Itchy eyes? Sneezing? Here’s how to deal with hay fever

Hay fever is an illness that causes cold-like signs and symptoms, such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing, and headache and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever is not caused by a virus. If you have hay fever, the best thing to do is to lessen your exposure to the allergens that cause your symptoms. Take allergy medication before you’re exposed to allergens, as directed by your doctor.

Signs and symptoms

• Runny nose and nasal congestion
• Watery, itchy, red eyes
• Sneezing and coughing
• Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
• Swollen, blue-coloured skin under the eyes
• Postnasal drip
• Fatigue

Triggers

• Tree pollen, which is common in early spring.
• Grass pollen, which is common in late spring and summer.
• Ragweed pollen, which is common in fall.
• Dust mites, cockroaches and dander from pets can occur year-round. Symptoms to indoor allergens might worsen in winter, when houses are closed up.
• Spoors from indoor and outdoor fungi and moulds are considered seasonal and perennial. It may be difficult to tell whether you have common cold or hay fever since the signs and symptoms can be similar. Hay fever normally presents with runny nose with thin, watery discharge and no fever, it begins immediately after exposure to allergens and lasts for as long as you are exposed to allergens. Common cold presents with a runny nose with watery or thick yellow discharge; body aches; low-grade fever, which starts 1-3 days after exposure to a cold virus and lasts 3-7 days.

Causes

When you have hay fever, your immune system identifies a harmless airborne substance as harmful. Your immune system then produces antibodies to this harmless substance.

The next time you come in contact with the substance, these antibodies signal your immune system to release chemicals such as histamine into your bloodstream, which cause a reaction that leads to the signs and symptoms of hay fever.

Risk factors

• Exposure to secondary cigarette smoke in first year of life
• Having other allergies or asthma
• Having atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Having a blood relative (such as a parent or sibling) with allergies or asthma
• Living or working in an environment that constantly exposes you to allergens , such as animal dander. Hay fever and symptoms can lead to the following complications
• Reduced quality of life. Hay fever can interfere with your enjoyment of activities and cause you to be less productive.
• Poor sleep/Insomnia  – The symptoms can keep you awake or make it hard to stay asleep, which can lead to fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell.
• Worsening asthma  – Hay fever can worsen signs and symptoms of asthma, such as coughing and wheezing.
• Sinusitis – Prolonged sinus congestion due to hay fever may increase your susceptibility to sinusitis – an infection or inflammation of the membrane that lines the sinuses.
• Ear infection – In children, hay fever often is a factor in middle ear infection (otitis media).

Diagnosis

Consult your doctor, who will take a full medical and exposure history, perform a physical examination, and possibly recommend one or both of the following tests:

Skin prick test – You’re watched for an allergic reaction after small amounts of material that can trigger allergies are pricked into the skin of your arm or upper back. If you’re allergic, you develop a raised bump (hive) at the site of that allergen.

Allergy blood test – A blood sample is sent to a lab to measure your immune system’s response to a specific allergen. Also called the radioallergosorbent test (Rast), this test measures the amount of allergy-causing antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.

Treatment

It’s best to limit your exposure to substances that cause your hay fever as much as possible.

If your hay fever isn’t too severe, over the-counter medications may be enough to relieve symptoms. For worse symptoms, you may need prescription medications.

Many people get the best relief from a combination of allergy medications. The doctor might need to try a few before you find what works best.

Prevention

It’s not possible to completely avoid allergens, but you can reduce your symptoms by limiting your exposure to them.

To avoid pollen or moulds

• Close doors and windows during pollen season. Don’t hang laundry outside as pollen can stick to sheets and towels. Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning, when pollen counts are highest.
• Use air conditioning in your house and car.
• Stay indoors on dry, windy days.
• Use a dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity.
• Avoid mowing the lawn or raking leaves.
• Wear a dust mask when cleaning the house or gardening.

To avoid dust mites

• Use allergy-proof covers on mattresses, box springs and pillows.
• Wash sheets and blankets in water heated to at least (540C).
• Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to reduce indoor humidity.
• Spray insecticide designed to kill dust mites and approved for indoor use on carpets, furniture and bedding.
• Consider removing carpeting, especially where you sleep, if you’re highly sensitive to dust mites.

To avoid cockroaches

• Block cracks and crevices where roaches can enter
• Fix leaky faucets and pipes
• Wash dishes and empty garbage daily
• Sweep food crumbs from counters and floors
• Store food, including pet food, in sealed containers
• Consider professional pest extermination To control pet dander
• Keep pets out of your home, out of the bedroom and off furniture, if possible
• Bathe dogs twice a week, if possible.