with allergies, and a cold is more likely to cause body aches and a low fever. Plus, colds tend to go away within a week, but allergies may linger until exposure to the allergen stops. In fact, hay fever can be chronic and last for months.
Hay fever allergies are similar to other allergies. But these allergies may have triggers that aren’t environmental or in the air. These allergens can include food, medicine, skin care products and more. Contact with these substances can be avoided. Allergic reactions to them can include rashes, anaphylactic shock, nausea and more severe symptoms.
Many people with hay fever can manage mild symptoms on their own with over-the-counter products. But people with significant, ongoing symptoms should see their doctor.
“If you’re using over-the-counter treatments and not getting relief, an allergist can help,“ Dr. Shome says. “Or when symptoms are severe enough that they’re impacting your quality of life or disrupting your work, school or sleep, it’s time to go to the doctor.”
Some people may experience a progression, or a worsening of hay fever symptoms, over time. “Initially, symptoms might be in the nose and sinuses,” Dr. Shome adds. “But then they can move into the ears or cause asthma. That requires a doctor visit.”
How to treat hay fever
To diagnose hay fever, an allergist performs a physical exam and asks about your health history. They may also do a blood test or an allergy test like a skin prick test. In a skin prick test, the doctor places small drops of different allergens on your skin. If you have an allergy to a particular substance, your skin becomes red and swollen in that area.
There are a variety of treatments for hay fever. Your doctor may combine a few to give you the best results.
Medications
Many medicines are available without a prescription. If you need a stronger dosage, your doctor may prescribe medication.
- Antihistamines: These work by blocking histamine to relieve sneezing and a runny nose. They can be in the form of pills, nasal sprays or eye drops.
- Decongestants: These pills, liquids or sprays help reduce nasal stuffiness and pressure.
- Leukotriene pathway inhibitors: This prescription medicine blocks leukotriene, which can cause symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
- Steroids: Available in pill or nasal spray form, corticosteroids decrease congestion and discomfort from an itchy, runny nose.
Natural remedies
Some people try alternative treatments for hay fever symptoms. Although anecdotal evidence may show these can help, there aren’t scientific studies to support their use, according to Dr. Shome.
- Acupuncture: This can reduce inflammation and help regulate your body’s immune response.
- Herbal remedies and supplements: These include taking honey, fish oil, capsicum or vitamin C.
- Nasal irrigation: Rinsing your nasal passages with saline flushes out mucus and allergens.
- Nasal sprays: Saline nasal sprays function like nasal irrigation.
Long-term management options
Hay fever can last for a long time and return after treatment. Immunotherapy is an effective way to manage hay fever.
Also known as desensitization, immunotherapy takes three to five years to complete. Your doctor gives you a series of injections of a small amount of the allergen. Over time, the amount of the allergen in the shots increases. Eventually, your body develops immunity and stops responding to the allergen.
Oral immunotherapy works the same way, but comes in a pill that you place under your tongue.
“When you work with a board-certified allergy immunologist, immunotherapy has an 80% success rate for significant improvement of symptoms,” Dr. Shome says, “and up to 50% of people have stoppage of progressive symptoms that can lead to asthma.”
He adds that people can continue immunotherapy as needed over decades, as there are no long-term side effects.
Preventing and living with hay fever
Because hay fever is a response to allergens, avoiding these allergens should prevent it. But that’s often easier said than done, Dr. Shome points out.
“It’s very hard to prevent exposure to environmental triggers like tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen,” he says. “You can minimize exposure by staying indoors or by wearing a mask outdoors during pollen season. But while we advise avoidance, we know that it’s impossible.”
Dr. Shome and other experts recommend tips to help limit hay fever symptoms. These include:
- Avoiding gardening, mowing the lawn or raking leaves in the early morning when pollen counts are high
- Installing an allergy-grade filter in your home ventilation system
- Keeping windows and doors closed and running air conditioning
- Putting a pollen filter in your car and vacuum cleaner
- Running a dehumidifier in your house
- Showering and changing your clothes after being outside
- Using “mite-proof” covers for your pillows, mattresses and box springs
- Wearing sunglasses and a hat outside
Hay fever may be a drag, but treatment options are available. Providence has allergy specialists near you who can help you manage hay fever and find relief.
Contributing caregiver
Goutam Shome, M.D., is an allergist and immunologist at Covenant Medical Group – Southwest Medical Park in Lubbock, Texas.
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Related resources
Quick and effective ways to get rid of allergies
Asthma & allergies: take control of your symptoms
Getting a good night’s sleep with seasonal allergies
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional’s instructions.
