Hay fever is usually caused by an allergy to pollens of trees, grasses and weeds, or molds. It may occur during the spring or the fall. Hay fever symptoms include sneezing, itching and weeping eyes, stuffy or running nose, and cough. Hay fever is also called allergic rhinitis. Although the allergen in hay fever is usually plant pollen, allergic rhinitis can have other causes. These can be things like feathers, dust or animal dander. Sometimes it is hard to know whether a stuffy nose or itchy eyes are due to pollen or another cause.

People with allergies have developed antibodies through exposure to substances known as allergens. These antibodies circulate in the blood stream and localize in the tissues of the nose and in the skin. Antibodies react with allergens, such as pollen or house dust. When this happens, histamine is released in the blood. This causes the lining of the nose, sinuses, eyelids, and eyes to swell and is known as allergic rhinitis. These allergic attacks may last 15 to 20 minutes, or for several days. People with hay fever may get these symptoms every year when certain plants bloom. For many, hay fever is only a minor problem, for others it interferes with daily activities.

The best way to control the symptoms of hay fever is to avoid the allergens. Staying indoors during pollen season is helpful. This is particularly true on dry windy days when pollen counts are high. In mild cases of hay fever, relief may be provided by over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestant tablets. Be sure to know what the side effects are for any drug you take. You can check with your pharmacist or healthcare provider to see if these drugs may interact with other drugs you are taking.

Avoid chronic use of over-the-counter nasal sprays and drops. With long term use, they can make your nasal congestion worse. The closest thing to a cure for hay fever is a series of shots which expose you to increasing amounts of the allergen over time. The series may take up to three or four years to complete. Some people do not respond to this treatment, while it works for others.

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